Fans back in? Premier League clubs believe Covid vaccine will open door for return of supporters early next year – with England’s hopes of remaining a key host for Euro 2020 also receiving a boost
- Premier League clubs feel Covid vaccine will lead to fans returning to grounds
- The FA are hopeful the development means England can host Euro 2020 games
- Premier League chief executive Richard Masters set to press for return of fans
- Hopes have been raised that fans will be able to return to stadiums in early 2021
- Premier League have plans in place for return, such as mass testing at turnstiles
Premier League clubs believe the apparent breakthrough in a successful Covid vaccine will open the door to fans returning to stadiums by the end of the season.
The FA are also hopeful that Monday’s welcome development will mean England can remain a key venue for the European Championship next summer.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is likely to press for fans to return after lockdown when he appears at a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Tuesday — and the promise of a successful vaccine will certainly boost those calls.
Premier League clubs believe fans could return to stadiums in the early months of 2021
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is likely to press for return of fans at a Department for Media Culture and Sport select committee after the latest lockdown
Preliminary analysis has shown that the first effective coronavirus vaccine — developed by Pfizer and BioNTech — can protect more than 90 per cent of people against Covid-19.
The UK expect to receive 10million doses by the end of the year, with a further 30million already ordered.
And the positive news will raise hopes that supporters can finally return to stadiums during the opening months of 2021.
The apparent breakthrough in a successful vaccine has given renewed hope for fans to return
The FA are hopeful that Wembley will still be one of the key venues for Euro 2020 next summer
That, together with the development of mass testing, will play a crucial role in the Premier League and EFL push to have supporters back as soon as possible.
Provided the vaccine and mass testing are available in early spring, the FA are hopeful medical advances will enhance the chances of Wembley remaining a focal point of the rescheduled Euro 2020 finals.
The Premier League and FA are working with the Sports Technology and Innovation Group and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority on ways to help facilitate the return of supporters, including mass testing at turnstiles.