The wait goes on for Leeds United fans desperate to return to Elland Road, after the government confirmed that the city will remain at the Tier 3 coronavirus level.
The city has been in the toughest restrictions since the current system was introduced following November's national lockdown and despite falling infection rates and hospital admissions, will not be moved into Tier 2 after the government announced the results for their first fortnightly review of the tier system.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons: “The best way to get out of Tier 3 is to work to stop the spread of the virus. We have seen case rates fall across large parts of England.
“In places in Tier 3, we have seen case rates fall, but we are not there yet.”
Had the city been moved into Tier 2 it would have meant 2,000 fans would have been able to attend the December 27 clash at home to Burnley, but that will now again be played behind-closed-doors.
Leeds head to Old Trafford this weekend to renew their bitter rivalry with Manchester United and that will also be played in an empty stadium, as the city of Manchester is remaining in Tier 3.
Whites fans fans have not been present at Elland Road since March 7, when the Whites beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 to move back to the top of the Championship.
That means fans missed the run-in and subsequent title celebrations, plus the thrilling start the club have made back in the Premier League. A total of 13 matches have now been played behind-closed-doors at Elland Road, while Leeds have played in front of fans just once this term, the 3-1 defeat at Chelsea which took place before London was again put into Tier 3 restrictions.
Earlier this month Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear laid out how Elland Road will look when fans are finally allowed back into Elland Road.
Those with season tickets would be prioritised in any ballot and there are two plans for where supporters will sit.
“We’re looking at two scenarios,” Kinnear told The Square Ball’s podcast. “One is just the East Stand and then one is the three stands, but not the West.
“So what we do know is the West will be kept as the red/amber zone. It works very well from the playing perspective.
“It keeps all the players safe, all the media safe.
“That bit works well, so it’s whether we put people in one stand, which might be easier, but ideally, we’d like them spread across three because that demonstrates there’s more room for more supporters to come back.”
The government are due to review the current tier status for each area in the country every two weeks, meaning the next review is set to take place on December 30, with an announcement due the following day.
