DOOR IS OPEN FOR FANS AT WEMBLEY

EFL HOPEFUL GOVERNMENT WILL ALLOW SUPPORTERS TO ATTEND NEXT MONTH’S CARABAO CUP FINAL

THE Carabao Cup final could yet be played in front of fans with the Football League increasingly hopeful next month’s showpiece between Manchester City and Tottenham could be one of the government’s pilot events.

The EFL has lobbied the government for the April 25 Wembley Stadium clash to be included as part of sport’s plans for a return of crowds.

The FA Cup final, to be played three weeks later on May 15, is in line to be used as a test event – as could one of the FA Cup semi-finals – and the EFL wants at least a partial crowd present for its own flagship final as City take on Spurs.

Chairman Rick Parry said the game was ‘the pinnacle of the season and a really important event’ when asked about fans’ possible return.

The number of supporters present at Wembley for all three matches is likely to be small but any crowd would be seen as a breakthrough by the football authorities.

However, it is also understood there remains a doubt over whether City fans would be allowed to travel from Manchester to London due to coronavirus restrictions. The trial may only involve people from areas local to the stadium.

And a decision could even be made by the authorities this week. Were the plan to get the green light, government restrictions would limit the attendance at the Carabao Cup final to a maximum of 10,000. Full houses are expected to be back for the start of next season.

The government is planning to test how spectators can safely attend sport, business and cultural events in April and May, as the country continues to follow the prime minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of the third coronavirus lockdown.

Along with the FA Cup final, the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield next month has been proposed as a pilot event for fans.