Masks will be mandatory when fans return to Premier League grounds
December 3, 2020Updated 5:17 PM UTC
Face masks will be mandatory when fans return to Premier League grounds this weekend, reports Matt Slater.
The Athletic understands the Premier League will go beyond government guidelines on a number of safety measures as it tries to prove it can safely host fans. The league is eager to demonstrate it will be safe to gradually increase the limits on attendances.
This weekend will see supporters inside stadiums for top-flight games for the first time since March. Under the government's rules, the 10 clubs in tier two areas are capped at 2,000 fans, with the 10 in tier three areas still forced to play behind closed doors.
What rules are the Premier League putting in place?
It is understood that along with fans being made to wear face masks at all times, they will have to take a health questionnaire and agree to a club code of conduct to access their tickets.
At the ground itself, there will be a staggered entry and exit, temperature and ID checks, and strict enforcement of social distancing.
All fans will also have to sign up to NHS Track and Trace.
Is this what the government are asking for?
Not exactly. The Premier League are thought to be going further than the government's demands when they agreed to let fans return to stadiums.
The league are lobbying hard for pilots on bigger capacities. They want to put "additional mitigation" in to prove stadiums are safe.
What about singing?
This will actually be allowed inside grounds, although there will be limits.
It is understood that there will be opposition to "excessive" singing, with hopes fans will be able to "moderate" their behaviour.
When will fans return?
Some EFL games on Wednesday night saw the return of fans after the second national lockdown was lifted.
On Thursday evening, Arsenal will have 2,000 fans in attendance when they take on Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.
But the first Premier League game with fans will be Saturday evening's clash between West Ham and Manchester United at the London Stadium — where these rules will be in place.
(Photo: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
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