SPURS BLAST AT CUP FINAL TICKETS CALL
TOTTENHAM fans have branded the decision to bar extremely clinically vulnerable supporters from the Carabao Cup final as “direct discrimination”.
Manchester City and Tottenham have been allocated 2,000 tickets each for the Wembley showpiece on Sunday week which is being used as a Government test event.
The SpursAbility fans’ group led calls for the Government’s Events Research Programme to review the policy.
It said many clinically vulnerable fans have had both jabs and are “at a considerably lower risk than those who are yet to be vaccinated”.
Their statement said: “The policy adopted for this match is a direct discrimination toward many disabled supporters.
“Returning to live matches again is the lifeline needed by many disabled supporters to maintain their mental health after long periods of forced isolation, yet they are being precluded on outdated advice and a broad-brush approach open to abuse.”
But the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “The Events Research
Programme has been set up to study whether or not it is possible to safely allow greater numbers of spectators at large-scale events without the use of interventions such as face coverings and social distancing.
“As we gather this evidence, it would not be suitable on health grounds for the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable to attend such events.”
There will be 8,000 fans in attendance with 4,000 made up of local residents – with Brent Council prioritising the offer of tickets to NHS and other key workers.
Every spectator will have to show proof of a negative Covid test within 24 hours before kick-off. They are also being asked to take two free PCR tests at home, one before the match and the second five days afterwards.
City fans travelling to the game will have to provide proof of a negative test before they are allowed to board supporter coaches or trains. The club said 1,500 places would be made available to fans travelling from Manchester, while another 250 would be sold to fans based in London or the Home Counties.
Tottenham seasonticket holders must enter a ballot.