Sports fans FINALLY able to watch teams with up to 4,000 allowed in grounds after lockdown
Boris Johnson has today announced that fans can return to live sporting events in some tiered areas of the UK following the current lockdown.
Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2020 by Express.co.uk
Stadiums will be allowed to re-open from December 2 once the second national lockdown has eased. Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement this afternoon. Tier 1 areas will allow up to 4,000 spectators in their stadiums or 50 per cent of their capacity - whichever is lower.
Indoor events in Tier 1 can allow up to 2,000 fans or 50 per cent of capacity.
Tier 2 areas can welcome 2,000 fans or 50 per cent of the capacity - again whichever is lower.
Indoor events in Tier 2 will follow the same pattern, with a maximum of 1000 fans.
However, the stadiums that are in Tier 3 areas will not be permitted to allow spectators.
Prime Minister Johnson said: "In Tier 1 and Tier 2 spectator sports and business events will be free to resume inside and outside with capacity limits and social distancing providing more consistencies with theatres and concerts."
Elite sports have continued since the second lockdown begun on November 5, while grassroots and amateur sport have been stopped.
The last Premier League match to be played in front of fans was Leicester's 4-0 win over Aston Villa on March 9.
Last month, the league's chief executive Richard Masters stated his claim that fans should be allowed back into stadia following an event at the London Palladium.
"I know the government has some huge issues at the moment but the London Palladium was half-full," said Masters.
Boris Johnson is set to announced the return of fans to UK sporting events from next week
"We make the point that if that can be the case, we hope that football stadiums can reopen soon.
"We understand that DCMS [the Department for Culture, Media and Sport] has to do things for different sectors but ultimately there's an inconsistency there, that you can go to an indoor venue, enjoy an evening out.
"We think that's a really positive thing - the big question is why can't that be, in the near future, sports venues as well?"
It is not yet clear which areas will be in Tier 1 and Tier 2 and therefore allow the return of spectators.
This will be announced by the Government on Thursday.
Manchester United host Paris Saint-Germain on the evening of December 2 in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are at home in the Europa League the following evening against Rapid Vienna.
Kick-off times for the following weekend's Premier League matches are yet to be confirmed.
The games included the north London derby, with Tottenham set to host Arsenal, as well as champions Liverpool at home to Wolves.
- Tag:
- EPL
- Boris Johnson
Photos
More»
Ex-Barcelona WAG strips completely naked
Thursday April 18 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Real Madrid end City's UCL dream
Thursday April 18 2024
Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey shows off bum
Wednesday April 17 2024
Your Say