Government wants fans back in December

Fans could be allowed back in English football grounds as early as next month according to the BBC.

BBC sources claim that Prime Minister Boris Johnson privately told MPs that the return of fans was a “personal priority” when it had previously looked as though fans wouldn’t return before April at the earliest.

The majority of stadia have been closed since March, although there were some successful trials across the EFL to start the 2020/21 season, but these plans were quickly curtailed as the UK’s R-rate of coronavirus infection increased dramatically.

Other countries continued to allow a percentage of supporters in stadiums, and a parliamentary petition to reconsider the UK's position garnered just under 200,000 votes, nearly twice the number required to trigger a debate in the House of Commons.

Following that debate on November 9th a government statement read, “We will take the earliest opportunity to look again at getting spectators safely back into stadia but this must clearly be done carefully against the prevailing health conditions.”

And now, according to the BBC, that date could be as early as this year, “in areas where rates of infections are significantly low.”

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, also held a meeting with supporters groups today where the issue of fans returning was also discussed.

Constructive conversation with football leaders on governance & £, diversity & getting fans back

I want to work together with football to make progress on important issues for the game's long-term future

Discussions to continue as we start our fan-led review of governance

— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) November 17, 2020