Both the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies will be without fans at home games in 2020, a city official said Tuesday.
“The Eagles will still be allowed to play, albeit without crowds,” Brian Abernathy told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “The Phillies will be allowed to continue playing, although without crowds.”
The city announced Tuesday that all public events of more than 50 people requiring a permit are prohibited until February due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although NFL games are considered private events, NFL guidelines give local authorities the right to ban games from viewers. As such, city officials can override the team if they try to allow fans.
However, the city is confident that the games will be playable behind closed doors. Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said the league’s safety protocols “look pretty good,” and he is optimistic that the season will be played.
“I think the games can be played with the kind of security precautions they propose,” Farley said. “I think they may have viewers in those games. There is no way they are safe having a crowd there. I can’t say what the plans are for the league, but from a security perspective, they can play games but not [have] crowds “.
The ban also affects college football. The annual Army-Navy game is scheduled to be played at Lincoln Financial Field on December 12, while Temple University plays its home games at the stadium. Everything will be played without fans.
Abernathy, who oversees the city’s operating departments, will resign in the coming weeks due to the unrest following the murder of George Floyd, according to the Investigator.
The ban also excludes private events with fewer than 50 people, although they must comply with local health guidelines.
MLB is expected to start its season later this month after a coronavirus-related hiatus, while the NFL is slated to begin in September.
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