Boxing Day KO hits fans
EVERTON and Liverpool are the only Premier League clubs still allowed fans from Boxing Day, after the Government ramped up coronavirus restrictions yesterday.
Of the 92 clubs in the league, only 10 will now be allowed to have fans attending.
Half of the top- flight were given permission to admit up to 2,000 supporters when Covid- 19 rules were eased on December 2.
But stricter rules introduced last weekend left only four – and now Brighton and Southampton have been moved into the highest category Tier 4 which forbids fans.
The only Premier League games to have a crowd over the Christmas period will be Liverpool at home to West Brom on Sunday and Everton against Manchester City the following day.
There are now just eight EFL clubs in Tier 2 which still allows fans.
Peterborough chairman Darragh Macanthony attacked the Government restrictions – and called for help for clubs.
“The safest place is being outdoors, spaced out where you are breathing fresh air,” said the Posh chairman.
“All of this ‘ follow the science’ is so contradictory. The Government has done nothing but shut us down and restrain us.
“I am not going to get political but they don’t care about the EFL.”
Rotherham and Portsmouth yesterday announced the cancellation of fixtures because of coronavirus.
The Millers’ Boxing Day away trip to Middlesbrough has now gone.
And Portsmouth have called off a home game with Swindon and the fixture at Bristol Rovers on December 29, after five confirmed cases of Covid- 19.
WHERE FANS ARE ALLOWED:
Premier League: Liverpool, Everton.
Championship: Bournemouth.
League One: Plymouth, Shrewsbury.
League Two: Barrow, Carlisle, Exeter, Harrogate, Tranmere.