Nine EFL clubs will admit up to 1,000 fans to their matches this week as part of the ongoing ‘return of fans’ pilot scheme.
Capacities will be capped at 1,000 while discussions continue with the government about a return for supporters in greater numbers.
Nine EFL Clubs to Admit Fans This Weekend
Who is Taking Part?
Two matches in the Championship and three in League Two will be admitting fans this weekend, while there will be four matches with a crowd in League One for the first time since the EFL season was suspended back in March. Luton Town’s match with Derby County was originally meant to be among the list, but the Hatters have since clarified that they will not be taking part.
Championship
- Norwich City v Preston North End
- Middlesbrough v Bournemouth
League One
- Charlton Athletic v Doncaster Rovers
- Blackpool v Swindon Town
- Shrewsbury Town v Northampton Town
- Hull City v Crewe Alexandra
League Two
- Forest Green Rovers v Bradford City
- Carlisle United v Southend United
- Morecambe v Cambridge United
Some Clubs Unhappy With Short Notice
While it is a given that all clubs would like to admit their usual attendances as soon as it is safely possible to do so, some were unhappy with the short notice given about the potential return of some supporters this weekend.
Clubs were informed yesterday morning by the EFL that if they wished to apply to be part of the pilot scheme, they had to get their application in by today. With some clubs not yet finalising their initial plan for the bulk return of fans, they felt that this short time frame was unfair.
‘Encouraging’ Movement
As part of the press release sent out by the EFL, chair Rick Parry said: “It’s encouraging that we are in a position to move forward with the next phase of the pilot programme and give a small number of our Clubs the opportunity to welcome back up to a 1,000 fans this week.
“The health and well-being of supporters and their wider communities remains the priority, but as we showed at Cambridge, social distancing can be applied safely. By extending across more EFL Clubs we hope to further demonstrate that the measures developed can allow fans to return in greater numbers from as early as next month.
“The requirement to welcome spectators back through turnstiles has not diminished in any way, the financial challenges facing EFL Clubs have been explained on numerous occasions, they are substantial and a problem that requires immediate solutions.”
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