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Liverpool’s Anfield ground may not witness Premier League action again this season

The 2019-20 Premier League season could be cancelled if clubs do not agree to play in neutral venues, says League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan.

A vote is set to take place on Monday on proposals for a return to football.

The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bevan says “time isn’t on our side and training needs to be in place very soon” for a return by 12 June.

All 20 clubs are committed to playing the 92 remaining fixtures of the 2019-20 season if and when it is safe to do so.

However, Brighton have said they are “not in favour” of using neutral venues because it may affect the “integrity” of the league.

The neutral stadium proposal needs 14 out of the 20 clubs to vote in favour for it to be adopted.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to update the UK’s position on lockdown and the plan for easing measures on Sunday.

Asked if a vote against neutral venues would lead to the season’s cancellation, Bevan told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Yes, I think that probably is correct.”

He added: “The government, if they haven’t already, will be making it clear that home matches with densely populated stadia, really puts into question whether social distancing rules can be adhered to.”

What are the plans for a return?

The Premier League’s plans – dubbed Project Restart – involve a return to action in June in order to complete the season at the end of July to fit in with Uefa’s European competition plans.

This would require full training to begin by 18 May.

The league would also need up to 40,000 tests for players and staff if plans to play the outstanding games behind closed doors are pursued.

On Friday, after their most recent meeting by video conference, Premier League clubs reiterated a commitment to resuming the season “when safe and appropriate to do so”.

Who has concerns about a restart?

A number of Premier League club doctors have raised a range of concerns with league bosses over plans to resume the season.

One issue that the senior medics have sought assurances over includes their own liability and insurance cover if players contract the virus.

The 20 club doctors have been holding their own discussions about Project Restart with a view to feeding their thoughts over medical protocols, testing and player welfare.

“The medical and operational protocols are going to be presented to the managers on calls, and indeed the players,” Bevan added.

“Hopefully, there will be solutions that create this safe environment.

“Football must not occupy any NHS resources, it must not impinge on the capacity of the health and emergency services. But it covers testing, tracking, PPE available, clear guidelines on social distancing, and obviously a safe environment to train and play.

“There will be guidance on cardiology, mental and emotional well-being. And I think the message really is that health is a guiding principle to any decision-making.”

What about safety concerns among players?

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has spoken out to say players are “scared” about returning to action amid the coronavirus outbreak.

On returning to training, players will be tested for the virus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day.

There will also be extra precautions for players at training, including wearing protective equipment and not showering or eating on premises.

Bevan says no players would be forced into playing when it is not safe to do so.

“I think as long as we have maximum information and good protocol documents, players will make their own decisions and same for managers. And they’ll be looking at best practice,” he added.

“If we do get that information clearly and well-presented and governments are clear as well, there’ll be some good decision-making – from a manager perspective. I don’t think that would be coercing players at all.”

More complication for the Premier League – Analysis

The reluctance of some clubs to play at neutral grounds presents the Premier League with a headache.

In pure numbers terms, 14 of the 20 need to vote in favour of a proposal for it to be carried.

However, all the way through the Covid-19 outbreak, the Premier League has tried to remain united – as it still is in an overall desire to complete the season.

Given the six clubs at the bottom of the table are the ones most resistant to the neutral games idea, if the rest vote in favour, it will happen.

But that would open up grievances that would not easily be settled – and given three of these clubs, Aston Villa, Brighton and West Ham, play at grounds that fulfil the criteria around accessibility the Premier League is looking for in the eight to 10 stadiums that it uses, it would mean some very awkward conversations having to take place.

As has happened so often over the past couple of months, what seems a straightforward situation becomes complicated very quickly.

Entertainment Gists

“Lagos Gave Me My Greatest Successes and Deepest Heartbreak”: Cuppy Opens Up in New IFEOLUWA Documentary

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On her birthday, Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola invites viewers beyond the public image and into a more personal story of home, family, identity and purpose.

For years, Nigerians have known Florence “Cuppy” Otedola as the internationally recognised DJ and philanthropist with the famous pink hair and vibrant public personality. This birthday, she is inviting audiences to see a side of her that rarely takes centre stage.

Released on 11 November 2026, her new 12 minute documentary, IFEOLUWA, follows Cuppy back to Lagos, the city that shaped her and remains close to her heart. It is also, as the film explores, a place connected to some of her greatest successes and deepest heartbreak.

The title IFEOLUWA means “The Love of God”. Rather than another glamorous birthday celebration, Cuppy is marking the occasion by sharing a more reflective portrait of the woman behind the spotlight. The film explores womanhood, ambition, identity, belonging and the ongoing process of becoming.

There are tender moments, too. Viewers see Cuppy not just as a public figure, but as a daughter, sister and granddaughter. Her time with her grandmother offers an especially intimate glimpse of the affection and family ties at the heart of her story.

The documentary also captures an evolution that audiences may already have noticed. The signature pink hair has given way to a new look and a more grounded chapter, with faith, education and service increasingly central to how Cuppy speaks about her future. It is not a rejection of music, but a fuller picture of the person behind it.

Her philanthropic work remains an important part of that picture. Through the Cuppy Foundation, she has helped raise more than $17 million to support displaced children in Nigeria in partnership with Save the Children. She has also established education funds at the University of Oxford, New York University and King’s College London to help students overcome financial barriers, particularly those from Africa.

Alongside this work, Cuppy remains active as an international DJ, with performances including Glastonbury, Wireless Festival and Cannes Lions, as well as events during United Nations General Assembly week.

At its heart, IFEOLUWA is about more than a familiar celebrity image. It is a personal homecoming and an invitation to understand how family, faith, Lagos and lived experience are shaping Cuppy’s next chapter.

Watch IFEOLUWA on YouTube

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Druppythekid Set to release New Two-Track Pack

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Nigerian emerging artist Druppythekid is set to release his new two-track pack, No Love and LA LA LA (Serenade), on November 13, 2026, delivering a message of ambition, self-belief, and defiance in the face of criticism.

Originally from Kwara State and based in Lagos, Druppythekid developed a love for rap, hip-hop, and pop music as a teenager. Introduced to poetry in high school, he found a natural connection between words and rap, eventually joining a rap group before exploring music production at university. After graduation, he began rapping over his own beats, turning his passion into a growing musical pursuit.

On “No Love,” Druppythekid speaks to the determination required to chase dreams despite doubt and opposition. “LA LA LA (Serenade)” takes a more unapologetic approach, dismissing the opinions of those who never believed in him.

Together, the two records reflect one central message: keep pursuing your vision and never let the opinions of others define your journey.

No Love and LA LA LA (Serenade) arrive on major digital streaming platforms on November 13, 2026.

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Entertainment Gists

Who Is Chinwe Zoe? The Nigerian Gospel Singer Behind “Undeniable

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Chinwe Zoe, a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, began recording music in December 2025 after years of singing in church and at home. Less than a year later, she has released three singles, including “Chinwendum”, featuring gospel singer Frank Edwards, “Undeniable” and “Jesus Don Win”, her October 2026 release produced by Masterkraft.

For Zoe, the decision to record was connected to a personal experience that changed how she viewed her life and faith. She has described it as a near-death experience that left her with a renewed sense of gratitude. “In that moment, when I thought it was over, God showed me mercy,” she said. “He gave me victory. And that victory was too loud to keep inside.”

Her debut, “Chinwendum”, was released in December 2025 with Frank Edwards featured on the record. She followed it with “Undeniable” on May 7, 2026. The song’s official video has recorded more than 460,000 views on YouTube. In October, she released “Jesus Don Win”, produced by Masterkraft, with a video directed by Avalon Okpe.

Zoe’s approach to songwriting draws on personal experiences and scripture. She has said that she does not begin the process by searching for a melody, but by waiting for a message that she can develop into a song. She describes a process in which an experience or scripture stays with her until it takes musical form. The melody follows, and she hums it before committing anything to writing.

Her guiding principle is that a gospel song should be accessible to listeners while remaining suitable for congregational worship. “It should be simple enough for a child to sing and strong enough for a choir to carry,” she said.

Zoe has identified CeCe Winans, Nathaniel Bassey and Dunsin Oyekan among the musicians whose work has influenced her. She sings in English and Igbo, and occasionally in Pidgin, drawing on the worship tradition in her musical expression.

“Every song I sing comes from a place I have lived,” she said. “My pain taught me how to worship, my joy taught me how to praise.”

Her music has also begun attracting an online audience. Her YouTube channel has recorded more than 627,000 views across nine videos, while her Spotify monthly listeners have been reported at approximately 6,500. Her Audiomack profile is verified. Zoe records under her own imprint, H2 Records, with distribution through ONErpm. She made her first public performance at the 2026 Annual Virtuous Women Network conference in Enugu, where she performed “Undeniable”.

Outside music, she has spoken about her interest in soul winning and described it as connected to her musical work. She has also said that she wants her songs to encourage listeners facing difficult circumstances. “I want my songs to shift mindsets from worry to worship,” she said. “Whenever anxiety comes, whenever life tries to make you feel small, I want you to hear my sound in your spirit and declare victory over your life.”

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