Mark Catlin makes Portsmouth training date admission

Mark Catlin admits he is unable to pinpoint a training return for Pompey.
Pompey's training base has been empty since mid-March following the coronavirus crisis. Picture: Habibur RahmanPompey's training base has been empty since mid-March following the coronavirus crisis. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Pompey's training base has been empty since mid-March following the coronavirus crisis. Picture: Habibur Rahman

The Blues’ chief executive has reiterated that the date of football’s potential resumption remains solely in the hands of Boris Johnson’s government.

Football League chairman Rick Parry last week revealed proposals for clubs to train no earlier than May 16.

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Although not an unrealistic target, Catlin believes the situation is out of their control.

Instead football chiefs will continue to fall into line – until granted the all-clear by the government.

Catlin said: ‘We are in a holding phase at the moment, working on different scenarios.

‘Until we are told by the government, it’s out of our hands in regards to when can there be a resumption in training, when can there be a resumption in playing games and when can there be a resumption of fans back in stadiums.

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‘Until we know the answer to the first of those (training), it’s difficult to plan or speculate.

‘It is down to the government. Given all we have gone through in the last few months, they will only do so when they consider it safe for different industries to recommence ‘normality’.

‘This isn’t a decision the EFL can take, this isn’t a decision individual clubs can take, or Fifa or Uefa.

‘We can prepare for coming out the other side of this, whenever that may be. But, ultimately, the big decisions are going to be governed by the government.

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‘We are like every other business out there, everyone is in a holding pattern just waiting for news. It’s out of our control.

People individually can train, they can train as long as they use the government guidelines and there is social distancing.

‘In regards of group training sessions put on by the club, however, at this moment in time that is on hold as well.’

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