EFL to pilot return of 1,000 fans at 8 matches this weekend

September 17 – Clubs in the English Football League will be allowed to welcome up to 1,000 fans for matches this weekend in a pilot preceding the planned return of spectators from October 1 in England.

Fans will be able to attend two games in the Championship, four in League One and two in League Two as part of the pilot programme. It is the first time that supporters will return to attend live matches in England since the coronavirus shutdown in March.

In recent weeks, club and governing bodies have accelerated such plans in a bid to tap into some match-day revenue again. Brighton hosted 2,000 fans in a pre-season friendly against Chelsea.

An EFL spokesman said: “The EFL remains in discussions with the government about the pilot programme which may include a limited number of further pilot matches during September with capacity limited to 1,000.

“The league is clear in its view that social distancing can be applied safely in football stadia and that having crowds at matches is an absolutely essential part of helping to protect club finances, which remain under extreme pressure. Therefore, the successful delivery of further pilots will be an important step towards getting larger number of fans into grounds safely.”

The government has restricted pilot events to 1,000 spectators after a rise in coronavirus cases last week. The EFL had also planned to have stadiums a third full by October 1, but the government will review any further loosening of the restriction.

The Premier League is also applying pressure on authorities after writing  a letter arguing that about £100 million per month will be lost by clubs across the leagues if matches continue behind closed doors.

List of matches with fans:

Championship

Norwich City vs Preston North End

Middlesbrough vs AFC Bournemouth

League One

Charlton Athletic vs Doncaster Rovers

Blackpool vs Swindon Town

Shrewsbury Town vs Northampton Town

Hull City vs Crewe Alexandra

League Two

Forest Green Rovers vs Bradford City

Carlisle United vs Southend United

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1710856277labto1710856277ofdlr1710856277owedi1710856277sni@o1710856277fni1710856277