REVEALED: Premier League are lobbying for fans to be allowed back in for last TWO rounds of matches without prior test events... with clubs arguing they don't need dress rehearsals after success of already welcoming crowds of 2,000
- The Government are planning to allow football supporters back from May 17
- Crowds of 10,000 or 25 per cent capacity will be allowed at venues by this date
- Premier League clubs want to push back penultimate weekend by a few days
- Top-flight clubs want Government to allow fans to return for two match rounds
The Premier League are lobbying Government for permission to stage two rounds of matches with a stadium capacity of 25 per cent in May without the need for prior test events.
The clubs have indicated their desire to push the fixtures scheduled for the penultimate weekend of the season back a few days until after 17 May when it is hoped the country will enter step three of the Government's post-lockdown roadmap, at which point crowds of 10,000 or 25 per cent capacity will be permitted at sporting venues.
A series of test events are due to be held at in mixture of venues in April and May, but the clubs are arguing that they do not need to stage dress rehearsals as the majority welcomed up to 2,000 fans back without problems when the tier system was in operation earlier in the season.
The Government are currently planning to allow fans back in stadiums from May 17 onwards
Whilst talks remain ongoing the Government are understood to be receptive, and will not insist on every club holding a test event before 17 May.
Instead an handful of tests at a range of venues will take place across sport, with the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on 25 April initially earmarked for football, although that has yet to be confirmed.
Moving the penultimate round of fixtures back would enable every club to have one game with fans in attendance, which is seen as important for preserving the integrity of the Premier League, particularly as crucial issues regarding relegation and European qualification could be determined in those matches.
As Sportsmail reported last week round 36 of the Premier League would also have to be put back to the weekend of 15 and 16 May to facilitate the switch, as the broadcasters will not accept a blank weekend.
Premier League clubs want the last two rounds of fixtures to be played in front of supporters
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