Newcastle United fans have taken a gallows humour approach to news of tier three restrictions being placed on the city.
Fans will remain unable to attend matches in tier three areas, whilst clubs in tier one and tier two will be allowed to welcome a small number of supporters to games.
The majority of Premier League clubs have been included in tier three areas, but Brighton, Southampton and clubs in London and Merseyside will be able to admit a maximum of 2,000 supporters to matches.
With the Magpies in poor form and playing some much-criticised football, plenty of fans have joked that manager Steve Bruce is probably pleased he will not have to face the wrath of St James's Park.
Tier areas will be reviewed on December 16 and then every two weeks.
All of Newcastle's matches will remain behind closed doors for the time being, with the Magpies not having away matches scheduled in tier two or tier one areas.
No elite football club has fallen in a tier one area but a handful of Premier League clubs, along with some EFL sides, have been included in tier two areas.
That means a maximum of 2,000 fans, or 50 per cent of a stadium's capacity - whichever is lowest - will be allowed to attend games.
The government are said to be preparing a code of conduct for fans to follow in order to attend matches.
That means there will likely be strict rules for fans to follow, such as not interacting with fans outside their social bubble.
Yet singing and shouting at matches is expected to be permitted.
With restrictions being reviewed on December 16, the earliest game Newcastle fans will be able to attend is at home to Fulham on December 19.
