Fury at theatre chock with fans

FOOTAGE of Arsenal fans chanting in a “packed” theatre has caused uproar among supporters who want to be allowed to go to games again.

The images from An Evening with Arsene Wenger at the London Palladium highlight the disparity between rules for entertainment venues.

TV’s Piers

Morgan said: “How can the London Palladium be packed like this... but football fans aren’t allowed to watch matches outside even socially distanced?

I’m completely bemused.”

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker agreed, saying:

“Makes no sense whatsoever. You can listen to football chat in a relatively crowded indoor arena, but you can’t watch football with a limited crowd in an outdoor arena.”

Theatre-goers, wearing facemasks and seated in bubbles,

MAN ON Arsene Wenger at the theatre

BIG CROWD Audience at Wenger show chanted “There’s only one Arsene Wenger,” as the former Arsenal manager took the stage.

However, football clubs are on the brink of ruin after seven months with no fans allowed in.

And pilots to reopen stadiums have been indefinitely paused.

Mirror columnist Robbie Savage asked: “If it’s safe to let hundreds of people pack a show at the London Palladium, why is it unsafe to let socially distanced fans watch professional football outdoors?”

Owner LW Theatres said 1,148 attended the event on Monday, around half the 2,200 capacity. It added: “This is fully in line with, and goes further than, current Stage 4 guidance for the reopening of theatres. Social distancing of 1m plus is in place.”

The Premier League has said: “Football should be allowed to do the same, in highly regulated outdoor environments.”