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LONDON: Premier League CEO Richard Masters hailed a test event for partial fan return as a success, after 2,500 fans attended Brighton’s friendly with Chelsea.
Strict social distancing measures were taken for Saturday’s 1-1 draw in the preseason friendly at Amex Stadium.
It was the first time fans had been allowed onto a Premier League pitch since the top flight was suspended in March due to the coronavirus. The competition resumed in June behind closed doors.
Saturday’s game was one of a series of test events announced by the government for a gradual return of spectators in a variety of sports.
“Brighton and Hove Albion did a fantastic job of their test event for the return of the fans and it was great to see the fans in a Premier League stadium for the first time since March,” said Masters.
“The success of having 2,500 fans at Amex was very encouraging and we are committed to having full stadiums as soon as possible, with safety always our priority. We are working hard together with our clubs, the government and the security authorities to achieve this.”
Brighton CEO Paul Barber said the event went smoothly.
“Credit to our fans: They followed the guidelines, listened to requests from our stewards, and even at the end, when they stayed to listen to on-pitch managers’ interviews on our stadium screens, they stayed in their seats and watched the nets social distancing “.
On Sunday, the government announced the formation of the Sport Tech Innovation Group, which will include the Premier League and other sports bodies, to explore high-tech solutions to allow more fans to enter stadiums.
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, said this weekend marks “an important milestone” in the recovery of sport.
“I’m doing everything I can to get the fans back in the stands, following the teams and enjoying the sports they love,” he said. “The economic health of the sport also depends on its return to the stadiums.”
“We have sounded the opening whistle for the fans to return safely, but our work will not be finished until all the fans are back where they belong,” he added.
The new Premier League season begins behind closed doors on September 12.
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Strict social distancing measures were taken for Saturday’s 1-1 draw in the preseason friendly at Amex Stadium.
It was the first time fans had been allowed onto a Premier League pitch since the top flight was suspended in March due to the coronavirus. The competition resumed in June behind closed doors.
Saturday’s game was one of a series of test events announced by the government for a gradual return of spectators in a variety of sports.
“Brighton and Hove Albion did a fantastic job of their test event for the return of the fans and it was great to see the fans in a Premier League stadium for the first time since March,” said Masters.
“The success of having 2,500 fans at Amex was very encouraging and we are committed to having full stadiums as soon as possible, with safety always our priority. We are working hard together with our clubs, the government and the security authorities to achieve this.”
Brighton CEO Paul Barber said the event went smoothly.
“Credit to our fans: They followed the guidelines, listened to requests from our stewards, and even at the end, when they stayed to listen to on-pitch managers’ interviews on our stadium screens, they stayed in their seats and watched the nets social distancing “.
On Sunday, the government announced the formation of the Sport Tech Innovation Group, which will include the Premier League and other sports bodies, to explore high-tech solutions to allow more fans to enter stadiums.
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, said this weekend marks “an important milestone” in the recovery of sport.
“I’m doing everything I can to get the fans back in the stands, following the teams and enjoying the sports they love,” he said. “The economic health of the sport also depends on its return to the stadiums.”
“We have sounded the opening whistle for the fans to return safely, but our work will not be finished until all the fans are back where they belong,” he added.
The new Premier League season begins behind closed doors on September 12.
