Premier League to keep fans away with evidence of vaccination
Premier League will ask fans not to attend matches unless they have been fully vaccinated or can provide evidence of a recent negative Covid test for the rest of the season, despite the Government abandoning plans to introduce Covid passports for mass events.
According to The Sun, Clubs will continue to employ Covid marshals at games to carry out spot-checks of supporters’ Covid certification, and those without the required credentials may be barred from entering the stadium.
Some clubs are understood to have already ejected fans who were unable to demonstrate their Covid status in the opening weeks of the campaign.
The Premier League have been working with clubs to ensure they are ready to operate a vaccine passport system from October, but even though compulsory certification was ruled out by Health Secretary Sajid Javid on Sunday, the top flight have decided to go beyond the Government’s guidance.
With the Premier League’s twin priorities being the safety of fans and a determination to ensure that capacity crowds will be permitted all season, the clubs have agreed to continue demanding that fans bring their Covid Status Certification to matches, with those who are unable or unwilling to do so asked to stay at home.
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The Premier League are expected to reinforce this message through a series of public statements over the next few days, and individual clubs will also write to season-ticket holders and members with a reminder of their position.
In addition, the Premier League’s match-day Covid protocols will remain in place despite the Government rolling back much of the Covid legislation.
Fans will still be told to wear masks in indoor areas, avoid close contact with strangers at matches and follow the one-way systems that have been introduced at all stadiums.
Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has also produced a video for the Premier League urging fans to get vaccinated and to stay at home if they are showing symptoms of the virus.
The Premier League’s Covid protocols are the most rigorous in UK sport, with cricket and horseracing having abandoned placing restrictions on supporters towards the end of the summer.
Premiership Rugby will launch a publicity campaign before the return of the club season this weekend called Love of Rugby, which will encourage fans to arrive at games early, wear face coverings and keep a safe distance from others where possible.
Meanwhile, English football clubs will no longer have to play European matches in neutral countries if their opponents are from a red-list nation after the Government extended the elite sports exemption.
It will also allow players from overseas clubs to enter England even after travelling to red-list countries for international duty.
Zenit had to prevent Malcom and Claudinho from going on Brazil duty this month so they could travel to Tuesday night’s match at Chelsea.