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      Carabao Cup final could have fans as EFL target pilot events BEFORE coronavirus lockdown ends

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      THE Carabao Cup final could see fans welcomed to Wembley Stadium with the EFL targeting pilot events before the coronavirus lockdown ends.
      Earlier on Monday, Prime Minster Boris Johnson confirmed turnstiles will be reopened from May 17 after being closed for the second time in December.

      Fans could be welcomed back to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final on April 26, say the EFLCredit: PA:Press Association

      But the EFL are targeting a return for fans before even that and will work with the Government to make it happen.
      Wembley will play host to the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham on April 26.
      An EFL spokesperson said: “We note the Prime Minister’s announcement today in respect of a roadmap for easing national lockdown restrictions and the Government’s criteria for a phased return of fans to sporting events.
      “As has been our approach throughout the pandemic, the EFL wants to see supporters back in our stadia as soon as it is safe to do so.

      “We will continue to work with clubs, DCMS, the SGSA and local authorities to this end.
      “Following a successful fan pilot programme in the autumn, the EFL and member clubs have shown test events for fans can be safely delivered with the appropriate measures in place.
      “With the Carabao Cup final taking place on April 25 and the culmination of the EFL season on May 8/9, we look forward to engaging with the Government about its pilot programme.
      “We will be working to welcome as many fans as possible to the Sky Bet Play-Off Finals which will conclude the 2020-21 season on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.”

      Prior to the EFL’s statement, the PM had told the House of Commons: “The turnstiles of our sports stadia will once again rotate, subject in all cases to capacity limits depending on the size of the venue.”
      That opens the prospect of supporters being in seats for the seven Euro 2020 games due to be played at Wembley, as well as Wimbledon.
      It would also allow race fans for the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot in June.
      And supporters will get the chance to watch the England vs India Test series and the Open Championships at Royal St George’s.
      But, initially at least, numbers will be strictly limited.
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      When turnstiles do open, crowds will be restricted to a maximum of 10,000 or 25 per cent of capacity, whichever is the smaller.
      However, it is hoped that those numbers can be swiftly increased, with even the prospect of a 90,000 full house for the Euro 2020 Final on July 12.
      The PM confirmed larger events would be piloted ‘using enhanced testing, with the ambition of further easing of restrictions’.
      And, if all goes to plan, from June 21, the Government aims ‘to remove all legal limits on social contact’ to ‘enable large events above the limits of step three’ to take place. 
      The news is a welcome boost for supporters who have been forced to become stay at home fans for most of the past 11 months since the initial sporting shutdown last March.

      Premier League fans will be allowed back in stadiums for final game of THIS season at all ten matches More

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      Unknown Premier League rule change revealed as players and staff forced to be fourth officials due to Covid

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      FANS of Everton and Manchester United both flooded social media after members of their clubs’ backroom teams were spotted on substitution board duty this weekend.
      But in fact those getting excited have been asleep at the wheel since Project Restart – in JUNE.

      Lee Grant was the man to hold the sub board to introduce Juan Mata

      Duncan Ferguson held up the board for a late Everton replacement in the Merseyside derby win at Liverpool.
      With third choice keeper Lee Grant was on the touchline for United during the win over Newcastle.
      Prem chiefs, though, confirmed that the boards have not been handled by the fourth official since the return of action last season.
      While it was always a job for officials in the past, Covid protocols mean there are now TWO substitution boards being used at every game.

      The home side has one, with the away team operating the other, in a safety measure.
      It is also a regulation that all boards are sanitised immediately after matches, along with the corner flags and goalposts.
      Last month Grant revealed life as a third-choice can leave him feeling ‘like a zombie’.
      But he has finally found a way of being involved in the Premier League for United who he has never played for in the league.

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      Duncan Ferguson was on hand to introduce Alex Iwobi to the gameCredit: Sky Sports

      Manchester United fsans found Grant’s new role hilarious

      As Shola Shoretire came on to make his Red Devils debut alongside Juan Mata, Grant was seen holding up the substitutes board.
      That is a coronavirus protocol that has been used on occasion this season.
      And fans were loving it.
      Gaz wrote: “The image of Shoretire coming on for his debut is always going to make me laugh now I’ve spotted Lee Grant.”
      Moll added: “Lee Grant is paid £30,000-a-week for this.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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      Premier League fans will be allowed back in stadiums for final game of THIS season at all ten matches

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans will be allowed back in stadiums THIS season.
      PM Boris Johnson will confirm turnstiles will be reopened from May 17 after being closed since December.

      Premier League fans will be allowed to see their team’s last game of the seasonCredit: Rex Features

      These are the final day fixtures will Manchester City already have the title wrapped up?Credit: Premier League

      That would mean the last round of fixtures, to be played on Sunday, May 23, could see up to 10,000 supporters or 25 per cent of capacity, whichever is the smaller back in grounds.
      It would also mean good news for the rest of the EFL, with fans allowed in for the play-off finals.
      The Championship, League One and League Two games are scheduled to take place on the weekend of May 29 – with 90,000-capacity Wembley the usual venue.
      Small numbers of fans were briefly allowed back in grounds in December but after a steep spike in coronavirus cases in the UK, matches were forced back behind closed doors.

      But now there is hope, albeit on the very last day of the Premier League season.
      The PM told the House of Commons: “The turnstiles of our sports stadia will once again rotate, subject in all cases to capacity limits depending on the size of the venue.”
      However the PM has promised to ‘step on the brakes’ should there be a surge in covid cases.
      The league’s chief executive Richard Masters has previous said the economic cost of not allowing fans in ‘has‌ ‌been‌ ‌significant‌ ‌and‌ ‌hard‌ ‌to‌ ‌deal‌ ‌with’.

      Boris Johnson will present his plan to the Commons, and then speak to the public this eveningCredit: Getty – Pool

      Boris will also announce indoor arenas will be able to welcome back either 1,000 fans or hold events with half-full capacity, whichever is smaller
      He is set to announce his roadmap for the UK to come out of the coronavirus lockdown at 3.30pm to the House of Commons.
      The PM will then appear on national TV to speak to the nation who are deseprate for a move as close to normal as possible.
      The news opens the prospect of supporters being in seats for the seven Euro 2020 games due to be played at Wembley as well as Wimbledon.
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      Fans came back to stadiums in December – before the virus rates began to surgeCredit: AFP – Getty
      The could even the prospect of a 90,000 full house for the Euro 2020 Final on July 12.
      It would also allow race fans for the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot in June.
      And supporters will get the chance to watch the England v India Test series and the Open Championships at Royal St George’s.
      While the May 17 date comes two days too late for the FA Cup Final, Wembley beaks do need to hold step test events prior to the Euros to ensure they are able to operate with any protocol requirements.
      The FA has to hand over Wembley to Uefa after the EFL play-offs finish on May 31 but would be open to using the FA Cup Final as part of that testing process if the Government is willing to allow it, which seems likely.
      However, that would see much smaller crowds of maybe only 2,000 or so initially.

      Life will take two years to return to normal but we’ll have to live with Covid as zero cases ‘impossible’, expert warns More

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      Premier League confirm just TWO positive Covid tests from 2,633 carried out on players and staff after Man Utd outbreak

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      MANCHESTER United’s backroom Covid outbreak prevented Prem chiefs announcing their first clear round of testing this season.
      The latest figures revealed that there were just two positive tests last week from 2,633 samples.

      Manchester United’s home game against Newcastle went ahead despite two of the coaching team testing positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      United have admitted two members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff were self-isolating after testing positive.
      The action did not prevent United’s Prem game with Newcastle taking place despite the scare.
      And while it did mean Prem execs are still awaiting the first clear week this season, the fact that the issues were contained to one club is seen as another step in the right direction.
      The figures revealed that one positive test came from the opening 1,290 samples taken across the 20 clubs between Monday and Thursday.

      That was followed by the second positive, from 1,343 tests, between Friday and Sunday.
      It matches last week’s season-low tally of two positives, with a rapid improvement since the League’s enhanced Covid measures were introduced at the start of January.
      League bosses will be hoping that this week will bring a clear round, which has not happened since the end of last season in July.
      Manchester United boss Solskjaer was joined on the bench against Newcastle by Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey.

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      The Premier League will be hoping for a clean bill of health next time roundCredit: Reuters

      Butt, a long-time team-mate of Solskjaer’s at Old Trafford during their playing days, is the club’s head of development.
      Former United player Dempsey returned to the club in 2018 as part of Solskjaer’s staff, having previously worked with the Norwegian at Molde, and is now primarily working with the academy set-up.
      And all three will have been relieved to get the three points against Newcastle after a 3-1 victory.
      United made a nervy start to the game but managed to go 1-0 up thanks to Marcus Rashford’s opener.
      But Allen Saint-Maximin gave the Magpies some hope with an equaliser, before Dan James and Bruno Fernandes sealed the three points on offer.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Man Utd and other Prem stars in Europe to be forced to self-isolate after matches abroad – except for games and training

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      PREMIER LEAGUE players and staff will have to self-isolate for ten days after returning from a game abroad, according to reports.
      Manchester United and their Prem counterparts will only be allowed out to train and compete under new Government rules sent to top flight clubs on Sunday.

      Man Utd are just one of the Premier League teams likely to be affected by new self-isolation rules when returning from abroadCredit: Reuters

      United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea will all be affected by the new rules revealed by the Athletic as they are still in the Europa League or Champions League.
      And so will players leaving the UK on international duty.
      Club staff were not subject to any restrictions after playing on the continent until now.
      But the new guidelines will see them stuck indoors for ten days apart from training and matches.

      The ten-day isolation period will be halved if a negative Covid result can be provided after five days.
      New signings and managers will also be subject to the new rules if arriving from the continent.
      If they were in place last month, Thomas Tuchel would have had to lock himself away when arriving at Chelsea from France.
      As it was, the German started work straight away.

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      Players will have to isolate for ten-days and will only be allowed out for training and gamesCredit: Reuters

      Breaches of Covid rules can lead to fines of up to £10,000.
      Man Utd, Spurs, Arsenal and Leicester all have home games in the second-legs of their last-32 ties in the Europa League but are all in good shape so will likely be affected by the new rules in the next round.
      Chelsea travel to Atletico in the Champions League on Tuesday while City go to Borussia Monchengladbach Wednesday.
      And Liverpool host RB Leipzig on March 10 having beaten them 2-0 away on Tuesday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Man Utd hit by coronavirus outbreak among coaching staff with Nicky Butt to join Solskjaer on bench for Newcastle game

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak just hours before their Premier League clash at home to Newcastle.
      Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey will join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the Manchester United bench for the game with some other members of the coaching staff in self-isolation, the club have announced.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be joined by Nicky Butt on the bench for the visit of NewcastleCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The individuals in self-isolation are not being identified.
      It is understood there are no concerns that any players will need to isolate and tonight’s fixture, scheduled to kick off at 7pm at Old Trafford, will go ahead.
      Butt, a long-time team-mate of Solskjaer’s at Old Trafford during their playing days, is the club’s head of development.
      Former United player Dempsey returned to the club in 2018 as part of Solskjaer’s staff, having previously worked with the Norwegian at Molde, and is now primarily working with the academy set-up.

      The club statement read: “Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey will join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the bench this evening due to some of the coaching staff having to self isolate.”
      Solskjaer’s side are second in the standings, 10 points behind big rivals Manchester City who play Arsenal.
      But the Red Devils should be full of confidence after the 4-0 Europa League thrashing of Real Sociedad in the week.
      And Solskjaer is refusing to overlook the danger poised by a Newcastle side desperate to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.

      The Norwegian told the club website: “Every game in the Premier League is difficult. You’ve got to earn the right.
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      Former United star Nicky Butt will be closer to the actionCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “You’ve got to do it by your quality but first of all the attitude.
      “Run more than them, want it more than them and we’ve got players who have got the quality, so hopefully we can take the chances.
      “The confidence is high, it’s a big boost for the morale. Of course it’s Sunday night so we’ve got three full days to recover.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Solskjaer tells his Man Utd stars they are paid enough to cope with relentless fixture schedule More

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      Premier League hopes to welcome fans back THIS season but ‘confident’ stadiums will be roaring again next year

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chief executive Richard Masters has not given up on seeing fans back in stadiums this season.
      And the footy big-wig is confident supporters will fill grounds again next campaign.

      Fans could still be allowed back in stadiums this seasonCredit: AFP – Getty

      Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is also ‘confident’ supporters will be back next seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

      Small numbers of fans were briefly allowed back in grounds in December but after a steep spike in coronavirus cases in the UK, matches were forced back behind closed doors.
      However, Masters was upbeat about the prospect of the public being allowed back in.
      Speaking during the Financial Times’ Business of Football summit on Thursday, he said: “The economic‌ ‌cost‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Premier League clubs and the whole‌ ‌of‌ ‌football‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌significant‌ ‌and‌ ‌hard‌ ‌to‌ ‌deal‌ ‌with‌. ‌
      “Clubs‌ ‌have‌ ‌stepped‌ ‌up‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌right‌ ‌way‌ ‌in‌ ‌terms‌ ‌of‌ ‌reinvesting‌ ‌in‌ ‌their‌ ‌squads‌ ‌and‌ ‌getting‌ ‌on‌ with‌ ‌it‌ generally. ‌

      “What’s been missing is the fans.
      “We’re getting‌ ‌used‌ ‌to‌ ‌watching‌ ‌live football on television without‌ ‌fans‌ ‌in the stadium but‌ ‌I don’t‌ ‌want‌ ‌us‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌used‌ ‌to‌ ‌that‌ ‌too‌ ‌much‌ ‌longer‌.
      “Hopefully we will see an end to that and the return of supporters as soon as possible. ‌
      “I do feel confident we will have fans back for next season.

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      “I hope it opens up quickly and that we can work with the Government and get fans back in the stadiums in real numbers and get back to the real Premier League.”
      Covid infections are still rising in 16 areas in England.
      But official data from Public Health England (PHE) states cases have fallen in 95 per cent of areas (298).
      The latest data from PHE comes as a major study revealed that infections have dropped two thirds since January.
      Scientists hailed the plummeting cases as ‘really encouraging’ on Wednesday, but warned pressure on hospitals must ease before we unlock the country.
      Britain’s biggest virus infection survey found the R rate is down to 0.7, even as low as 0.6 in London.
      The React study, by Imperial College London, carried out swab tests on 85,000 people across England between February 6 and 13.
      They revealed all regions of England have seen a fall in cases – with London, the South East and West Midlands seeing the biggest dip.
      Around 52 people per 10,000 are testing positive for the virus now, which is similar to the rates we saw in September last year.
      Infections are halving every 15 days – which is good news for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he gets ready to reveal the roadmap to get us out of lockdown.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Fans set to return for Champions League final with talks over 37,500 attending Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium

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      ANYWHERE up to 37,500 fans could attend this season’s Champions League Final.
      Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium is set to host the bumper spectacle on May 29.

      Upto 37,500 fans could be in attendance for the Champions League finalCredit: Getty

      Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium is set to host the spectacle on May 29Credit: Getty

      Mail Online claims ‘talks are at an advanced stage’ for between ‘30 to 50 per cent’ of the 76,092-capacity arena to be full of supporters.
      Today’s report also states the prospect of switching venues has also been raised amid concerns Uefa will be able to ‘generate sufficient revenue to make it worthwhile’ for the host.
      Discussions between the governing body and Turkish government are still ongoing.
      It is believed that between 22,500 and 37,500 fans could be permitted entry to the showpiece.

      However, the chances of ticket allocations being sent to the two clubs that reach the final remains slim – although it has not been ruled out completely.
      Premier League sides Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea remain in the competition.
      If tickets are only sold to Istanbul locals, then the chances are more likely that the Ataturk will have 50 per cent of its capacity in use rather than the 30.
      The stadium was due to host the 2020 Champions League final until the outbreak of Covid-19.

      That led to a major change, with the remaining knockout stages and final instead being shifted to Lisbon.

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      The news comes after fans in England were boosted when SunSport revealed yesterday they could be allowed in to watch the two domestic cup finals – in a trial to help ensure supporters for Euro 2020.
      The FA is determined to open up some of the Wembley turnstiles for the seven games due to be played in the stadium during the international tournament in June and July.
      And that could see up to 10,000 supporters in for the April 29 Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Spurs and the FA Cup final the following month.
      Both events would be staging posts towards the summer, with the FA hoping to be able to fill 30 per cent of Wembley’s 90,000 capacity by the Euros.
      FA chiefs are part of the Government’s Sports Technology Innovation Group, headed by Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross.
      Discussions over the past year have included concepts such as digital Covid passports for spectators, with football bosses signalling their willingness to act as “guinea pigs” for the safe re-opening of the country.
      And even getting reduced numbers in to Wembley in the spring would be a huge staging post in the right direction.
      Expectations of a lifting of Covid restrictions in the coming weeks will make the possibility of reopening turnstiles more realistic, although there is no expectation of fans being back in Prem grounds before next season.

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