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Fans Could Be Encouraged To Stamp Their Feet Instead Of Cheering At Euros This Summer

Fans Could Be Encouraged To Stamp Their Feet Instead Of Cheering At Euros This Summer

Fans at European Championship games could also be banned from drinking.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Fans at European Championship fixtures this summer could be encouraged to stamp instead of cheer, reports say.

The rearranged Euros tournament kicks off on 11 June, with England playing their first game at Wembley against Croatia two days later.

England's national stadium will play host to seven games in the Euros throughout June and July, including the huge group clash with Scotland, both semi-finals and the final.

Glasgow's Hampden Park is also one of the selected venues.

All restrictions in the United Kingdom are poised to be lifted on June 21 and a reduced number of supporters will be allowed into grounds.

However, as ministers debate rules going forward, The Times say there could still be some measures in place in a bid to prevent coronavirus transmission.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Testing prior to entry, as was the case prior to the Carabao Cup final test event that had supporters in attendance last week, is likely to be mandatory before big events.

But one controversial suggestion from Professor Dame Theresa Marteau of the University of Cambridge, a behavioural scientist leading the scientific group overseeing pilot events, is for fans at games to stamp their feet and clap instead of chanting.

In a scientific paper, the Sage member wrote: "While it is a basic norm of many sports crowds that people express passionate support for their team, and without that the whole activity has little meaning . . . it may be possible to develop new and distinctive ways of expressing that passion (stamping, clapping, etc) that are of lower risk than shouting or singing."

Adopting a cautious approach, Marteau also stated that social distancing and mask-wearing may well be "an inherent part" of the experience for fans.

Image: PA
Image: PA

There are concerns that social distancing would not be followed if fans are allowed to drink alcohol and so there are discussions and tests going on to determine whether a ban on booze or serving to match-goers in their seats would be the better strategy.

Wembley and London is set to have at least 25% capacity for the first three group matches and the round of 16 fixture.

Dublin's Aviva Stadium has been removed as a host venue, with three of their fixtures given to the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, and one now staged at Wembley.

Image: PA
Image: PA

From 17 May in the United Kingdom, outdoor sports venues are slated to be allowed up to 10,000 fans or 25% capacity and gameweek 37 in the Premier League has been moved to midweek so that clubs can get one home game with supporters in attendance before the end of the campaign.

As per a recent email from Premier League chief Richard Masters, 5% of the capacity for the final two games in the top flight could be made up of away fans.

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Topics: Football, Euro 2020, England