Fans could be back in stadia for next season
CULTURE secretary Oliver Dowden and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin have hinted fans could return to football grounds soon.
As the Premier League returned behind closed doors last night, Dowden said it was vital for the finances of clubs at all levels to get supporters back in the grounds.
“I would really hope that by the return of the new season we might be in a position whereby some fans could start to return to stadiums,” Dowden said.
“And I know that would be another important part of restoring the financial position of clubs.”
Dowden’s comments came after Ceferin suggested supporters could yet be able to attend the final matches of the Champions League as the European governing body outlined plans to finish the European tournaments this summer.
The last eight of the Champions League will be played out in Lisbon in August, while the final stages of the Europa League will be played across four cities in Germany - Cologne, Duisburg, Dusseldorf and Gelsenkirchen between August 10 and 21, with Cologne hosting the final.
It is not yet known if the last-16 ties of the Champions League ties yet to be played including the one between Manchester City and Real Madrid - will take place at the original home venue or on neutral territory.
Portugal is not yet allowing spectators to attend matches, but Ceferin did not rule out that changing over the next two months.
“We don’t know if only the local fans, if no fans, or even the fans from different clubs could travel to the venue,” he said.
“As it looks now, if we were to decide now, then we would play without fans. We have to wait because the situation is changing every day, we have to see what the situation will be in August.”
TOWN hope Jonas Lossl will maintain top form in the final nine matches of the Championship season.
And the popular Dane – a hero of the Premier League years – is keen to do exactly that because of his personal circumstances at Everton.
Premier League clubs have voted against re-registering of players who were not in the original 25-man squads submitted for the second half of the season.
So Lossl is not eligible to play for Everton for the remainder of the season, and is naturally keen to stay with Town and do the best possible job for Danny Cowley and the John Smith’s Stadium club he feels such a strong affinity for.
Everton look set to start next
Lossl has taken the No.1 place for seven matches and seems certain to resume
this weekend