Fans can return to sports venues from Monday, Premier League targets full stadiums next season

ByEurosport

Published 10/05/2021 at 18:25 GMT

The Premier League has welcomed the British government's announcement on the easing of lockdown restrictions amid the Covid-19 pandemic and chief executive Richard Masters says it is their priority to have full stadiums next season. Sporting venues across England will be able to welcome back spectators from next Monday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that sporting venues across England will be able to welcome back fans from next Monday, while the Premier League is hoping for full stadiums at the start of next season.

The government said in February that under the third stage of its four-stage "roadmap", stadiums would - if all conditions are met - from May 17 be allowed to hold up to 50 per cent of their capacity, or 4,000 people, whichever is lower.

A special provision will be made for large outdoor, seated venues, so that they can open their doors to up to 10,000 people or 25 per cent of the capacity, whichever is lower.

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Johnson confirmed on Monday the roadmap would progress as planned.

"We'll unlock the turnstiles of our sports stadia subject to capacity limits," he said.

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Matches in England's top-flight have taken place behind closed doors since June, apart from a brief window late last year when small crowds were allowed before a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

The Premier League said last week that attendance for the penultimate round of matches to be played on May 18-19 and the final day May 23 would be restricted to home fans, meaning every club will be able to play one match in front of fans.

"It'll be brilliant to see fans back. They've been hugely missed and the Premier League hasn't been the same without them. Their presence will ensure a fantastic finale to the end of our season," Masters said.

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"Although only a small number of home fans will be at our matches next week, this is an important step in our return to normality.

"We'll continue to work with the government and other authorities as our priority is to have full vibrant stadiums – including away supporters - from the start of next season. Only then will we get back to the real Premier League."

A crowd of 8,000 watched Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final on April 25, while this weekend's FA Cup final is expected to have 21,000 fans present.

Additional reporting by Reuters

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