Premier League approve fixture moves to accommodate supporters return

The Premier League has agreed to shift its fixture calendar to allow each club to play in front of its own supporters – but no away fans will be allowed.

Officials have now confirmed to clubs that the schedule will be readjusted so every team can play a home fixture in front of a crowd before the end of the campaign.

From May 17th, indoor venues will be allowed to admit up to a maximum of 1,000 spectators, or half their capacity if that figure is lower.

The London Stadium will be allowed a maximum of 10,000 fans. From June 21, there is the possibility that all legal restrictions on social contact are lifted, including at large scale events. But this will be dependent upon the ongoing rollout of the vaccine.

As expected, midweek round 36 matches scheduled for May 11/12 will be put back to the weekend of May 15/16.

Round 37 matches will now take place on May 18/19, which pushes them beyond the May 17 date set for the allowing of the return of fans in limited numbers. The final matches of the season remain on Sunday, May 23.

Gates will be limited at either 10,000 or 25 per cent of stadium capacity – whichever is lower and subject to the Government giving the green light, which is expected no later than May 10.

The Premier League say that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have confirmed they have no plans to revise the ‘no away fans’ element of their guidance. Police have asked when travelling fans are expected to be allowed to return but a decision is not expected before the end of the current season.

The aspiration remains for a return to full capacities in August for the start of the next Premier League season.

About Sean Whetstone

I am Season Ticket Holder in West stand lower at the London Stadium and before that, I used to stand in the Sir Trevor Brooking Lower Row R seat 159 in the Boleyn Ground and in the Eighties I stood on the terraces of the old South Bank. I am a presenter on the West Ham Podcast called MooreThanJustaPodcast.co.uk. A Blogger on WestHamTillIdie.com a member of the West Ham Supporters Advisory Board (SAB), Founder of a Youtube channel called Mr West Ham Football at http://www.youtube.com/MrWestHamFootball, I am also the associate editor here at Claret and Hugh. Life Long singer of bubbles! Come on you Irons! Follow me at @Westhamfootball on twitter

One comment on “Premier League approve fixture moves to accommodate supporters return”

Taffyhammer April 18, 2021 at 12:31 pm Reply

Really sad that people have to push the boundaries. All for the sake of what? Massive risk of normalising the current situation. Just wait until the start of next season. Absolutely no point allowing a few people to mix and mingle showing no regard for the rest of the population. Opens the doors for excuses for any gatherings. Irresponsible beyond belief.
Grow up and show some civic awareness Premier League.
COYI

West Ham News