The Premier League’s strict rules around games behind closed doors are still proving complex for some, with the reserve match official for Chelsea’s 3-2 win away to Crystal Palace stopped from gaining access to the changing areas at Selhurst Park as he did not have the correct credentials.
Andrew Laver was initially denied entry to the area for match officials because it was in the red zone and the reserve official is meant to remain in the amber zone unless called into action.
Referee David Coote also asked for Laver to be allowed in despite the rules saying otherwise.
The confusion may be explained by some grounds having their designated areas for match officials in the amber zone. Palace’s room is in the red zone, which is meant for only essential persons with direct impact on the game.
A number of stadiums are using temporary rooms such as player lounges or executive suites to house officials to ensure social distancing measures are met.
Laver is part of the testing pool and would have been designated red zone access if needed to step in for an injured or unwell colleague, per Premier League regulations.
“Only people who have had tests in the five days before a match can enter [the red zone],” the league’s guidance said. “The zone includes the pitch, the technical area, the tunnel and the dressing rooms.
“These people must have a "clinical passport", a bar code either as a print-out or on their phone. This is scanned to check their most recent test result is negative before they can enter the stadium.”
