Up, to 10,000 United fans are set to return for
NEWCASTLE United fans could end a 15-month exodus from St James’ Park and return for the final home fixture of the season against Sheffield United.
It has been reported the penultimate round of Premier League matches will be pushed back to allow each club to play in front of a home crowd of up to 10,000 supporters.
The 37th round of games will now be played on May 18 and 19, the day after the third step of the Government’s coronavirus road map out of lockdown is set to start.
It would be the first time Newcastle fans will have been able to spectate at St James’ Park since the home draw to Burnley on February 29, 2020.
Lockdown restrictions are set to ease further from May 17, with larger outdoor venues able to welcome 25 per cent of capacity or 10,000 people, whichever is smallest.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s road map out was published on February 22 and almost immediately the Premier League had concerns around rescheduling the penultimate
round of fixtures. It has informed clubs about the decision to switch but it is not expected to confirm the plans until broadcast arrangements are fully in place.
The league’s chief executive Richard Masters stated last month he felt a return to full stadia for the start of the 2021-22 season in August was “an achievable goal.”
The Government hopes that sports fans will be able to return to venues in significant numbers from June 21 and its Event Research Programme is using a series of events as pilots to test the safest and most effective ways to make that happen.
Supporters attending the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham – one of the ERP events – later this month will need proof of a negative lateral flow test to enter Wembley.
The English top flight was one of 10 signatories to a letter sent to political leaders last week endorsing the use of a Covid certification status system.
Under the system, proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or antibody immunity must be provided to access a venue.
The league’s executive director Bill Bush said: “The alternative to certification is not freedom.
“The alternative is the continuation of social distancing, tiny crowds and major restrictions on people’s movement and ability to eat, drink and travel.
“Away fans would be banned, for example.
“So to end those restrictions on freedom, we believe something like this is an acceptable burden to give fans the freedom to attend football matches.”