Birch is full of hope for next season
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch remains cautiously optimistic clubs will be able to kick off the 2021/2022 campaign in front of capacity crowds.
The FA Cup semi-final between Leicester and Southampton as well as the Carabao Cup final when Manchester City take on Tottenham - will see some fans return to Wembley this month.
It is hoped the Government’s Events Research Programme for enabling the safe introduction of mass gatherings and indoor events as lockdown restrictions ease in England will eventually lead to increased attendances.
4,000 spectators will be able to watch a live game for the first time since December at the second FA Cup semi-final, while a crowd of 8,000, including fans from both City and Spurs, will be permitted at Wembley on April 25.
Should the pilot scheme which could also see an increased attendance for the FA Cup final on May 15 - prove successful and the path out of lockdown continues to follow the Government’s roadmap, then the lifting of all social-distancing measures is set for June 21.
Along with the NHS app, a Covid certification scheme which could include the likes of a proof of vaccination, a negative test result or detectable antibodies - is expected to form some part of helping open up society again.
Birch feels whatever national and local measures are in place there is genuine hope for a return to some sense of normality for the next campaign.
He said: “Our aspiration and goal is that from August 6 we will be back in full stadia in line with the Government roadmap for unlocking the economy.
“Hopefully as a result of all these test events that will assist and hopefully lead the Government to allow us to do so.
“The key will be to try to mitigate the spread by removing the need for social distancing which leads you to the Covid certification, which will undoubtedly have a role to play moving forwards.”
Birch added: “I am positive, our aspiration has to be full grounds.
“We are not blind to the issues surrounding the difficulties in achieving that but hopefully with the introduction of Covid certification, which seem to be the direction of travel, that may well assist us in getting to that level.”