Portsmouth players can 'opt out' of training as move towards return gathers pace

And the process of gearing up for games restarting will be organised through a two-step process which will culminate in the allowance of ‘social clustering in a training environment.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport yesterday issued guidance to governing bodies, which has been filtered down to EFL members after they were told last night not to resume training before May 25.

The document named ‘Elite sport return to training guidance: step one’ outlines a return to organised training while adhering to social distancing at venues like the Blues’ Roko base in Hilsea.

That is as part of a move towards a second step which will give the green light to do things like tackling in sessions, once the government agrees it’s safe to do so.

Interestingly, players are expected to have actively ‘opted in’ to begin training after being informed of the risks they are undertaking, and are expected to be able to ‘opt out’ without there being any recourse.

Players are also expected to be screened for Covid-19 symptom being each entry to a training environment.

Clubs also have to name a Covid-19 officer and medical officer to action the strict guidance and protocols put in place.