Fans back into stadiums move a step closer with Government pilot

Plans to welcome football fans back into stadiums will move a step closer with a new Government pilot scheme to take place next week.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw all football suspended in March before the Premier League and Championship were able to restart and resume their seasons earlier this summer.

T h e 2 02 0 - 2 1 c a m pa i g n gets underway this weekend with the Carabao Cup ties, Sunderland host Hull City at the Stadium of Light, but all games will be played behindclosed-doors until October 1 at the earliest.

There is fresh hope some fans will soon be allowed back in stadiums, however, with a new pilot to launch.

It has been announced Cambridge will be the first EFL club to welcome a limited number of fans into their ground with two matches to be used as part of the government’s pilot scheme later this month.

One thousand fans will be allowed inside the Abbey Stad i u m fo r th e E F L Tro - phy fixture against Fulham Under-21s on September 8, with up to 2,500 supporters permitted for Cambridge’s opening League Two fixture of the season at home to Carlisle on September 12.

Both terracing and seating will be in use, with backto - bac k f i x tu re s s e l e c te d i n o rd e r to “a l l o w f o r a ny learnings to be implemented quickly under the same conditions”.

The EFL said Cambridge had been selected after being part of a joint project involving the league and the Sports Ground Safety Authority.

Cambridge chief executive Ian Mather said: “For us to be able to welcome our own supporters back to the Abbey Stadium after such a long period away, I’m certain will be welcome news indeed t o o u r f a n ba s e, wh o h ave been incredibly supportive throughout the tough period since the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Cambridge United will strive to do everything we can to make these events as safe and successful as they possibly can be, so that we play our part in football supporters up and down the country being able to return to watch their own respective clubs.

“We have seen throughout th i s c h a l l e n g i n g t i m e, th e ro l e a n d i m pac t fo otball clubs are able to have in so many people’s lives, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of the process to allow that to return.”