The Premier League has joined forces with the EFL, the FA, the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship to stress their commitment to opening stadia to fans again and urge the government to allow supporters into matches.
Arsenal,Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been playing their fixtures in empty stadiums since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an open letter to fans, the sporting bodies have reassured fans that they are keen for matches to no longer be played behind closed doors as soon as possible.
Arguing that the reopening of arts and music venues for socially-distanced events indoors is positive progress, the leagues all stress the belief that football should now be allowed to undertake its own similar reopening.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 4")
Whilst they are committed to ensuring that fans remain safe during the coronavirus, the letter argued that test events showed sport can be played in front of fans with a minimised risk.
The letter said: “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.
“We know attendance at matches can play a positive role in people’s lives during these challenging times. And the past few months have shown how clubs can still feel the support of their fans.
“Even when you have been unable to get together, you and your clubs have found ways to make a difference in your communities, with clubs delivering food parcels, taking part in phone calls and online conversations with fans, the elderly and vulnerable and moving services and programmes online to make a difference in unprecedented and challenging circumstances.
“But 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.”
It added: “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.
“And in light of the postponement of test events we will intensify our efforts to pioneer new approaches – working with epidemiologists, scientists and medical experts in areas such as public health, clinical processes and occupational hygiene.
“This will make sure stadiums are COVID-safe by considering best-practice screening and hygiene methods to ensure that fans and the general public will be safe and drive the Government’s sporting plans to move faster.”
The letter also says that clubs are keen to be proactive in allowing fans back into grounds, arguing that it will benefit the economy as well as supporters.
It said: “Stadium environments can be modified and carefully managed. Measures could include screening spectators before they enter the ground, installing temperature checks, requiring masks to be worn, one-way systems and providing a code of conduct for all those attending on a matchday.
“This will all be bolstered by deep-cleaning practices to help further reduce the risk of virus transmission.
“Clubs want to be proactive on this matter and are willing to consider measures both in the stadium and on the approach that will allay any concerns as to fans’ safety.
“From a travel perspective, clubs will work closely with experts and local authorities to model solutions relevant for each stadium to ease pressure on public transport, while extra parking facilities could be available so a greater proportion of you can travel by private car or bicycle.
“We are determined to identify a path forward with Government.
“We need clarity for our clubs and for you as supporters as to what the roadmap for change in this area looks like. We all know why caution is needed, and we ask Government for consistency in their policy so sport is treated as fairly as other activities currently allowed to welcome spectators.
“So, 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. If we do so, then the benefits will be felt not just by fans but throughout society and the economy.”
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