A day after declaring Lincoln Financial Field essentially off-limits for Eagles fans in 2020, the city of Philadelphia is throwing the team a lifeline.
On Tuesday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney banned major events for six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
KYW Newsradio, which broke the news, reported that the ban will remain in effect until February 8, 2021. According to the report, the ban does not affect “stadiums and performance stadiums, so some professional sports could possibly return.”
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However, the Philadelphia Investigator later reported Tuesday that Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said “protocols for major sports leagues ‘look pretty good’ but having spectators would not be safe.” So there are no fans in the stands for the Eagles and the Phillies.
“I think that games can be played with the kind of security precautions they propose. I don’t think they can have viewers in those games. There’s no way they’re going to be safe having a crowd there, ”Farley said. “I can’t say what the plans are for the league, but from a security perspective, they can play games but not [have] crowds “.
“We have been in communication with the Eagles. We have told you that our expectations are that you have no fans. And I understand that the NFL guidelines also empower and remind teams that local authorities have the ability to ban fans, so I don’t expect any problems, “managing director Brian Abernathy said Tuesday.
But on Wednesday, the city was delaying its decision to some extent, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Kenney spokeswoman Deana Gamble clarified that the city may change its rules before or during the season. However, if there was a game tomorrow, viewers would not be allowed under current rules, he said. “The Eagles have been planning a variety of scenarios,” he said. “It is a fluid situation, and that policy is under constant review.”
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The Eagles’ first home game in the regular season at Lincoln Financial Field is scheduled for Sunday, September 20 against the Los Angeles Rams.
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