FULL HOUSE FOR FANS IN AUGUST

behind closed doors, although limited numbers will return for the final two games of the season.

Tomorrow’s FA Cup final at Wembley will be one of several test events with 21,000 fans while there will also be supporters at this summer’s Euros.

Premier League bosses are hoping those events go well and then give the green light for fans (Manchester City supporters celebrating the Premier League title, above) to return in full for the start of next season on August 14.

Masters, who estimates clubs have jointly lost up to £2billion because of the pandemic, said: “The fans are starting to come back next week and I hope on August 14 they will be back in full.

“No one knows of course, but I feel really optimistic that we will be full.

“All the mood music and the messages coming out of Government are positive, with the cautionary caveats and safety will always come first.

“Maybe the fan experience will be slightly different, but I’m optimistic and that’s our objective.

“Whatever we have to do and put in place, we will and the clubs will step in and do it, so I am optimistic that’s going to happen.

“Full capacity crowds have been the missing ingredient, so let’s be optimistic about it.”

Masters has also promised that the investigation and potential punishment for the Big Six after the European Super League breakaway will be done quickly.

He added: “Because of the process which is ongoing you don’t ask me to prejudge the outcome of what that might be but obviously we need to do it efficiently. Efficiently, justly and appropriately is my way of putting it.”