BRIGHTON are ready to host fans in a pre-season friendly this weekend if they get the Government green light.
Seagulls chiefs are waiting to hear over the next few days if they will obtain approval to host up to 2,500 fans in a socially-distanced manner at the Amex stadium.
Brighton are hoping to have 2,500 fans at the Amex Stadium this weekendCredit: AFP or licensors
The exact date of the match and the opponents over the Bank Holiday weekend has not yet been confirmed.
And the voluntary pilot scheme could take place in September instead if a Government decision is made too late this week for the club to sell tickets and secure the right level of stewarding.
If it does go ahead it would mean Brighton are the first Premier League club to play in front of a crowd since March’s nationwide lockdown.
Any decision will ultimately take into account local lockdown restrictions and if there is an increase in coronavirus infections.
It is also understood top Women’s Super League games, possibly involving Manchester United and Chelsea, and non-league finals at Wembley are also among proposed test events for the return of fans to outdoors sport.
The government want the return of socially-distanced sporting events from October 1 subject to Covid-19 requirements.
The Premier League opening day fixtures for 2020-21 have been revealed
Manchester United versus Tottenham could be one of the first matches to be played with fans.
Trials allowing some fans back in stadiums will be take place next month ahead of a planned full rollout in October.
Spectators will be made to sign up to a new code of behaviour and strict crowd management plans will be in place.
PSG fans sprayed with tear gas by riot police after breaking coronavirus rules to celebrate Champions League triumph
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
