The government finally makes a decision on whether to let fans back in stadiums ahead of the upcoming much anticipated 2020/21 season.
For a long while now, we have been left unsure on when and how fans could be allowed through the turnstiles of the beloved clubs once again, for the first time since March.
Well this week, the government has given the green light for football fans to start attending football stadiums for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Over 10,000 members of the public signed a petition which started to gather pace calling for fans to once again be able to cheer on their teams, the petition gained the support of more than 30 MPs who wrote to sports minister Nigel Huddleston directly.
Football fans have been barred from entering live sporting activities since Coronavirus brought a halt to all professional and semi professional sport following government advice.
The Premier League were able to strike a deal with Sky, BT Sport, BBC & Amazon to ensure all matches were televised live in a bid to finish the season and keep fans safe. Fans of sides outside the Premier League have not been given the same privilege with some sides not seeing fans through the turnstiles for almost 6 months.
Thankfully the government has now outlined plans to safely allow football fans back in UK stadiums. New government guidelines allow for spectators to watch live non-elite sport from 22nd August 2020 and follows urgent calls from both clubs and chairman in non league. Many have claimed that clubs are at risk of being lost forever due to financial difficulties brought on by the sudden stop in attendances resulting in lost matchday revenue.
The 30 MPs who signed the letter had said that non-league clubs “tend to be supported by those within the town itself” and that average crowds are “in the hundreds”. Sounds good, however it’s yet to be seen what crowds these games may attract whilst “elite” football matches will continue with its ban on spectators.
The decision draws a firm distinction between “recreational” and “elite” sports, meaning that clubs in the leagues below the National League North and South will be allowed to admit fans for the first time since the pandemic lock down procedures were put in place.
The government’s return to recreational team sport framework was updated on Tuesday afternoon to draw up protocols for allowing spectators in.
Fans will have to abide by the social distancing rules currently in place as well as having to do a self assessment before attending any matches.
Clubs will have to put stringent measures in place to ensure that social distancing is adhered to. This will include traffic flow systems for facilities as well as socially distanced marked areas for teams, officials and spectators.
Players will have to avoid “shouting and conversing loudly” when facing each other and there are still talks on whether fans will be allowed to sing or chant when spectating. A test and trace system will also be implemented for those attending.
Clubs will also have to put forward a “named person or persons with responsibility for ensuring adherence with these guidelines and ensuring the facility is Covid-19 secure”.
Tracey Crouch, Conservative MP for Chatham & Aylesford has been a key figure pushing forward the motion to get fans back in the stands, claiming that it “made no sense” to deny them entry. She posted on twitter yesterday…
Football has many wonderful layers but non league is often at its heart and soul. With fewer fans it’s easier to make clubs covid secure but without them coming back soon their future is shaky so we’ve written to Sports Minister calling for non league clubs to #LetFansIn pic.twitter.com/pC94GnwrpG
— Tracey Crouch (@tracey_crouch) August 18, 2020
Here’s what fans had to say…
Fantastic work ?. There are still some crazy scenarios though. @DorkingWDRS first team play at step 2 and the reserves play at step 6. I can watch one and not the other on the same pitch at the same venue?! Crazy!
— Stuart Covey (@Stuart_Covey) August 18, 2020
Thank you for pushing for this Tracey, many clubs from step 3 and below can properly plan ahead.
Hope step 1 and 2 can get the green light as well.
— Conor Wells (@conorwells0) August 18, 2020
Some fans are still concerned however……
We all want fan’s in at non league level. But with crowd’s of 100 to 1,000 up and down the country, you have to be sure they won’t get close together. Inside or outside the stadium. If you consider all the matches, its a lot of people.
— Steve cooper (@scooper00123) August 19, 2020

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