IT’S A FINE LINE AS SUPPORTERS RETURN IN THIS ‘NEW NORMAL’
SOCIAL DISTANCING, one-way systems, hand sanitiser and NHS Test & Trace will quickly become familiar in Non-League grounds now the turnstiles are open again to supporters after 162 long days.
Phased and Limited are two other buzzwords we will no doubt hear a lot of. The Football Association are resolute in their stance the return of spectators in the National League System will stick to a realistic and careful approach.
It is two phases. First, clubs must stage a minimum of one first-team home fixture within the 15 per cent limit – caps that have been set across each level of the game.
Once a club has ticked that box they can, from August 31, accommodate 30 per cent of the capacity limit as set out in the Return to Football guidance.
That will allow Step 3 clubs to host crowds of 600, Step 4 400 and Steps 5 and 6 to allow in 300 spectators. Clubs can host higher-tiered teams in front of crowds and within the limits but, as it stands, Steps 1 and 2 will have to remain behind closed doors because they are classified as ‘elite sport’, which falls under a different section of the government’s spectator return. Being considered elite was the main factor in the play-offs being allowed last month behind closed doors.
It will be of little consolation to clubs at both levels who, like those below, are desperately fighting for oxygen. The FA remain in discussions with the Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) around Steps 1 and 2 with regard to them being allowed spectators to return.
It is expected the Step 3-6 capacity limits will stay in place until October when they will be reviewed by the authorifits ties before weighing up any increases. The FA have been clear they won’t hesitate to reduce the limits should they feel the need.
The government are still looking at October for the return of fans to the elite game and it is reasonable to believe they will closely look at how the National League System at Steps 3-6 copes and manages spectators coming back through the turnstiles in the coming weeks.
Despite accusations from some quarters that the FA had interpreted DCMS’ guidance incorrectly and fans could have been allowed in earlier, The NLP understands that is not true and there has been a near-daily dialogue between the three parties – the FA, DCMS and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA).
Confusion
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston, who tweeted the update on Tuesday, used the phrase “clarified the guidance”, which has possibly caused the confusion. why not 15 per cent of an individual club’s ground? The FA will argue they were trying to get a sensitive decision supported by all levels of government. There had been talks of higher percentages being allowed in at Stage 2 but the DCMS weren’t comfortable so a 30 per cent figure was felt more appropriate with a phased approach of an initial 15 per cent to allow clubs to test their risk assessments.
Leagues and some clubs have been vocal in their disappointment of a ‘one-size all’ approach but it was likely felt putting forward all the individual scenarios and capacities would have been a harder sell to DCMS and the cabinet. A blanket approach was approved with the FA keen to make sure that when restrictions are loosened there is a framework that applies to every club rather than inconsistencies that could concern the government.
In addition, the government’s return to spectators document that relates to the elite game specifically refer So
ences a 90-page SGSA document around social distancing. In theory clubs could have to pay to have an approved social distancing capacity survey that would leave them little better off.
Percentage of stadium capacities is something that, at the point of October’s review, could be revisited ahead of any increases.
It’s perhaps worth bearing in mind that just three weeks ago, Prime Minister Boris Johnson rowed back on plans for cricket and horse racing to
pilot test events in front of crowds. And, while 150 people, in Step 5 and 6 grounds, may seem a small opening, the wider public will focus on the fact it is a return to fans watching football rather than the numbers.
Responsibility
The country is still in the midst of a pandemic. Local lockdowns will still be introduced at a moment’s notice and the line to tread is very fine.
There is a strong emphasis on the responsibility clubs have to be compliant with the initial guidelines.
It is at the government’s insistence clubs publish risk assessments on their websites and appoint Covid officers.
But it’s fair to describe yesterday’s return as a massive breakthrough. It’s key for a number of reasons. It means Steps 3 and 4 can press ahead with their initial plans to kick-off the 202021 season on September 19 and while some have pushed back their start dates, Step 5 and 6 leagues can begin from Sepstage tember 5. An even more crucial aspect is allowing the FA Cup to start in the extra preliminary round on September 1.
The FA Cup was a key factor in early conversations between DCMS, the FA and the SGSA, who have been collaborating throughout the process – as well as key concerns among the leagues at Steps 3-6.
Not only is the FA Cup nostalgic for fans, being able to play in front of crowds, albeit limited, will bring in some revenue as well as important prize money, though it has been halved this season as the FA contend with their own losses amid the coronavirus crisis.
Social distancing is seen as absolutely key in this return being a success. The risk of transmission during the game is medically considered low and isn’t classified by the NHS as close contact.
Substitutes shouldn’t be crammed into dug-outs, supporters have to fill out name and address forms as they would in a pub or similar environment. The message is simple, everyone can play their part.