COMPETITIVE sport can resume behind closed doors from Monday. 

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden led the daily coronavirus briefing today where he made the announcement.

He said: "For more than two months after sport stopped and after weeks of round-the-clock discussions with medical experts and professional sports bodies, I'm delighted to announce today that the Government has published guidance which allows competitive sport to resume behind closed doors from Monday at the earliest."

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He continued: "Football, tennis, horseracing, Formula 1, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are all set to return to our screens shortly."

Mr Dowden said various measures needed to be in place for sporting events to go ahead safely.

He told the daily briefing: "That includes a screening process for coronavirus symptoms at the venue, a one-way system for people and vehicles, minimising the use of dressing rooms and of course maintaining social distancing wherever that is possible."

He also set "two challenges" for the return of football, which has a "special place in our national life".

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He said: "First, that a reasonable number of remaining Premier League games will be broadcast free-to-air.

"Second, that the financial benefits of returning will be shared throughout the entire football family.

"I'm glad to confirm today that a third of matches to finish the season will now be free to view including the Liverpool v Everton derby and live Premier League football will be on the BBC for the first time in its history."