Return of fans at football games on hold after rise in coronavirus cases

The government has postponed its plans to allow fans back in sporting venues from 1 October because of the growing number of Covid-19 cases.
The Shay Stadium, HalifaxThe Shay Stadium, Halifax
The Shay Stadium, Halifax

When asked on BBC Breakfast this morning (Tuesday) whether the planned return of spectators to sporting events from October 1 would now be happening, government minister Michael Gove MP said: “No. We were looking at a staged programme of more people returning.

“It wasn’t going to be the case that we would have stadiums thronged with fans, and we’re looking, for the moment, at how we can pause that programme.

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“We want to make sure that, as and when circumstances allow, get more people back. The virus is less likely to spread outdoors than indoors but it’s in the nature of major sporting events that there’s lots of mingling.

“We recognise that sport is a vital part of this nation and we’re looking at everything we can do in order to support our athletes, our great clubs through what will be a challenging time.”

FC Halifax Town’s season gets underway on October 3 when they host Dagenham and Redbridge at The Shay.