Wembley chiefs in talks with Government to allow fans back into ground this year

THE FA will offer to let Wembley stage any trial test events to start getting crowds back in grounds.

Wembley chiefs have already joined in the discussions with the Government over the “Stage Five” protocols that would see supporters being allowed to attend matches.

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And FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “We would think Wembley is attractive for any trial and if that’s what the Government wants to do we’d be open to it.

“We would love to get the fans back as soon as possible and to have full stadiums again.

“That’s why we’re working with the Government.

“We have already looked at lots of options, trying to map out how we could start to let supporters in.

“Of course that includes whether social distancing means one metre or two metres and we’ve learned a lot.

“It’s pretty apparent that a stadium is a safe environment once you get in – everybody is facing the same way, in the open air.

“It’s far safer to watch a game in a stadium than in a pub but the issue is getting people in and out and the extra journeys they would be taking.”

The FA Cup final is set to take place on August 1 and football chiefs have reportedly considered allowing 10,000 supporters for each finalist if Britain gets Covid-19 fully under control.

Bullingham, who revealed the FA would need four years to repay the extra lending requirement to plug a Covid-19 financial gap of up to £300m, also pledged to do more to increase BAME representation at all levels of the game.

He said: “We have made progress but we’re not where we want to be, especially in terms of leadership and coaching. That needs to be addressed and we need to take action in that area.”

Bullingham also suggested the confirmation that seven matches at Euro 2020 will be played at Wembley, including England’s group games, both semi-finals and the final, would be good for the country.

He added: “We’ve all been through some really difficult times but hopefully hosting the final stages of the third biggest sporting event in the world will provide light at the end of the tunnel.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden recently revealed that fans could be allowed back in stadiums next season. 

He told the daily press briefing: “By the return of the new season, we might be in a position whereby some fans could start to return to stadiums.”

“(We are doing) intensive engagement (and discussions) on how we could get that done safely.

“Clearly we will look at positioning of fans, where they are relative to each other but there’s all the issue about how you get in and out of stadiums in a safe way, and how you have access to conveniences and everything else.”