MPs set to debate plans for fans to return to top level football
MPs are set to debate a petition calling for football fans to be allowed back into stadiums.
The petition, which has almost 200,000 signatures, warns that smaller clubs will go out of business unless supporters are allowed to return to matches.
Top level football in England has been played behind closed doors since the first lockdown in March.
Ministers had planned for the return of fans from October 1, but scrapped the idea due to a rise in Covid cases across the country.
Premier League clubs including Villa, Albion and Wolves have since been told that fans are unlikely to return until March 2021 at the earliest, although Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said the ban will be kept under review.
Club officials and supporters have pointed out that limited numbers of fans have been allowed into stadiums in countries including France and Germany, while in England cinemas and some theatres opened to the public before the second lockdown.
A statement from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: "Football clubs form the bedrock of our communities and play a vital role in the local economy.
"Their importance has been clearly demonstrated throughout the pandemic with clubs at all levels providing incredible support to their area.
"That is why the Government is committed to supporting sports clubs up and down the country, with many football clubs benefitting from the Government’s unprecedented financial support to businesses.
"The Government is fully aware of the importance of getting spectators back into stadia for many sports, and the financial consequences of the decision not to allow this from October 1.
"The evidence received from the Chief Medical Officer was very clear that at a time of rapidly rising infections, and when the Government was considering restrictions elsewhere, it was not the right time to undertake any further easements.
"We will continue to work closely with a whole range of sports to understand the latest thinking that might allow spectators to return.
"This includes the creation of a new Sports Technology Innovation Working Group of sporting bodies and health experts to analyse new technologies which might support this.
"This will supplement the draft government guidance, and the SGSA supplementary guidance to their Green Guide, which has been internationally welcomed.
"We are committed to getting spectators back into stadia as soon as it is safe to do so."
Since the start of the stadium ban, successful pilot events where 1,000 supporters were let in have taken place at grounds including Shrewsbury Town's Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Limited numbers of fans were also allowed at grassroots level games, although leagues have now been halted due to the second lockdown.
The debate will take place on November 9, led by Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis.
