Hope For A Road Map To Reopening Stadia

There are huge expectations that next week’s government announcement with give a clear ‘road map’ for stadium turnstiles to be moving again allowing fans back into sports grounds, albeit in a phased approach with limited capacity and social distancing measures in place.

Most clubs have not had home fans in attendance since March, 2020, and it is hoped that they might at least see a limited number back by the end of the season.

There are a number of issues to be considered, one being that of confidence, the uptake of vaccine by supporters being of major concern but also the numbers getting to and from the stadium will be a serious logistics consideration by all clubs.

Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber commented: “And then were are set to face some form of government restrictions, whether that is in terms of limited capacity or social distancing.

“But there is a huge demand for people to get out of their homes and see live events, and in particular live sport. The opportunity for them to come back and watch a game in a stadium is significant.”

It emerged this week that the Football Association and EFL are in talks with the Government about fans returning for the Carabao Cup final on April 25 and FA Cup final at Wembley May 15. Hopefully these talks will give some direction.