33% Maximum Capacity - As Low as 17%.

Bristol City and Bristol Rovers suffer setback as only a third of fans to be allowed in stadiums
Boris Johnson last week confirmed that spectators could be able to return to stadiums in England from October

Football supporters across the country have suffered a huge blow after it was revealed that only a third of fans will be allowed in stadiums from October.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week confirmed that spectators could be able to return to stadiums in England from October.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport also said pilots will take place from 1 August but any stadium reopening would be subject to coronavirus guidelines.

But according to a draft document from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), published in The Times, stadiums will be at a maximum of 33 percent full and could be at as low as 17 percent of capacity when fans return in October.

The document states: "It is emphasised that capacity assessments arrived at after optimising seat allocations will be permitted only if it can be shown that the entry, exit and emergency exit capacities and, where applicable, the concourse capacity, can support such numbers when social distancing is in place."

While Peter Houghton, director of operations for the Football Safety Officers Association, told The Times: “Even Premier League clubs will not want capacities of 20 per cent or less for too long.

"Concourse capacities are going to be key to the amount of the stadium that can be used. Generally the older the stadiums the less space there is."

The move is expected to come as a huge financial blow to clubs up and down the country with one senior football official telling the publication: "These guidelines are problematic and could well make football lose even more money."

While Houghton added on the setback: "It’s a massive issue for League One, League Two and National League clubs and I don’t know how many will be willing to implement it because of the costs involved.

"There’s the cost of signage, stewarding, temperature checks. Clubs will be asking if it is worth them opening."

The report goes on to claim that clubs will be obliged to carry out risk assessments of their grounds and fans who apply for tickets will be required to carry out a personal risk assessment.

This is to consider whether their age or health makes them more vulnerable if they were to be infected with the Covid-19 virus, but both options currently available will allow for family groups to sit together without distancing.

Speaking last week, the Prime Minister said on fans returning to stadiums: "We will pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadiums with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn.

"From October, we intend to bring back audiences in stadiums. Again, these changes must be done in a Covid-secure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots."
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-bristol-rovers-suffer-43593409

 

I read somewhere that 12000 season tickets had been sold, only approx 9000 maximim capacity,how will they select the people being allowed to go.

 

"gasheads" will have a real problem, stadium capacity 12000, 4000 only allowed and they can get gates of 40000 plus they claim, life will be havoc up the minimal.