October 7 – English football’s governing bodies have joined forces in an attempt to force the government to reverse its decision to put plans on hold to allow fans back into stadiums in a safe and socially distanced manner.
A rise in Covid-19 cases across the country resulted in new measures which included pausing proposals to permit spectators in the four professional divisions to start to return this month
It has been predicted that playing behind closed doors could continue for at least six months, which would see many clubs lower down the leagues facing a grim financial future.
UEFA recently announced that spectators can make a partial return to matches that they oversee and in a joint open letter to fans, the Premier League, English Football League, English Football Association and the FA of the Women’s Professional Game urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reassess the situation.
The statement said all the bodies wanted “to assure all fans that together we are fully committed to your safe return to football grounds as soon as possible.
“The health of the nation remains our overriding priority, and for many months we have been working with experts to make our grounds as safe as, if not safer than, any other public activity currently allowed. And we are consulting with the Football Supporters’ Association to keep supporters updated every step of the way.his video will start in0:03
“We know attendance at matches can play a positive role in people’s lives during these challenging times.
“We all know football is not the same without fans. Every player and manager is missing the direct connection with you and the impact that you have on our games.
“With the EFL, Premier League, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship already staging 11 successful test events recently, we have demonstrated that we can deliver matches safely. The sooner we can return, the sooner we can reunite communities and support local jobs, livelihoods, regional businesses and also the national economy.
“We will continue to urge Government to allow us to return fans safely to stadiums. It is positive progress that major arts and music venues have been told they can run socially-distanced events indoors. And now football should be allowed to do the same – in highly regulated and stewarded outdoor environments.
“We will continue to urge the relevant authorities to let us, together, use innovative ways to bring fans safely back into football grounds, starting with a return of the test event programme.”
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