LEICESTER and Chelsea fans are enjoying a big day out at the football once again as Wembley opened its doors for the FA Cup final.
Some 21,000 supporters are attending Saturday’s clash between the Premier League clubs in the capital.
It is the biggest crowd welcomed into a live event since the coronavirus pandemic led to lockdowns and games being played behind closed doors.
Those trekking up Wembley Way were asked to take a Covid test in the days prior to the game before a lateral flow test this morning.
The game kicks off at 5.15pm as Leicester look to win their first-ever FA Cup final after four defeats in the showpiece, the most recent in 1969.
Chelsea meanwhile have enjoyed great success in the competition, winning it eight times.
Several test events have been held across the UK in recent weeks including the 8,000-strong crowd at the Carabao Cup final and the snooker fans entering the Crucible for the World Championship.
And from May 17, the Government is giving the green light to crowds nationwide of up to 10,000, or 25 per cent of a venue’s capacity.
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game this summer
The day however came amid warnings that the Government may have to delay further reopenings of the country.
The ‘Indian variant’ of the Covid disease has been detected in the UK and there are fears it is more transmissible than other variants.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden stated on Saturday: “The crucial road map date for theatres, music venues and sports has always been step 4.
“So I understand this is an anxious time as we assess the situation over the next couple of weeks.
CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
“We continue to make good progress with the vaccine rollout and with testing the safe return of audiences through the Events Research Programme, but must accept we enter a period of heightened vigilance with the new fast-moving variant.
“We will keep engaging with, and updating, organisations to allow everyone to plan their full reopening.”
PM Boris Johnson admitted in the week that ‘hard choices’ may have to be made with regard to the June 21 date.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
