Determined Boris Johnson has insisted the UK Government are doing all they can to get fans back into stadiums "as soon as possible".
His upbeat message comes after a report on Tuesday claimed the Prime Minister told MPs privately that reopening sports grounds was "a personal priority".
Johnson and his aides are currently exploring the possibility of spectators being allowed into venues by Christmas in areas with the lowest coronavirus infection rates.
The 56-year-old did not give any specifics on the issue however when the matter was raised during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
He said: "I understand the frustration over fans and we hope to get crowds back in the ground as soon as possible."
But how does Johnson's stance compare to that of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon?
The SNP leader hasn't addressed fans returning to stadia in Scotland directly since blowing the whistle on it back on September 10.
There was hope "limited" spectators would trickle back into Scottish football fixtures but that hasn't happened outwith Tier 1 areas with Ross County welcoming 300 fans in for their clash with Livingston earlier this month.
But the situation has been further complicated with Glasgow and 10 other local council areas going in Tier 4 - the strictest of lockdowns that can be enforced.
That means while elite sport will continue, the new three-week sanctions pushes any potential return for fans to return for teams such as Celtic, Rangers, St Mirren and Motherwell even further back.
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has been a vocal proponent of getting punters back into stadiums and made a request to the First Minister last week.
He said: "What Scottish football needs is urgent dialogue, encouragement and a plan to get fans back safely. Will Nicola Sturgeon and Jason Leitch meet us?”
"“If we as fans don’t stand up for Scottish football… who else will? For us… nothing matters more!”
The pressure for the Scottish Government to let fans back in may have subsided slightly due to the announcement of the announcement this week but it will increase again over the coming weeks as Scottish football figures demand an update at least.
