Fans finally return to football as select 4,000 spectators watch FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in test event
FOOTBALL finally welcomed back fans as 4,000 Leicester and Southampton followers streamed to Wembley for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final
The lucky ‘few’ strolled in the sunshine to the home of football without the usual packed pavements for such a big match.
But they looked ultra-relaxed and just happy to be there after the government let the FA select the clash as a one-off pilot event.
That’s before the May 17 nationwide date when crowds of up to 10,000 can officially return following the coronavirus lockdown.
But Brent Council successfully asked for its residents to be the only ones let in on Sunday – as a safety condition for this second semi-final.
And fans appeared to be in socially-distanced groups, arriving in dribs and drabs.
Masked stewards were busy inside and out of Wembley preparing for spectators well before the 6.30pm kick-off.
High-flying Leicester and their lowly Premier League rivals Southampton are bidding to reach the final against Chelsea on May 15.
It followed Saturday’s last-four tie behind closed doors, where the Blues overcame Manchester City 1-0.
Wembley chiefs hope 20,000 fans will be allowed in for the final.
And the FA will seek approval from Uefa for 45,000 or even more for the four knockout games it will be hosting in the Euros.
That includes both semi-finals and the final.
Those attending trial events, such as Sunday’s match, have to go through a strict procedure beforehand.
They have to show a negative lateral flow test result from the past 36 hours.
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And they must take a laboratory PCR test five days after the event
What’s more, all fans need to consent to taking part in the government’s research programme, with Test and Trace data shared with local authorities.
That will help detect any Covid-19 outbreaks in the local areas.
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