Fans will be allowed in for the play-offs, confirm EFL
FANS will be able to attend the Championship, League One and League Two play-offs.
After the Government announced on Monday that it was proceeding with its plan to take the third step in its coronavirus recovery road map, supporters will be allowed into stadiums for both legs of the semi-finals and the final of all three divisions.
Each semi-final will be restricted to home fans only and the clubs involved will now liaise with relevant local Safety Advisory Groups to determine the capacity.
Fans of both teams are set to be allowed to attend the three finals over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 29-31, currently due to be held at Wembley.
The Welsh Government confirmed yesteday that the Championship semi-final second leg between Swansea and Barnsley on May 22, and Newport’s League Two play-off semi-final first leg against Forest Green on May 18, would be used as pilot events in Wales’ roadmap to unlocking the country.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “We are delighted to welcome back fans for the Sky Bet play-offs which will be fantastic for our competition and another significant step towards the EFL’s aspiration of having full stadia at the start of next season.
“Discussions remain ongoing with the Welsh Government in respect of the position in Wales, but all parties appreciate the importance of seeing fans return for these games.
“Over the course of the past 12 months, our clubs have implemented stringent protocols and have worked tirelessly to overcome unprecedented challenges this campaign. Fans’ return at this climax of the season is just reward for semifinalist clubs who will now use their significant expertise in crowd management to ensure supporters can enjoy a safe and enjoyable return to their muchloved home grounds.
“We are thankful to all those who have helped ensure fans will be able to support their clubs in important fixtures through the semi-finals, and we look forward to welcoming fans in yet greater numbers at the play-off finals.”
Bournemouth and Brentford make up the four Championship semi-finalists.
TERRIERS skipper Christopher Schindler admits the circumstances of his departure are more or less the ‘worst-case scenario’ for him as he will not have a chance to say goodbye to the fans.
The Huddersfield Town captain will head back to Germany this summer to join FC Nurnberg after five years at the John Smith’s Stadium.
His place in Town history is ensured, but the centre-back wishes things had played out differently after he suffered what proved to be a season-ending knee injury in
TERRIERS fans will have feared the worst when Michael Hefele missed his penalty against Reading in the 2017 play-off final, but it turned out fate just had other plans – after all, it had to be Christopher Schindler that scored the winning spot kick. It just had to.
For decades to come, that will be the enduring image not only of the defender, but of that remarkable
December. Fans have not been in attendance at the John Smith’s Stadium since February 2020 because of the pandemic, and Schindler has joined fans in wishing he had the chance to say a proper goodbye.
He said: “In the Premier League, the dynamic we had in our home games especially with the supporters behind us, and even in the last year where it was really, really difficult – don’t get me wrong, I know there was frustration and there should be as well about how things went – but when the supporters could still come I felt they pushed us and helped us to get the results we needed. This season was obviously the first one of my career where I had to deal with injuries really.
“I had a couple of things that were maybe five days, 10 days, maybe two weeks maximum, and I’m always available usually.
“So in the last year, speaking really honest now, I felt sometimes I could use a break to recharge, especially from the mental point of view. The battery I felt like was empty.
“We had a summer break of two weeks and then a new coach coming in, new ideas, a demanding style.
“That was refreshing, but I felt that in general in the course of the five years I’ve been here, each year there was so much football that you needed your time away from it.
“But obviously I didn’t expect it to turn out how it turned out then. I had a couple (of injuries) before then but nothing major, but the thing before Christmas... for the first time in my career I had to deal with that situation of being injured and not being able to help.
“The first weeks weren’t too bad. My daughter was born as well in that time so I had the distraction I needed.
“I was missing football a lot and was thinking ‘when I’m back fit I’ve got half the season left almost.’
“But when the second injury on top of it happened, it was the most frustrating part.
“You kind of think about bestcase scenarios, worst-case scenarios, can I play again before the end of the season? Will the supporters be back? “What if you’re not going to be here next season? All those questions.
“Unfortunately it turns out to be the worst case that I couldn’t be back before the end of the season. “The team have obviously done their job, so job well done – I’ve spoken to a couple of guys and can only imagine how tough it’s been with the rhythm of the games and the schedule which was ridiculous at times, so well done to them.
I will definitely come
back because this place is very special to us. All I can say is thank you to
everyone