Tackling will be banned, and pitches will be disinfected when the English Premier League starts a first phase of team training.

Players will also be restricted to groups of five.

Official protocols sent to players and managers on Tuesday states social distancing must be “strictly observed”, foreign media reported.

Corner-flags, balls, cones, goalposts and even playing surfaces will be disinfected after each session.

League bosses hope training can begin on Monday.

Each session will be restricted to 75 minutes.

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