The FA have reportedly scrapped plans for the Community Shield clash between Liverpool and Arsenal to be used as a test event for fans' return to stadiums.
The Wembley match at the end of this month had been suggested by football bosses as a chance to allow fans back into a football stadium for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown.
Supporters have not been allowed into grounds since the lockdown was announced back in March, with the football having restarted in June behind closed doors due to fears over Covid-19.
But after pilots involving other sports were cancelled this month, the FA have accepted that the August 29 game is too early for fans to return, according to the Daily Mail.
The publication reports that the FA believe there is not time to organise the return of supporters, even if the Government gives the go-ahead following a review of the north west local lockdown, due this Saturday.
It would also be costly to put the measures in place for fans to attend, as well as logistical nightmare to organise aspects such as tickets and security in such a short space of time.
Goodwood racecourse had been licensed to admit 5,000 members to the final day of Glorious Goodwood on August 1, before the Government performed a U-turned a day before.
The decision was made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson due to concerns about the national coronavirus infection rate, with pilots in cricket and snooker also cancelled.
"Pilots of crowds at sports events will now not take place," the Prime Minister said at the time.
This year's Community Shield match, the traditional curtain-raiser to the football season in the UK, will see Jurgen Klopp's Premier League champions Liverpool take on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, who extend the club's all-time rleading number of FA Cup triumphs to 14.
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