What did the Premier League say?
A statement said: “The Premier League confirmed today that the final two rounds of the 2020/21 season will be limited to home fans, subject to the easing of lockdown restrictions by the government.”
He added: “After consultation with the clubs, it was agreed that the matches would not be open to away supporters due to the different operational challenges in the League and the need to provide a consistent approach, while maximizing opportunities for home supporters to participate.
“The safety and security of supporters is of paramount importance. Clubs have a proven track record in providing safe environments for Covid and have operational plans in place ready to safely welcome supporters to their stadiums.
“Fans have been sorely missed in Premier League matches and this marks a key step towards full stadiums, including away fans, from the start of the 2021-22 season.”
Which Premier League games can fans attend?
The final round of matches was still scheduled after May 17 when the restrictions will be relaxed. Clubs will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 spectators – or a quarter of their stadium capacity – for the last match of the season.
But the Premier League has also moved the penultimate round of matches to be played beyond that date.
This round of matches will now take place on May 18 and 19, which means each club will be able to host at least one home game before the end of the season and welcome some of their fans.
What is the government’s roadmap for easing restrictions at sporting events?
The government’s last two steps to ease COVID-19 restrictions are May 17 and June 21.
As mentioned above, on May 17th stadiums will be allowed to operate at 25% capacity or 10,000 spectators, whichever is less.
From June 21, when the fourth stage begins, it is expected that all participation restrictions
Football matches are, however, already used as pilot events to test the safe return of large crowds. For example, 4,000 supporters attended the FA Cup semi-final between Leicester and Southampton on April 18, followed by 8,000 fans attending Wembley Stadium for the Carabao Cup final on April 25. The latter was the largest audience at a sporting event since the COVID-19 first lockdown in March last week.
The FA Cup final at Wembley on May 15 is expected to be another test event, with the FA planning to have 21,000 fans in attendance.
What is the full list of fan meetings?
May 19 *:
- Manchester United v Fulham
- Everton vs. Wolves
- Newcastle v Sheffield United
- Brighton v Manchester City
- Tottenham v Aston Villa
- Chelsea v Leicester City
- Crystal Palace v Arsenal
- Burnley vs. Liverpool
- Southampton v Leeds
- West Brom vs. West Ham
23 May
- Leicester City v Tottenham
- Wolves vs. Manchester United
- West Ham v Southampton
- Sheffield United v Burnley
- Fulham vs. Newcastle
- Leeds vs. West Brom
- Arsenal v Brighton
- Aston Villa v Chelsea
- Manchester City v Everton
- Liverpool v Crystal Palace
* some matches will be moved to May 18, schedule not yet confirmed
(Photo: Stu Forster / Getty Images)