FANS will be allowed to attend both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals, The FA have announced
The EFL have now confirmed the 8,000 capacity for the League Cup final, played between Tottenham and Manchester City on April 25.
The allocation will be made up of fans from both teams as well as local residents and NHS staff, who will be offered tickets as a way of saying thank you for their work during the pandemic.
Then, there will be an increase to 21,000 supporters by May 15, when the FA Cup concludes with its showpiece at Wembley Stadium.
It is part of a wider programme to introduce crowds back, which include snooker, comedy, film and business events.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Our sports stars and great performers need us to find ways to get bums back on seats safely.
“This science-led pilot programme will be the springboard in getting the buzz back of live performance.
“We’ve supported the sports and arts with unprecedented sums, but it’s now time to make that Great British Summer of live events a reality.”
Last year’s runners up Chelsea play City in the first FA Cup semi-final on April 17.
A day later, Leicester face Southampton, and a live crowd of 4,000 are set to be in attendance.
RETURN OF THE FANS ROADMAP
April 18 – Leicester vs Southampton, FA Cup semi-final (4,000 fans)
April 25 – Man City vs Spurs, Carabao Cup final (8,000 fans)
May 15 – FA Cup final (21,000 fans)
After May 17 – Up to 10,000 fans or 25 per cent stadium capacity allowed to attend final Prem games
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FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “This is an important first step towards getting fans back, with the end goal of full stadia – hopefully by the end of the Men’s Euros.”
After May 17, up to 10,000 fans or 25 per cent of a stadium’s capacity will be allowed to attend Premier League games.
Fans briefly returned in December, with the capacity depending on the various tier systems.
But by Christmas, the nation was back in lockdown, bringing an end to live crowds.
The new roadmap hopes to allow fans to attend the delayed European Championships this summer, hosted across 12 cities.
England kick off their Euros campaign against Croatia at Wembley on June 13 but it has not been decided how many fans will be allowed to attend.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
