Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that test events for fans have been suspended in a major blow to Premier League, Football League and National League clubs as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Supporters have been returning to selected sporting events since July as the UK Government planned to get fans back in stadiums on a limited capacity basis permanently from October 1 at the earliest.
But a rise in coronavirus cases across the country has led to the UK Government making the call to suspend those test events pending a review.
In Johnson’s daily briefing he talked about new measures being taken after what he described was a ‘rapid rise in cases’ in the last few days.
Social gatherings of more than six people will be banned from Monday indoors or outdoors including homes, parks, pubs and restaurants. There will be £100 fines if people do not comply with this.
Organised sports in Covid-safe environments remain exempt. The measures are being taken to lessen the risk of a second wave which could lead to a second national lockdown.
“We must revise plans to pilot larger audiences in stadiums & review our intention to return audiences to stadiums from the 1st October,” Johnson said, adding that “organised sport will still be able to proceed”.
