Arsenal were involved in an idea to have substituted players interviewed by broadcasters during Premier League matches, according to a report.
Sami Mokbel reports for the Daily Mail that the Premier League have sent an outline of three new broadcast initiatives to all 20 clubs, centred around improving coverage.
The initiatives include mid-game interviews with substituted players, controlled dressing-room filming, and half-time interviews with either a player or a coach as they leave or return to the field.
Clubs have been informed that the interviews should be positive, based purely on the game, and of no more than two or three questions.
The stress of the proposals is that they won’t be in place to catch anybody out.
Arsenal had a role to play in the initiatives, with the Gunners, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Manchester City reportedly involved in the substitute interview idea.
Clubs have been told that they should deliver on one of the three initiatives at least twice a season.
The clubs will have blackout and audio control options for the dressing room, and they’ll provide a shortlist for the mid-match interviews, though the broadcasters will pick the interviewee from that shortlist.
Quite who was asking for these additions is unclear, but it looks like they’re on the way in. Sam of The United Stand reports that they’re set to be introduced next season.