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Football Fans Could Return To Stadiums Before The End Of The Year

Football Fans Could Return To Stadiums Before The End Of The Year

There's been no football fans in grounds in England's football league since Liverpool's loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Football fans could be allowed back into stadiums in England after lockdown has ended and before the end of the year, with proposals having been submitted.

There's been no crowds in the Premier League or the Football League in England since March, with Leicester City's win over Aston Villa the last top tier game with crowds on Monday 9th March.

According to the Daily Mail, that could soon change in December, once the second lockdown in the country has ended.

The report says that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have drawn up and submitted plans to the Cabinet Office for the return of fans in areas where Covid-19 infection rates are low.

Second lockdown is due to finish on December 2nd with ministers planning on returning to regional tiers, that had been introduced in October, once it has ended.

Fans got to watch Leicester City vs Aston Villa. Though Liverpool's loss to Atletico Madrid was the last game with fans before lockdown. Image: PA Images
Fans got to watch Leicester City vs Aston Villa. Though Liverpool's loss to Atletico Madrid was the last game with fans before lockdown. Image: PA Images

Whilst the plans are yet to be agreed 'football sources' are said to be encouraged by the move that would see football being treated like the arts.

There was outrage from many fans, and those in the games, that people could go to the theatre or the cinema but not attend a game of football.

Arsene Wenger was part of a Q&A session at the London Palladium, that allowed 1,000 people into the building, and fans could even watch some games in the cinema.

One West Ham game could be watched on the big screen just a few minutes away from the London Stadium but fans obviously couldn't go to the game.

The lack of fans has been a huge financial constraint on clubs, with ticket sales and other matchday revenue at zero.

Rotherham owner Tony Stewart told the paper, "I know clubs that are in dire straits. Fans bring income. It will be a great help. It means there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

"And it will be fantastic for the fans. They want to get back in."

Clubs in tier three won't be able to open their grounds for fans and that could lead to an advantage for those in tiers one and two, the clubs without fans will also continue to be without income.

There will also still be concerns that the rates of Covid infections and deaths are still to high to allow such large groups of people and grounds will certainly not be at full capacity.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: League Two, Football News, EFL, Football fans, Football, League One, Premier League, championship