Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane: Health and safety must be paramount

The Republic of Ireland international claimed players had so far received mixed messages over the top flight restarting in June.

Premier League clubs held their latest teleconference call today to discuss the details of what has been dubbed Project Restart, though they remain dependent on the government giving the go-ahead.

Hourihane insists the health and safety of players must be taken into account.

Speaking to the Southern Star, he said: “There are huge mixed signals at the minute. One week I think there is no chance of coming back and the next they seem to be really trying to push it.

“I am not sure where I am at with it all at the moment, to be honest with you.

“It’s a real scary time at the moment for everyone. It would seem money is being talked about more than the health and safety of staff and players to be honest.

“I am not too sure where it is all going to end up and how it is going to finish but I do know the health and safety of the staff is really, really important.”

The Premier League, suspended since March 13, have been eager to find a way to complete the season to protect sporting integrity and avoid financial costs estimated at more than £1billion.

But the clock is ticking on a resumption, with Uefa having told leagues they have until May 25 to submit plans. Leagues in France, Belgium and the Netherlands have already been curtailed.

Should the Premier League fail to finish Villa, who sat 19th in the table when the season was halted, would be at the centre of the argument over what happens next.

Hourihane added: “Whatever big decisions are made there are going to be a lot of unhappy people. Teams are going to miss out on what they have been trying to do all season.

“There are big decisions to be made and I for one am glad I’m not the one making the decision.

“From what I know, they want to keep next season clean, from what we have been told.

“They want to finish this season off, or at least look like they are trying to.

“But we have been told they want to keep next season as clean as possible because there is so much money in a clean season.

“It is all coming down to money and I hope it does not come down to just that. I hope players safety and backroom staff safety is taken into account.”