EFL planning test events to bring fans back to stadia and cash lifeline to clubs

August 24 – The English Football League is reportedly in discussions with the government and safety authorities about staging test events next month with regard to supporters being allowed back into stadiums.

Detailed plans are apparently being drawn up whereby limited numbers of fans will be allowed to attend live matches below the top flight by October, perhaps up to 33% of a stadium’s capacity.

Matches were played behind closed doors when the second-tier Championship season restarted in June but Oliver Dowden, Britain’s culture secretary, apparently favours a phased return  with social distancing measures.

According to The Guardian newspaper, Charlton Athletic’s League One match at home to Doncaster on September 19 has been targeted as a test event but it is likely other games could be used before then.

Unlike the Premier League, which has lucrative broadcast deals, lower leagues lean heavily on gate receipts which make up at least 30% of income at the majority of clubs.

The new English league season is set to get underway on September 12 and non-league, part-time clubs have already been given the go-ahead to permit a limited number of spectators to enter grounds.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1711669366labto1711669366ofdlr1711669366owedi1711669366sni@w1711669366ahsra1711669366w.wer1711669366dna1711669366