Football fans could make a return to stadiums sooner than expected. It has been reported that relevant football authorities are considering the possibility of using the Community Shield as a match in which fans can be in attendance, according to Martyn Ziegler at The Times.
Community Shield Could Include Fans in Attendance
Football After Lockdown
Football fans have had to wait over three months for their sport to return as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Even then, Premier League and Championship football have returned behind closed doors, while League’s One and Two have been curtailed and ended on a points per game system.
Having followed the same path of the Bundesliga, fans not in attendance at Premier League and Championship grounds have almost become the new normal.
As a result, a large majority of supporters across England would welcome back football in which fans could attend, but could it all come too soon?
No Community Shield At All?
Of course, the Community Shield is the usual curtain-raiser for the Premier League season, which takes place in August between the winners of the league and the FA Cup.
However, given how long lockdown was and, as a result, the knock-on effects of next seasons footballing calendar, there are calls to scrap the match entirely. That said, the fixture is less likely to be discarded if supporters are allowed to attend.
As a result, Premier League clubs would support moves to play the game if it behind to reintroduce supporters to stadia around the country.
The authorities are already looking into cancelling next seasons winter break, along with the Premier League’s top clubs missing the Carabao Cup entirely.
At the moment, September 12 was the start date for next season, but with UEFA Nations League matches and South American World Cup qualifiers confirmed for September 8, it would give little respite for the players involved.
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