BEVERLY HILLS, April 30, (THEWILL) – The government of the United Kingdom is moving forward with a phased return to public gatherings and has announced that 10,000 supporters can now enter stadiums for the football matches in-person. As a result, about 500 away fans will be allowed to attend the final two rounds of Premier League fixtures this season.
A government roadmap on the easing of restrictions that is currently being implemented will see a further easing take place on Monday, May 17. The government earlier planned to have spectators in attendance for the final matchday of the campaign six days later while keeping tabs of outcomes to determine how more easing can be implemented.
However, to ensure all teams benefit from having some of their fans at the games and level the playing field rather than for only those teams on the schedule for games on May 17, the government recently announced that the penultimate gameweek would also see 10,000 fans attend. This ensures that every side would be given the chance to play in front of their supporters just once this season before the curtain falls on the unusual pandemic campaign.
From out of the 10,000-strong crowds expected to grace the stands of the stadiums, 500 slots will be reserved for the away fans, who can make it to the stadiums to support their sides for the first time in a long time.
Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the English Premier League informed all 20 clubs in the EPL of the decision. In the letter he sent out, the EPL boss outlined the plans for the final two rounds of top-flight matches:
“Government has informed us that, as COVID-19 indicators continue to improve, it is planning to relax the ‘no away fans’ stipulation from the Stage Five Guidance, governing the playing of our final match rounds in season 2020/21.”
“The return of fans and ultimately full stadiums remains our primary goal, therefore our view is that we must accept the opportunity to host as wide a range of supporters as possible.
“That being the case, the executive proposes an away ticket allocation of 5% of available capacity [a maximum of 500 away fans] at round 37 and 38 matches, respecting the £30 away ticket price cap.”
The letter took cognisance of what some teams might face in terms is health and safety protocols in place in different parts of the country: “This policy is designed to accommodate away supporters, maximise home fan numbers and reduce the likelihood of SAG resistance.
“This brings away fans in line with government’s planned ‘opening up’ of wider society, including travel, from May 17. On this basis, each sport would have the discretion to allow away supporters to attend events should it wish to.
“[We] have spoken to several clubs already about their views of this decision as well as the impact it may have on travel plans, broadcast scheduling and SAG/local authority permissions.
“Clearly this is a change from the previous government advice upon which we moved match rounds 36 and 37 to allow each club to host a fixture with home supporters and those clubs who have worked hard to secure early kick-off times to satisfy broadcast commitments.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
