Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced that fans can return to watch games in limited numbers from May 17th.

Johnson has outlined a roadmap for easing the current lockdown restrictions in four steps. Fans return to stadia and indoor arenas is an aspect of step three with further increases in numbers step four.

Step three will see smaller stadia allowed to accommodate 4,000 supporters or half their capacity, whichever is lower, while the biggest grounds such as Wembley and the larger Premier League venues will be able to admit 10,000 or a quarter of their capacity. It’s hoped that step four will see restrictions lifted further from June 21st.

“The turnstiles of our sports stadia will once again rotate, subject in all cases to capacity limits depending on the size of the venue,” Johnson said.

The plans mean that fans could be back for the end of the Premier League campaign on May 23rd and also some of the EFL play-offs.

The final games of the three EFL divisions are being played over the weekend of May 8th and 9th with the semi-finals due to start on May 15th. The finals have been set for the weekend of May 29th-31st.

The summer also sees Euro 2020 with England hosting group fixtures against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic at Wembley in June.

The Czech game could be played in front of a bigger crowd and there are hopes that the semi-finals and final may be played in front of a capacity crowd.

Photo: Pagepix

DebsyAngel added 17:01 - Feb 22 The season will be over then, so no point!
6

CavendishBlue added 17:03 - Feb 22 Season will be over by end March!!!!!
7

PSGBlue added 17:07 - Feb 22 I doubt we have currently got 4000 fans who want to come back anyway!
14

SheptonMalletBlue added 17:17 - Feb 22 Our season's over now!!!!!!
3

CornardBlue added 17:25 - Feb 22 Watching paint dry is more exciting than watching Ipswich with Lambert manager
6

therein61 added 17:25 - Feb 22 I doubt we would get a man and his dog if Marcus beggars belief and keeps Lambo, i hope i'm wrong but i have a feeling Marcus is going to bottle out of sacking him.
3

therein61 added 17:27 - Feb 22 Pearson has gone to Bristol city Bristol rovers have Barton in Ipswich have a clown in.
7

sospier added 17:39 - Feb 22 This only benefits the top leagues.Doubt very much anybody will want to go next season if Lambert is still here.
5

TractorRoyNo1 added 17:43 - Feb 22 That's a relief won't have to see them live until Lambert has gone in the summer
2

ThaiBlue added 18:12 - Feb 22 Lucky 4 the fans its may,who wants 2 pay 2 watch this mob.
3

stiffy501 added 18:14 - Feb 22 Play off's !!! were still in the mix !!!!!
0

BlueArrow added 18:39 - Feb 22 Just renewed my Essex County cricket membership rather spend the money there until Evans has slung his hook.
2

Robert_Garrett added 19:36 - Feb 22 BRING BACK RELIABLE MICK MCCARTHY!
-2

Pencilpete added 21:02 - Feb 22 I think the real question is .... does anybody actually want to go back and watch this drivel ?
3

alfromcol added 21:44 - Feb 22 Pearson has gone to Bristol city Bristol rovers have Barton in. Some good news at last.
1

Umros added 07:56 - Feb 23 Clearly would be For new season, still, will show Evans the discontent by 1. People not bothering resulting in sub 10k attendances, 2. The toxicity of the remainder. I'm in the former. No action. No return.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 08:30 - Feb 23 fans will need to be rounded up and forced in at gunpoint, Evans probably recruiting unemployed club bouncers ,to form press gangs .
1

BangaloreBlues added 10:58 - Feb 23 Our last match is on May 8. This government is taking the biscuit. By the time the next season starts, they will say there is a new strain and we need to go into lockdown, and fans won't be allowed into stadiums. I'm not actually joking either, it's all too predictable. And Evans will have a shock when only 1,387 fans buy season tickets, even when they have been reduced to £8.75.

2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls