Football: Sergio Aguero claims players are 'scared' over English Premier League return

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero says players are "scared" about the prospect of returning to action amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The English Premier League (EPL) has been suspended since mid-March because of the global pandemic, but on Saturday (NZ time) clubs "reconfirmed their commitment" to finishing the 2019-20 season at a shareholders' meeting

Football leagues in France and the Netherlands have already been cancelled, with Paris Saint-Germain awarded the Ligue 1 title, while no winner was declared in the Eredivisie.

Meanwhile, teams in Germany have been back training, as they plot a return behind closed doors next month, although the Bundesliga must first secure the green light from the government.

The 20 EPL clubs swapped ideas on the possible plans for resuming training and eventually a return to playing matches under the title 'Project Restart'. This would look at a possible return date of June 8 with all games behind closed doors, and another option was to discuss the possibility of using neutral venues, but only "when it is safe and appropriate to do so".

Despite that, Aguego has expressed concerns about returning to the field. 

"The majority of players are scared because they have children and families," he told Argentine TV station El Chiringuito.

"I'm scared, but I'm with my girlfriend here and I'm not going to be in contact with other people. I'm locked in my house and the only person I could infect is my girlfriend.

"They're saying that there are people that have it and don't have any symptoms but still infect you. That's why I am here at home. Maybe I have the illness and I don't even know."

Aguero added that his Manchester City teammates will be "quite nervous and extra careful" when they return to work.

"When one person is ill we will think, 'Oh, what's happening here?' I hope a vaccine will be found soon so that this all ends."

City currently trail Liverpool in the standings by 25 points. 

Meanwhile, clubs are expected to vote on the season restart next week when the UK Government must review the current lockdown.

Return-to-training protocols, which include wearing face masks or snoods, were presented to clubs. Teams will consult with playing and management staff on the proposals, which are still subject to approval.

"The league and clubs are considering the first tentative moves forward and will only return to training and playing with Government guidance, under expert medical advice and after consultation with players and managers," the EPL said in a statement.

"The league welcomed the creation of the Government medical working group for a return of elite sport, which met for the first time this morning.

 "The clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finishing the 2019-20 season, maintaining integrity of the competition and welcomed the Government's support."