Clubs may reject chance to allow the fans back in
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs could reject the chance to welcome fans back into their grounds next week due to concerns over cost and the absence of a roadmap towards full capacity crowds. Sportsmail has been told that while their operating costs vary, all 20 top-flight clubs would lose significant sums if they admitted even the maximum number of 4,000 fans that the UK government announced yesterday — a limit that is unlikely to be permitted in large areas of England. The Premier League defied the UK government in September by cancelling planned test events due to unhappiness at a Downing Street-imposed capacity cap of 1,000, which they deemed uneconomic, and some of clubs could do so again. It is understood that most of the 20 clubs operate at a break-even figure of at least 10,000 ticket sales. That number is likely to be higher over the next few months, given the additional safety costs of ensuring a Covid-secure environment. Manchester United released a statement last night welcoming the announcement and emphasising the club ‘are ready to welcome fans back to Old Trafford as soon as it is safe to do so’. But the Premier League were candid in spelling out their concerns. Fans may be ordered not to sing, shout or drink alcohol when they are allowed to return to Premier League matches under a new Covid Code of Conduct, Sportsmail has learned. The Premier League have written to each club outlining new measures for when grounds reopen. The document, sent to top-flight sides on Saturday, states: ‘This may include singing, shouting and alcohol consumption.’ The code will be ‘in plain and concise language’ and supporters will be asked to sign up to it at the point of ticket purchase. Each club will be able to tailor the rules to their own requirements and there will be discussions over agreed sanctions for those who fail to comply. Fans may be asked to stagger their arrival and exit times and grounds will feature signs reinforcing the importance of social distancing and hygiene requirements.