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Watford are the latest Premier League club to oppose games at neutral grounds

Watford chairman Scott Duxbury says they're opposed to Premier League games being played at neutr...



Watford are the latest Premier...
Soccer

Watford are the latest Premier League club to oppose games at neutral grounds

Watford chairman Scott Duxbury says they're opposed to Premier League games being played at neutral venues, claiming it would create a "distorted nine-game mini-league".

The Hornets have joined Aston Villa and Brighton in voicing their opposition to the "Project Restart" proposal which would see the remaining 92 English top-flight matches staged at neutral grounds.

With Watford locked in a relegation battle, Duxbury says they have to look after their own interests ahead of another meeting of Premier League clubs on Monday.

"There is no altruism in the Premier League," he said. "There are 20 different vested interests, which sometimes align but more often than not work purely to protect each individual club.

"That is why some clubs are happy to sign up to 'Project Restart' because arguably there is only an upside in participating in this compromised format; it means Liverpool can win the title, other clubs can book their place in Europe next season or potentially fight their way up the table from a position of safety.

"But when at least six clubs - and I suspect more - are concerned about the clear downside and the devastating effects of playing in this kind of distorted nine-game mini-league, then I believe the Premier League has a duty of care to address those concerns.

"If we start and finish a whole season under these conditions and at neutral venues when everybody knows the rules when we start, not created in a time of crisis, then that is clearly fair.

"To be asked to finish a quarter of the season under new rules and conditions is an entirely different proposition."

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