Trial results boost hopes more fans can watch City
FEW POSITIVE RESULTS AFTER CUP SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL – BUT MEDICS STILL URGING CAUTION
LEICESTER City fans have received a boost to their hopes that they will be able return to return in numbers to the King Power Stadium in the upcoming season, writes Amie Wilson.
Fans had not been allowed inside the stadium for over a year, until the final game against Tottenham Hotspur in May saw about 8,000 supporters attend.
About 6,250 fans had made the trip to Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup final.
Their attendance was part of a government trial event that required all participants to show a negative Covid-19 test.
Fans were also asked to take a PCR test following the event.
The government has now released the results from the test programme, which also included City’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton and the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Of the 30,000 in attendance across the matches, there were eight positive Covid tests.
However, a report on the first phase of the Events Research Programme (ERP), which covered nine sporting and cultural events taking place in April and May, said the figures on cases related to the events should be treated with “extreme caution”.
It cited the necessarily limited scale of the events, the low prevalence of coronavirus at the time and, most crucially, the low rate of return for PCR tests before and after the events. Just 15 per cent of attendees returned both tests.
There has still been no indication as to how many fans will be allowed back into the stadium at the start of the next season as City host Wolves on Saturday, August 14.
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said the findings would help fans to return quicker.
“Our innovative and science led Events Research Programme is helping us to better understand how the risk of transmission at major events can be effectively mitigated,” he said.
“The findings and learnings will help event organisers plan for large audiences as we move to Step 4 of the roadmap.”
The ERP said it is looking at ways to allow spectators to return to sports venues in significant numbers amid the pandemic.
A third phase will include the final four Euro 2020 matches at Wembley, Formula One’s British Grand Prix and Wimbledon.
The government said there are “live discussions” going on with a view to adding further events to the third phase, which will focus on certification via proof of a negative test or full vaccination.
The ERP report said: “No decisions have been taken on the full reopening of mass events.
“The government will set out its position on this ahead of Step Four in the roadmap.”