NON-LEAGUE clubs and fans blasted “insane” Covid-19 restrictions in place this weekend.
National League Wealdstone’s opening game of the season against Chesterfield on Saturday must be behind closed doors to meet Government safety guidelines.
Non-league clubs and fans are fuming with ‘insane’ coronavirus restrictions in place this weekendCredit: Rex Features
Yet Wealdstone fans ARE allowed to gather at the stadium clubhouse to watch a live screening of the match taking place just yards away.
And to comply with rules, all pitch-facing windows must be blacked out, with stewards being paid by the club to prevent fans getting a view of the action.
Corinthian Casuals of the Isthmian League also mocked ministers after being told they can have home fans for Saturday’s FA Cup second qualifying round tie with Dulwich Hamlet — but not let ANY away supporters in.
The Casuals apologised to fans of their National League opponents and South London rivals by poking a huge stick at the Government.
They said: “As coronavirus is clearly clever enough to differentiate between fans of Step 2 and 3 clubs, in their wisdom, supporters of National League clubs including Dulwich are banned from spectating.
“We are not in favour of this utterly baffling ruling.
“It is wholly unnecessary and we are having to put in place these restrictions under duress.”
Fans across the country vented their anger, with the measures branded “absolutely insane” and “utterly ridiculous”.
The behind-closed-doors rules only apply to clubs in the National League’s three tiers and above.
But a number of clubs in different leagues also groundshare.
So one fan asked: “If a non-elite club shares with an elite club and they’re drawn against each other, are they both allowed fans if the non-elite club is drawn at home?
“Are they not allowed any fans if the elite club is drawn at home?
“Or could they reverse the fixture so the non-elite club was ‘at home’ for an away game?”
Ex-England star David James fronts campaign to reduce power usage in non-league football as income plummets due to Covid
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
