REVEALED: Premier League clubs expecting up to 500 away fans to return to stadiums for the last two games of the season
- Premier League clubs are preparing for up to 10,000 fans to watch final games
- Public Health England yesterday agreed to let away fans join the party
- Top flight rules require up to 10 per cent of the stadium capacity to be provided for away fans but the Premier League has told clubs to prepare for five per cent
- The actual number of away supporters will be set by local safety authorities
Premier League clubs have been told to prepare for up to 500 away fans during the last two rounds of matches this season.
Sportsmail understands that Public Health England signed off on the principle of away fans at fixtures this season, on Thursday.
It marks a victory for the Premier League, which has been working hard to overcome scepticism among officials about the return of away supporters
Under the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, clubs are preparing to allow up to 10,000 fans to return to stadiums – or 25 per cent of the capacity – which ever is lower.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has written to clubs to advise them that the government is prepared to relax the ‘no away fans’ stipulation in current guidance, according to The Times.
Premier League rules require clubs to allow away fans access to 10 per cent of the stadium capacity, up to a maximum of 3,000.
However, the top flight has proposed to reduce that requirement to five per cent in order to encourage the local safety authorities to approve the move.
For every game, a Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which includes representatives of the club, emergency services for the area and the local council, must approve the plans for the match, including the attendance of away supporters.
A source close to the negotiations over away fans told Sportsmail that in reality the number of away fans in attendance at matches would be ‘piecemeal’ across the country, as SAGs will take a different view in different areas.
In the letter Masters has sent to the clubs, which has been seen by The Times, he states: ‘The return of fans and ultimately full stadiums remains our primary goal, therefore our view is that we must accept the opportunity to host as wide a range of supporters as possible.
‘That being the case, the Executive proposes an away ticket allocation of 5 per cent of available capacity (a maximum of 500 away fans) at round 37 and 38 matches, respecting the £30 away ticket price cap.’
‘This policy is designed to accommodate away supporters, maximise home fan numbers and reduce the likelihood of SAG resistance,’ says the letter.’