MPs set to grill Dowden

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is set to be asked about the return of spectators to sports venues when he appears before MPs next week.

Dowden is set to face questions from MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee on October 14 about the continued impact of coronavirus on sport and the arts.

The Government scrapped plans for spectators to come back on a socially-distanced basis from October 1 due to a rise in the number of new cases nationally.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at the time the restrictions could stay in place for six months.

That decision has been heavily criticised by clubs and governing bodies, with many pointing to the inconsistency of continuing to allow people to gather in unregulated spaces like pubs and shopping centres but not permitting entry to sports venues.

Dowden’s department has put together the Sports Technology and Innovation Group (STIG) to look at ways in which technology can be harnessed to allow spectators to return safely. However, DCMS has been criticised for a lack of engagement with technology firms prior to the establishment of STIG.

The firm which used tracking technology at the Surrey v Hampshire T20 cricket pilot event last month, Restrata, said they had received no contact from Government af terwards.

The Premier League, EFL and the FA joined forces earlier this week to call on Government to provide some ‘clarity’ and a petition calling for the return of fans has comfortably passed the 100,000 signatures threshold to trigger a debate in parliament.