LONDON clubs have been given the go-ahead to welcome fans back to stadiums from next week.
The Government’s new coronavirus lockdown tier system comes into place after December 2 with Manchester and Leeds among those facing the biggest restrictions.
Anfield will finally be allowed to welcome fans to greet champions LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Old Trafford is one of ten Prem grounds that must remain shut in Tier 3Credit: Getty Images – Getty
On Thursday, each area of the country discovered which tier it was being designated.
London and Liverpool were among the areas in Tier 2, allowing 2,000 fans back into stadiums with social distancing.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed to Parliament that the mass testing regime on Merseyside has allowed Liverpool to move out of Tier 3.
It means the champions will be allowed to finally open the Anfield turnstiles for next weekend’s game with Wolves.
Brighton’s local affair with Southampton, Chelsea’s clash with Leeds, the North London derby between Spurs and Arsenal and Manchester United’s trip to West Ham can all now take place with some fans inside.
Crystal Palace, Fulham, Southampton, Arsenal and Everton have the green light to host supporters the week after.
But Wolves, Leeds, Manchester clubs United and City, and Newcastle are among the teams which must keep their games behind closed doors.
Burnley, Aston Villa, West Brom, Leicester and Sheffield United complete the list of clubs in Tier 3.
The confirmation of the tiers – which also apply to EFL and National League clubs – means that no professional grounds will be able to let in the Tier 1 limit of 4,000 fans from next week.
EFL chiefs are seeking to move matches scheduled for Tuesday back by 24 hours to allow some fans inside for the first time since March.
But it means Premier League clubs in particular have a limited window to decide which fans are given the chance to watch their teams in action.
Spurs have some 40,000 season ticket holders and the North London derby is arguably the most eagerly-awaited game of the season.
But only one in every 20 season ticket holders will be allowed in if there are NO corporate guests, with just one in every 30 seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium occupied.
Similar issues face Liverpool, with Anfield’s 53,000 capacity, and West Ham, who can also get 60,000-plus into the London Stadium.
Fans eagerly await the league’s decision on December’s fixture schedule, with kick-off times still to be decided.
A number of clubs not included in today’s announcement maintain they are ready to welcome supporters back as soon as possible.
Manchester United stated: “Our plans for safely welcoming fans back to Old Trafford are well advanced and we look forward to doing so, as soon as we are given the go-ahead.
“We will continue to work with local authorities on finalising our plans so that we can move quickly when our area comes out of Tier 3.”
Arsenal will hope to be the first English club to welcome back fans on December 3 when Rapid Vienna visit Emirates Stadium.
That match comes eight-and-a-half months after coach Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus, which heightened calls for football’s abandonment in England.
Not since March 9 have fans been allowed to watch a live Premier League game from the stands – Leicester’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
What followed was a three-month shutdown of the game while the country entered a strict lockdown.
Top-level football returned in June and the season was seen out behind closed doors, with countries such as France and Germany initially allowing limited numbers in.
The UK Government also authorised fan trials in the summer until a second wave of the virus delayed their plans.
Sport fans to return to live matches from December 2 with Premier League stadiums back open as rules relax
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
