Premier League chief pleads for rethink of stadium fan ban

The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain - May 5, 2018 A West Brom fan before the match [Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff]

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has pleaded with the government to rethink its stadium supporter ban, calling for football to be treated “fairly”.

Matches at the end of last season in the English top-flight and the beginning of the new campaign have been played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus crisis.

Plans to pilot a limited return of fans from October 1 were shelved last month due to tighter lockdown measures following a surge in cases of Covid-19 in Britain.

Masters said he welcomed the return of audiences to concert venues but said football stadiums should be included.

“It’s good news that (concert) venues can run socially distanced events indoors, it gives them a lifeline,” he said. “We are starting to see the return of the paying spectator at a ticketed event and we just believe that football should be allowed to do the same.

“We are asking for is consistency from government so that sport is treated as fairly as other activities.”

Estadio La Bombonera - October 8, 2020 General view of empty stands inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Marcelo Endelli