JOY AT WEMBLEY TEST
A JUBILANT army of 4,000 football fans enjoyed a day out at Wembley as part of the Covid-19 “test” events.
It was the biggest football crowd in the UK since lockdown began in March last year.
Key frontline workers and local residents were given prized places for the Southampton v Leicester City FA Cup semi-final.
Every fan had to take a lateral flow test in the 24 hours before the game in the 90,000-seater
■ stadium. They were also asked to have two PCR (polymerase chain reaction) checks – processed in a lab – one before, the other five days after the game.
Anna Chapman, a student who lives close to Wembley, was one of the lucky few to land a ticket. She said: “I just wanted to get back in a stadium.
“Although it’s limited, it’s just to get back to experience the aura of a stadium, the emotions, the atmosphere. We had to show our text saying we’re negative to get in the stadium.”
The semi final, which the Foxes won 1-0,- was one of three pilot matches due to be played at Wembley.
The Carabao Cup Final on Sunday between Man City and Spurs will have 8,000 fans, with 2,000 from each club.
Part of the Government Events
Research Programme, the games will be used to check the impact of crowds on infection rates.
Prof Paul Monks, chief scientific adviser at the Dept for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said: “Results will determine just how quickly we emerge from lockdown this summer. It is exciting – and daunting.”
The test events could pave the way for a 21,000 fans at the FA Cup Final on May 15.