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Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is excited to see the top-flight finally restart but admits football will not be "back with a capital B" until supports are able to return to stadiums. The first Premier League games since March will be played this evening after a three-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with Aston Villa facing Sheffield United and Manchester City hosting Arsenal.
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All remaining 92 fixtures will be played behind closed doors, with mass gatherings banned due to social distancing measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“It is going to be an odd experience without fans at the stadia,” said Masters.
“We are going to start to witness it from Wednesday evening and the Premier League won't be back with a capital B until fans are back.”
The Premier League is involved in discussions with the government over the return of supporters.
Premier League fixtures: When is the next PL match? (Image: GETTY)
But the initial talks which took place last week have not gone beyond the conditions that would be necessary to contemplate the phased reopening of stadiums.
Masters, though, is happy for the top-flight to be at the forefront in any pilot projects.
"It would be wrong for me to start making predictions about when fans might be allowed back in the stadium and on what basis whether it's phased or otherwise," he said.
"But those discussions have started across sports and we are active participants in them. We are keen to offer our experiences, and club perspective to act as guinea pigs for any particular experiments.
Premier League fixtures: The Premier League table as of June 17 (Image: PL)
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"We're very happy to do all of that, as far as we're concerned we would like it to happen as soon as it's safe and appropriate to do so."
Masters admitted it has been a difficult journey back for the Premier League but was now confident about the measures put in place.
"I'm feeling really excited," he said.
"It's the culmination of a lot of hard work, a lot of consultation, with clubs, with players, with managers, with other organisations, and particularly the government.
Premier League fixtures: Aston Villa kick off the Premier League restart on June 17 (Image: PA)
Premier League fixtures: Pep Guardiola's side host the second match of the restart (Image: PA)
"Those early weeks of uncertainty have been replaced, step by step, with a growing confidence that we could get to this point. I think the real prize is completing the season.
"We have to be careful, we have to observe the new normal, the new rules and regulations that have been put in place.
"We're confident the clubs and the players and staff involved will do that."
The Premier League has confirmed the fixture schedule for the opening three rounds of matches.