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Football fans could be allowed to return to stadiums to cheer on their team by autumn, the culture secretary has suggested.
Oliver Dowden said there had been “productive discussions” on how to get fans back into football grounds in time for next season.
Matchday revenue from ticket sales is crucial to the survival of most of the 72 clubs outside the big money 20-team Premier League, which resumes on Wednesday evening following a three-month enforced break due to coronavirus.
The Championship, the league below the Premier League, will also resume at the weekend but the seasons in League One and League Two have been curtailed, leading to concerns about the financial viability of clubs lower down the football pyramid.
Dowden said getting the top two leagues up and running would mean hundreds of millions of pounds of broadcasting revenue flowing into the game, which could be redistributed down the football pyramid to help lower league clubs.
And he suggested that the next two stages in the return to football action after the lockdown would first see international games staged, and then the potential return of fans to stadiums.
“Just today we have had very productive discussions about this, I would really hope that by the return of the new season we might be in a position whereby some fans can start to return to stadiums and I know that would be another important part of restoring the financial position of clubs,” he said.
Dowden indicated that fans could return to stadiums before audiences would be allowed back into theatres.
“I understand the need for all of these venues to return with people in them and, indeed, eventually without social distancing,” he said.
“But that can only be done if the public health allows it to happen.
“I think you see different scenarios – in relation to stadiums where people are outside and they are much bigger and there is more scope for social distancing, it may be that you could do that sooner.
“I know particularly with the performing arts and theatres, when you are doing that in a confined space there are greater risks there.”
He conceded it would be “challenging” and “exceptionally difficult” to get theatres in particular to reopen with social distancing by July 4, also noting they operate on “wafer-thin” profit margins that demand big audiences.
“We do need greater flexibility to overcome some of the very specific and practical obstacles to the return of live performance.
“So that’s why over the next week we will be convening experts in a targeted way, bringing together our leading performers in theatres, choirs and orchestras with medical experts and advisers.
“And the idea is that they will work together in detail to develop that roadmap which is so badly needed to performing safely - with a particular focus on piloting innovative ideas that may permit live performances.”
Dowden meanwhile urged football fans to stay away from stadiums for now, amid concerns that supporters of clubs chasing honours congregate to celebrate victory.
He said: “To keep the home advantage, support from home.”
The cabinet minister also said he was working closely to get grassroots and community sport back up and running “as soon as it is safe to do so - with an aim of the start of July at the very earliest”.