Teams in England's top flight were permitted to return to small group training on Tuesday as part of the initial phase of the league's 'Project Restart'.
In a statement, the Premier League reported six people from three clubs had returned positive tests out of 748 conducted under the medical provisions in place.
No details regarding the clubs or individuals involved were put forward by the Premier League "due to legal and operational requirements".
However, Burnley issued a statement later in the day to announce Sean Dyche's number two Woan had tested positive following a test on Sunday.
"The Burnley first team squad and playing staff were all tested last weekend, ahead of a return to training," the statement read.
"In line with strict Premier League requirements and following a positive test, Ian will now self-isolate for a period of seven days, with a view to being tested again week commencing Monday, May 25.
"Ian is asymptomatic and is currently safe and well at home.
"He will remain in close communication with club personnel regarding his re-engagement in training once he is clear of the virus.
"Everyone at Burnley Football Club sends their best wishes to Ian and his family.
"Burnley Football Club will continue to follow the first stage of the return to training protocol, while adhering to Premier League guidance in terms of testing all players and backroom staff twice per week."
The Premier League, like most major sporting competitions across the globe, has been on hiatus since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A decision to suspend the competition was taken after Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi were both found to have contracted COVID-19.
The Bundesliga became the first major European league to resume action at the weekend, while Premier League clubs have voted to return to training in small groups without contact work from Tuesday, despite reports over conflicts of interest among the 20 teams on aspects to do with 'Project Restart'.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said on Monday there was flexibility on the June 12 target for fixtures to be played.
Sport has been brought to a standstill due to COVID-19, with Serie A, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and the Premier League all on hiatus.
The Champions League and Europa League finals have also been postponed, with Euro 2020 pushed back to next year following more than 18,800 deaths worldwide – over 9,800 of the casualties from Italy and Spain.
Former Italy, Juventus and Real Madrid defender Cannavaro – now in charge of Chinese Super League powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande – is not confident that football will resume by May.
"In less than a month it is not known what is going to happen in the world," the 43-year-old told COPE.
"I think it will take a long time for this to end in Italy and Spain.
"It will be difficult for European football to return before the season ends."
Cannavaro has been based in China since joining Evergrande in 2014 before returning in 2017, while he was briefly in charge of the national team last year.
China has enforced strict measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, which originated in the country and has claimed more than 3,270 lives.
"The virus in Guangzhou is under control and life is beginning to go back to normal," Cannavaro added. "There are no more restrictions, only 14 days at home.
"In two days, I finish my quarantine. All of us who come back have to do it.
"Staying at home is essential because we do not give the virus the opportunity to infect more people.
"We have to learn from China, they have more experience in this situation."
If the 2019-20 season in Europe is to be concluded, it seems certain many matches will have to go ahead without spectators due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic worries.
And while Liverpool great Rush admits it would be wrong for the Anfield table-toppers to be awarded the Premier League title without the campaign playing out, the idea of empty stands leaves him cold.
For Manchester United legend Cantona, the absence of supporters would take away a vital element of the football experience, and players would suffer.
Rush told the Sunday Mirror: "I've never played a game behind closed doors, so I don't know what it's like. But I don't think it would bring the best out of me.
“If you're playing in front of no one it begs the question, would you be any good? Would you be up for it, first of all? Would it be the same as a normal game in front of a big crowd? I don't think so."
Social distancing would seem impractical at football, given the close proximity in which spectators are seated at games, so the Premier League faces a likely stark choice: play without fans, or not at all.
“If Liverpool are at home and they can win the league I want to be there even if we all have to be two metres apart," Rush said.
"But seriously, if it doesn't happen and the Premier League is declared null and void then you have to move on and not let it affect you. This Liverpool team is the best I've ever seen and I'm certain they will come again.
"There's no way Liverpool can be awarded the title without the season being finished."
There are concerns within clubs and leagues about broadcasters withholding money if games are not played, meaning many are keen to ensure the fixtures go ahead, crowds or not.
Cantona told French broadcaster RTL: "I'd be delighted if we could restart football as it was before. If we start on June 17 because there's no more problems for anyone, that's great.
"But to resume playing football in front of nobody, just because TV have suspended payments, that's not great, right? You can have exactly the same stakes, the same players, [but] a match behind closed doors isn't a football match.
"The energy that the fans give off, that they transmit to the players, that lifts players.
"You've seen Champions League games behind closed doors. It was the same matches, the same stakes, but it wasn't the same matches. There's none of the passion.
"They players need that energy. It's like at the theatre, to play in front of an empty room or a full room, it's not the same thing."
Top-flight clubs are due to meet next week to discuss potential next steps following Friday's announcement that no games will be played until at least April 3.
Writing in her column for The Sun, Brady claimed abandoning the Premier League two months early would be the fairest thing to do, meaning Liverpool missing out on the title.
Runaway leaders Liverpool lead Manchester City by 25 points but boss Jurgen Klopp said he accepted the decision to suspend all matches as the COVID-19 death toll rises.
TV presenter Piers Morgan expressed his support for Brady's comments on Twitter, but former Liverpool defender Carragher took a different view when responding to the message.
"Have a look at Klopp's comments compared to Karren Brady's," he said, accompanied by a facepalm emoji.
"What's fair is to finish the season for teams in every league when the football is allowed to start again.
"The football authorities found a way to put a World Cup in the middle of a season so I’m sure they can sort next season out."
Brady's comments come with West Ham languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, level on points with Watford in 17th and Bournemouth in 18th.
The Premier League has been on hiatus due to the COVID-19 crisis for well over a month and the situation is impacting on clubs' finances due to a lack of gate receipts and other matchday revenues.
Some clubs opted to make the most of the United Kingdom government's furlough job retention scheme that would have seen the state pay up to 80 per cent of workers' wages, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.
However, of the clubs to take that option, only Norwich City and Newcastle United have not reversed their decision, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Bournemouth making U-turns.
As an alternative to state support, across Europe many clubs have agreed to temporary wage cuts or deferrals with their players.
But Chelsea – who are owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich – are not going down either route, confirming they will continue to pay staff as normal, while the players have been directed to back charities instead of supporting the club financially.
With respect to the playing staff, Chelsea's statement read: "Representatives of the Chelsea board have recently held extensive talks with the men's first-team to discuss how they can contribute financially to the club during the coronavirus crisis.
"The objective of these talks has been to find a meaningful partnership around ensuring we preserve jobs for staff, compensate fans and participate in activities for good causes.
"We are grateful to the team for having played their role in assisting the club with community activities as well as all the charitable causes they have been supporting in their respective home countries and through the Players Together initiative supporting the NHS [National Health Service].
"At this time, the men's first-team will not be contributing towards the club financially and instead the board have directed the team to focus their efforts on further supporting other charitable causes.
"As this crisis develops the club will continue to have conversations with the men's first-team regarding financial contributions to the club's activities."
It added: "The club can confirm we will not be taking advantage of the government's current Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which runs to June 30. We are not planning any general redundancies or furloughs for our full-time staff, who are continuing to be paid 100 per cent of their current wages.
"Casual workers and matchday staff employed by the club are being compensated by us through June 30 as if matches had been played and we had been operating as normal.
"We are continuing our current level of financial and other support to our professional women players and also to our women's academy programmes.
"Our women's team and staff have been very supportive of our charitable activities during this crisis which has been appreciated by both the club and the respective charities."
The United Kingdom has confirmed 143,464 cases of coronavirus, with 19,506 deaths.
Medical personnel initially from hospitals in north-west London will be able to use the hotel for the next two months, though that period could be extended.
The Blues said the initiative was led by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who will cover the cost of the accommodation.
A club statement read: "Chelsea Football Club is joining the medical response to the coronavirus outbreak in London with the news the National Health Service (NHS) has accepted the club's offer to make the Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge available for NHS staff.
"The initiative came from club owner Roman Abramovich and, after contact with the NHS was made by Chairman Bruce Buck, it was decided the best way Chelsea can assist the NHS is to provide accommodation for NHS staff. Mr Abramovich will be covering the costs of providing the accommodation.
"Many of the medical staff will be working long shifts and may not be able to travel home or would otherwise have to make long commutes. Local accommodation helps maintain the health and well-being of these crucial personnel at this critical time.
"This will be for a two-month period, and then reconsidered in light of circumstances at the time. NHS staff will be those working in hospitals in the north-west London region, but that may extend to hospitals in other districts.
"The number of rooms utilised will depend on demand but potentially all the rooms in the Millennium Hotel could be given over for this purpose. No staff showing symptoms will use the hotel."
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for COVID-19 last week and the Premier League was subsequently suspended until at least April 3.
According to the World Health Organization, there have been 1,954 confirmed cases in the United Kingdom and 55 deaths as of Wednesday.
The entire Chelsea first-team, coaching staff and several backroom members were ordered to self-isolate after it was confirmed on Friday Callum Hudson-Odoi had contracted coronavirus.
Hudson-Odoi, 19, was the first Premier League player to test positive for COVID-19.
But Mount was photographed playing five-a-side football with close friend and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice on Sunday.
Unlike Chelsea, West Ham have not implemented the same isolation procedures.
Stats Perform understands all of Chelsea's first-team players have since been reminded of their responsibilities.
Due to the pandemic, the Premier League has been put on hold until April 3.
However, many believe April is an unrealistic target with COVID-19 infections yet to peak in the United Kingdom.
Italy's Serie A is also postponed until April 3, though Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina acknowledged that looks unlikely with the virus hitting the country hard.
Hudson-Odoi, 19, became the first Premier League player to test positive for coronavirus and the entire Chelsea squad, coaching staff and several backroom staff will self-isolate.
The men's team building will be closed, but the rest of the club's training facility and Stamford Bridge are operating as normal.
"Callum displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution," a statement read.
"However, his test came in positive this evening and he will undergo a period of self-isolation.
"Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible."
It added: "We wish Callum a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the club soon."
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has also tested positive for coronavirus and his side's clash with Brighton and Hove Albion was postponed.
The Premier League is due to hold an emergency meeting on Friday, while Chelsea are scheduled to visit Aston Villa on Saturday.
The clubs came together to donate £50,000 each to the Trussell Trust to help the charity cope with the loss of donations that supporters regularly make on matchdays during the suspension of football across the country.
There are 19 Trussell Trust food banks across Manchester that will benefit from the clubs' donations, which both City and United are promoting via their social media channels with the hashtag '#ACITYUNITED'.
A joint statement published on both clubs' official websites said: "We are proud of the role our supporters play in helping local food banks and recognise the increased strain likely to be placed on these charities by the impact of coronavirus.
"At a time of challenge for our community, we are pleased to come together with our fans to help vulnerable members of society in a City United."
The rivalry between City and United was as strong as ever prior to the suspension of the season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side claiming local bragging rights with a 2-0 victory in the derby at Old Trafford on March 8.
But representatives from both sets of supporters voiced their commitment to standing side-by-side to help the city through the current health crisis.
The Trussell Trust's senior operations manager Rachel Macklin said: "As the coronavirus pandemic develops, more people than ever may need help from food banks across our network. We're working closely with our network to understand each food bank’s situation, offer guidance, and work out how we can best support them.
"We know we won't be able to do this alone, so we are truly grateful for the support Manchester United and Manchester City are showing local food banks."
A spokesperson for MCFC Fans’ Foodbank Support added: "We're delighted that City and United have donated such a huge amount to Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
"We'd like to thank everyone on both sides for demonstrating that hunger doesn't wear club colours, and for the show of community solidarity."
Dalglish tested positive on Wednesday while attending hospital for treatment on gallstones but was discharged on Saturday after showing no symptoms of COVID-19.
The news of Dalglish's test had an emotional impact on the current Liverpool squad according to Klopp, who said the situation was discussed in a group on the WhatsApp messaging platform.
"It was a real shock three days ago when I heard about it first," Klopp told Liverpool's official website.
"The boys were sent a message in our WhatsApp group and everybody was like, 'wow'.
"What you feel in that moment is a massive difference if you know somebody who got the virus, or if you don't know.
"In this moment, it was like, 'wow, one of us has it' and it was really crazy."
Dalglish arrived at Liverpool as a player in 1977 and won six league titles and three European Cups during a spell that saw him become player-manager from 1985 until 1990.
Klopp indicated the closeness between his players and Dalglish, saying: "We all know this terrible disease is causing heartache all over the world, but this was the first time for many of us someone we have such a personal connection to was affected to this extent.
"I had the opportunity to text immediately with one of his daughters and we spoke about it. She was quite, not relaxed, but she was fine and said it looked all well – and two days later we heard he was released from hospital.
"It's good news – very good news – and I hope he is doing well still.
"We all know Kenny and we love him. We just sent him all our thoughts and prayers in that moment, but maybe he didn't need it, which is even better."
Football in England is suspended until April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the Football Association committed to extending the season indefinitely beyond its normal cut-off point of June 1.
De Bruyne has been in sparkling form for Pep Guardiola's men this term, racking up eight goals and 16 assists in the Premier League before inspiring a 2-1 first-leg win for City in their now on-hold Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And yet, the Belgium midfielder would accept those impressive returns being torn from the record books due to bigger picture concerns.
"I have no idea when we will be playing again. We haven't played for six weeks," De Bruyne, who missed City's last two games before the shutdown due to a shoulder injury sustained during the EFL Cup final win over Aston Villa, told HLN,
"Normally you'd need a preparation of three to four weeks. If we restart immediately then everybody will be injured after a few games.
"I know that there's lots of money involved. But I think that waiting so long to make a decision can cause issues next season.
"There won’t be a long summer break and you can just postpone everything.
"I would feel sad if the season is stopped after such a good year, but if it avoids issues for next season, it must be done."
City were due to host Liverpool this weekend, with Jurgen Klopp's side on the cusp of taking the Premier League title out of the possession of Guardiola's team. They boast a 25-point lead after 29 matches, with City having played a game less.
De Bruyne's impressive returns this season come after an injury-plagued 2018-19 where, having returned to action after helping Belgium to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, he suffered two separate instances lateral knee ligament damage.
Everton shut down their facilities, with players and staff advised to self-isolate after an unnamed member of the squad showed symptoms of coronavirus.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the suspension of all Europe's major football leagues, including England's top four divisions.
However, Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti told Gazzetta dello Sport on Saturday that the team were not in self-isolation, though they are taking precautionary measures.
On Friday, Pickford attended a charity boxing evening in Durham, alongside his wife.
But the 26-year-old, who has come under criticism for his performances at times this season, insists he did not go against protocol.
"[Friday] night I attended a boxing event with my family," Pickford shared in a message on his official Twitter account.
"Recently, my local boxing event had a fire. In conjunction with one of my sponsors, we helped the club to get back on its feet by helping out.
"There are many young grassroot boxers training here and it helps the local community.
"I had made a commitment to them that I would attend the event and prior to going I spoke to the club doctor to ensure I was okay to attend."
Everton had been due to host rivals Liverpool – who need two wins to secure their first Premier League title – in the Merseyside derby on Monday.
The coronavirus pandemic has shut down football across the country, and there is no prospect of any resumption before April 30 at the earliest.
Clubs are missing out of gate receipts that to some are their lifeblood, with players and staff at a number of teams being asked to take pay cuts.
Talks between the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and the players' union - the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) - took place on Friday, and more are planned for next week.
They are sure to have centred on the workforce, with several of the world's biggest clubs, including Spanish giants Barcelona, said to be asking stars to accept a reduced wage.
Reports in England have claimed some clubs have looked at putting players on the UK Government's furlough scheme, thereby avoiding paying a proportion of wages during the unforeseen lay-off. Wage deferrals are also said to have been discussed.
A joint statement issued after the meeting said: "The Premier League, EFL and PFA met today and discussed the growing seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was stressed that the thoughts of all three organisations continue to be with everyone affected by the virus.
"The Premier League, EFL and PFA agreed that difficult decisions will have to be taken in order to mitigate the economic impact of the current suspension of professional football in England and agreed to work together to arrive at shared solutions.
"The leagues will not recommence until April 30 at the earliest. They will only do so when it is safe and conditions allow.
"Further meetings will take place next week with a view to formulating a joint plan to deal with the difficult circumstances facing the leagues, their clubs, players, staff and fans."
The Daily Star published a story claiming the 20-year-old Italian striker filmed himself partying and sent clips to a private Snapchat group.
A statement from Premier League club Everton said: "Everton are appalled to learn of an incident in which a first-team player ignored government guidance and club policy in relation to the coronavirus crisis.
"The club has strongly expressed its disappointment to the player and made it clear that such actions are completely unacceptable.
"The amazing people in the NHS deserve the utmost respect for their hard work and sacrifice.
"The best way to show them respect is by doing everything we can to protect them."
The Premier League season was suspended last month due to the spread of COVID-19, which has killed over 20,000 people in the United Kingdom.
The news comes as the Premier League prepares to stage an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss how to proceed with forthcoming fixtures and the ongoing season, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to compromise existing arrangements.
Carlo Ancelotti's team are scheduled to face Liverpool in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Monday – a fixture that now appears highly unlikely to take place.
A statement issued by Everton read: "Everton Football Club can confirm that, as a precautionary measure, its entire first-team squad and coaching staff are undertaking a period of self-isolation following medical advice.
"The step has been taken after a first-team player reported symptoms consistent with coronavirus. The club is in regular contact with the player in question and is monitoring the well-being of all players and staff."
Additionally, Everton have closed down all club facilities, including Goodison Park, its Finch Farm training base and its headquarters at the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool city centre.
On Thursday, the Premier League publicly committed to fulfilling its fixtures this weekend in line with UK government advice that did not recommend the cancellation of sporting fixtures, although events have since escalated.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi have both tested positive for COVID-19.
A Manchester City player, reported to be full-back Benjamin Mendy, is self-isolating as a precaution after a family member was hospitalised with symptoms of a respiratory illness.
News from Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Everton added to Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers confirming three of his players had been isolated from their team-mates after displaying mild symptoms, meaning a quarter of the clubs in England's top flight were directly affected.
Leicester are due to travel to Watford on Saturday, although Hornets boss Nigel Pearson told reporters one of his players is awaiting test results after a number of his squad were symptomatic.
"We've had players who have had symptoms of not being well," he said. "We've got one player awaiting test results on his symptoms. We are trying to be proactive and hopefully the Premier League will make a strong decision based on what is good for everybody.”
On Sunday, former Southampton defender Benali will run a marathon on a treadmill stationed in his garden, with the funds raised going to Saints Foundation and NHS Charities Together.
The 51-year-old is no stranger to challenges having raised more than £1million for Cancer Research UK across three ultra-endurance tests, which included five Ironman triathlons across seven days last year.
And it was Captain Moore - the 99-year-old war veteran who has raised over £17m after walking 100 laps of his garden - and others doing fundraising efforts while locked down in the United Kingdom who prompted Benali to take on another challenge.
"It's been inspired by the situation we're all in in this current lockdown and there's a lot of uncertainty and concern about the virus itself," Benali explained to Stats Perform.
"But the positive side of that is we've seen incredible fundraising efforts. We've seen Captain Tom Moore doing his laps, and the incredible response and donations that have come from that. Other people doing garden marathons.
"Being an ambassador of Southampton Football Club, I know only too well the incredible work Saints Foundation do locally within the community. I wanted to do a bit to help the fundraising side for some great causes, knowing the amazing work Saints Foundation do, but also NHS charities together and the work that they're doing to keep us all safe at this moment in time.
"There's a reason for wanting to take on a real challenge for me. I've not prepared for this so it could be a bit foolish in some ways but we'll have to wait and see what my body's like."
Benali's initial idea was to complete the 26.2 miles around his garden on the day when the London Marathon was due to be held.
However, upon trialling that idea and discovering it quickly left him feeling dizzy, he had to improvise.
"The most I've done is 20, 30 minutes on a treadmill ever - I normally do it in the winter when the weather's bad," Benali added.
"I've no idea how I'm going to stand up to 26.2 miles and the scenery not changing at all."
In a stark message that English football is heading towards financial chaos, Clarke cautioned clubs and leagues risked being swept away to oblivion, saying it was time for major stakeholders to "agree common cause to save our game".
He also said there was no certainty the 2019-20 Premier League and English Football League seasons could be finished, despite every best intention, given the ongoing uncertainty of when matches can be played again.
Speaking at a meeting of the FA council on Tuesday, Clarke said the consequences of COVID-19 would strike clubs at all levels, from the Premier League to grassroots, and urged those with the wherewithal to "contribute".
The FA itself faces losing out on tens of millions in anticipated revenue, and Clarke says football is already "burning through its cash reserves".
The impact on broadcast deals, particularly if the current season has to be abandoned, could be dire for clubs that have come to rely on such income.
Clarke said that "prudence is our only sensible option", as he delivered a grim address in the midst of the unprecedented crisis.
"We are committed to finishing the professional football season as this resolves the issues of promotion and relegation together with title winners on merit," Clarke said.
"However, we may not be able to finish the season as football is not our priority, human life is, and we will do as the government directs as the pandemic unfolds."
In a searing statement, he warned: "Football faces economic challenges beyond the wildest imagination of those who run it. The pandemic will be followed by its economic consequences and all business sectors will suffer.
"We face the danger of losing clubs and leagues as finances collapse. Many communities could lose the clubs at their heart with little chance of resurrection.
"In the face of this unprecedented adversity, all the stakeholders within the game from players, fans, clubs, owners and administrators need to step up and share the pain to keep the game alive.
"Everyone should understand that the Premier League clubs are not immune from the impact of this and whilst they are impacted to different degrees depending on their cost base, the potential overall financial impact is huge.
"We must have a plan to ensure that English football is not decimated should this season be lost and next season blighted. We hope we do not need this plan as we are all determined to finish the professional football season. However, we would be fools not to develop such a contingency plan."
Clarke suggested the game's authorities would be judged "harshly" should clubs go to the wall, and it was clear his message was an appeal to the Premier League, EFL and the richest clubs to help those facing the most grievous hardship.
"Time is pressing as football burns through its cash reserves with no sign yet of a resumption of the game. Pointing fingers serves no purpose," he added.
"It is time for the stakeholders to agree common cause to save our game. Contribute. Football is a team game and now is the time for teamwork."
The Premier League campaign was stopped last month because of COVID-19, which has killed more than 206,000 people worldwide.
Fernandinho, who returned home to Brazil with his family, is feeling football's absence during the break.
"I am very much missing football. Not just the football, but my relationships with my team-mates, with the staff and all the people at the club," he told the club's website.
"I miss arriving at the club in the morning, having a chat with everyone in the kitchen. This is a tough time for everybody, and I am feeling it right now because I am really missing everyone."
City were sitting second – 25 points adrift of Liverpool – when the Premier League season was stopped.
While Fernandinho is staying in touch with his team-mates, the 34-year-old admitted it is difficult living in isolation, as he misses all aspects of life at the club.
"[I miss] the training sessions, the relationships with team-mates and staff, the time before training you are talking with the physios, sometimes the kitchen after breakfast and even on the pitch before training starts. Everything," he said.
"We live in different ways so now we are just isolated far from everyone. You make some phone and video calls, but it is not the same. It is hard to be honest."
The Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 campaigns were ended on Tuesday when French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that professional football will not be able to resume before September.
The Eredivisie has also been cancelled along with the domestic season in Argentina, but they are planning to get under way again in countries such as England, Spain, Germany and Italy.
D'Hooghe is concerned that finances are being put ahead of health.
He told the Daily Telegraph said: "We are all subject to decisions at national level from the public authorities. It is very simple. Football suddenly becomes not the most important thing in life.
"I will be happy if we can start, in a convenient way, the next championship and have nothing before the start of next season.
'If they could start the season 2020-21 at the end of August or beginning of September I would be happy. Then they could eventually avoid a second attack from the virus, which is not impossible.
"Everyone has to be very careful for the moment. I have heard in many countries they are thinking about playing football again, with or without the public.
"In my long career I have seen many situations where there has been a balance between economics and health. Mostly the economics won, whether that was about jetlag or football at altitude or in extreme conditions such as pollution situations.
"If there is one circumstance where medical arguments should win against economical arguments, it is now. It is not a matter of money, it is a matter of life and death. It is very simple."
Euro 2020 has been postponed for one year and the Premier League has been suspended until April 30 at the earliest amid the spread of COVID-19.
Huge debate has surrounded how the season can be finished and what the impact will be on the following campaign.
But a packed stint of fixtures could ensure 2019-20 is wrapped up promptly and former Manchester United captain Neville feels a period of constant matches would bring people together.
"If players need to play every day for nine days to finish the Premier League as a worst-case scenario, they would do it because they'd get their heads around it and make it a festival of football,” he said to Sky Sports.
"It would be something spectacular. Football can bring some hope and joy to the country when we finally come out of this crisis.
"Doing a festival of football where the league is finished in two weeks, the Champions League gets finished in a week and the FA Cup is finished in four days could be something quite special.
"I'm not saying they are the examples that should be followed, but there could be something quite spectacular about football fans coming together after this crisis is over.
"It would bring some joy back to the nation as football does impact so many people.
"It is possible over a six or an eight-week period that there might be four games a week. It's a global crisis and football has to react and compromise."
Neville, who won praise this week for providing two hotels he owns with Ryan Giggs to NHS staff free of charge, feels players should have no issues with an intense fixture schedule under the circumstances.
"I'm not concerned about squeezing more games in,” he said. "Players, clubs, managers and physios will understand that you can't complain about fixture congestion next season due to the circumstances.
"I think footballers, the authorities, the associations will want to play as many matches as psychically possible in a week, a month or a three-month period to get everything back on track.
"If you think about the Christmas period, clubs play four games in eight days.
"When we were going to win the Premier League with Manchester United we had a backlog of fixtures due to FA Cup and we played four games in a week.”
