As the English Premier League resumes June 17 since its suspension in March occassioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, Players and coaching staff will not be required to wear masks at stadiums, changing room or on the bench unlike Bundesliga where masks use is mandated with exemption during play.
Players will be encouraged not to spit or clear their noses and not to break social distancing during goal celebrations.
A system of sterilised replacement balls will be used as there will be no ball boys or girls.
The league will resume on Wednesday when Aston Villa host Sheffield United at 18:00 BST, with Manchester City v Arsenal at 20:15.
The fixture schedule for the first three rounds was confirmed on Friday, with 33 of the remaining 92 matches to be shown on free-to-air platforms.
On Thursday the Premier League announced there will be a minute’s silence to remember those who have died with coronavirus before the first matches as Heart-shaped badges in tribute to frontline NHS staff will also be worn on kits.
Clubs agreed to a range of medical and operational protocols for the restart of the season at a meeting on Thursday.
There will be strict limits on those allowed into stadiums on matchdays and grounds will be split into zones, including the tunnel and pitchside.
In total only 300 people will be in each stadium, with no more than 110 in the ‘red zone’ including players, club staff and officials.
There will be deep cleaning of corner flags, goalposts, substitution boards and match balls before and after each fixture.
Some extra disinfection, such as of the substitution board after it is used, is likely to take place during matches and at half-time, while other work will be carried out during drinks breaks if they are permitted by the league.
The medical protocols stipulate how squads and coaching staff must travel to and from games, observing social distancing.
Clubs will be encouraged to fly on longer away trips to limit use of hotels, and every player and coach will be temperature checked before they arrive at the stadium.
Players will have to hand sanitise when they enter and leave the field of play.
