Premier League 'concerned' by Government restricting return of fans to stadiums

Alex Young @alexwsyoung11 September 2020

The Premier League has expressed its "concern" at the Government's decision to restrict and potentially delay the return of fans to stadiums beyond October 1.

The league believes clubs would "learn little" from test events capped at 1,000 fans, plans for which were announced on Wednesday, and they would be "heavily loss-making".

No fans have been allowed at Premier League games since last season resumed in June following a three-month hiatus caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Premier League have written to the government to voice their disappointment at the situation provoked by a rise in coronavirus infections.

"With test events now capped at 1,000 supporters, we believe they will not provide any opportunity to properly test and evaluate measures designed to maximise fan safety," the statement read.

"Therefore, Premier League clubs will defer holding test events until a sufficient number of fans are allowed back to enable thorough trials to take place.

"At 1,000 supporters, not only would there be little to learn from a test event, but each match would be heavily loss-making."

Earlier this week Premier League chief Richard Masters said it was 'absolutely critical' for fans to return. He predicted the 20 clubs would lose a combined 700 million pounds if fans are barred from stadiums this season.

Brighton & Hove Albion allowed 2,500 fans to their pre-season friendly against Chelsea and the Premier League believe clubs are set up to provide safe environments.

"Our clubs have already prepared test events and can offer larger scale trials to prove it is possible to produce bio-secure, safe environments, as was proved through the successful delivery of Project Restart," the statement added.

Additional reporting by Reuters.