Government to 'review' plan on fans returning to grounds

Plans for football supporters to attend matches in England from October 1st are to be reviewed due to the growing number of coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed.

Johnson, speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Wednesday, also said pilot events in September, such as Cambridge United's clash with Carlisle on Saturday, would be restricted to 1,000 fans with social distancing measures in place.

“We must revise plans to pilot larger audiences in venues later this month and review our intention to return audiences to stadiums from October 1," said Johnson. "But that doesn't mean we are going to scrap the programme entirely. We are just going to have to review it and abridge it."

In a series of posts on Twitter, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the government 'continues to plan for the best'.

He added: "Further to the PM's announcement we are reviewing the list of proposed sports pilots ahead of 1 October, in light of the increased number of [Covid-19] cases. Details of changes will be announced shortly.

"We are keeping under review further easements proposed from 1 October but no changes have been announced.

"Work continues round the clock with the ambition of having audiences back much closer to normal by Christmas."

Earlier on Wednesday, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said it was 'absolutely critical' that fans were allowed back inside stadiums as soon as possible and failure to do so would cost clubs £700m during the 2020-21 season, which starts on Saturday.

At the end of August, 2,500 people watched a friendly between Brighton and Chelsea at the Seagulls' Amex Stadium - the first time fans had been allowed into a Premier League ground in almost six months.