Fans may face 6-month wait for return to football stadiums

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that football fans will not return from October 1 after announcing new lockdown measures in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

It had been hoped that Sky Blues fans and supporters of other clubs up and down the country could return to limited-capacity football stadiums from the start of next month, with grounds being 25 to 33 per cent full.

However, tighter restrictions due to a spike in Covid-19 cases have resulted in those plans being pushed back – potentially by six months.

That would mean matches continuing to be played behind closed doors until March, at least, unless “significant progress” is made.

“On reopening sporting events, we will not be able to do this from October 1,” Johnson told the House of Commons.

“We will have to extend the ‘rule of six’ to all adult indoor team sports.

“Unless we make significant progress, these restrictions will be in place for six months.”

It is claimed that sport leaders foresaw the announcement coming and have asked the Prime Minister for a £15 billion rescue package – similar to that announced in July for the arts and culture sector.

A coalition of 100 sport bodies, including the Football Association, Rugby Football Association, England and Wales cricket board, Lawn Tennis Association, Rugby Football League and many more have written to the Prime Minister asking for financial support.

It is understood the letter says: “To play our fullest role, we must survive and stabilise.

“To do this, we require a comprehensive support package for the sport and physical sector to aid its recovery. This package must combine investment, tax incentives and regulatory reform.”