Sports fans will return to live matches starting December 2 with Premier League stadiums open again as the rules are relaxed.

FOOTBALL fans will be back in the stadiums next Wednesday, but thousands will still be locked out.

The Secretary of Culture, Oliver Dowden, confirmed yesterday the lifting of the national ban as of December 2.

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The ad is a potential survival lifeline for clubs in Leagues One and Two, the National League, the rugby union and horse racing.

The grounds have been empty since the start of the first Covid-19 lockdown in March.

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Outdoor gates should be capped at just 4,000, and even that depends on what level a club location is at.

Dowden explained that clubs in Level One areas, where Covid restrictions are the least severe, will be allowed 50 percent of their capacity up to that maximum of 4,000.

Those in Tier Two will be restricted to 2,000 or 50 percent, again, whichever is lower, but Tier Three clubs will remain empty.

The tiers are scheduled to be announced on Thursday but, based on pre-this latest lockout, the only Prem clubs that will be allowed to have 4,000 full fans will be Brighton and Southampton.

The rivals from the South Coast will face each other on the weekend of December 5, the first round of action after the rules are relaxed.

And 22 of the 69 English clubs in the EFL would too.

It leaves it to the clubs to vote on season ticket holders to decide who enters, with giant Tier 2 stadiums in Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle restricted to one fan for every 30 seats.

Clubs know they will face criticism if they put corporate fans ahead of normal game goers, while some may question whether it is profitable; It is understood that Wembley needs crowds of 10,000 at the events to cover expenses.

Many teams from the North will have to continue playing in empty stadiums, and strict Level 3 restrictions are expected to remain in place.

Based on those previous levels a whopping SEVEN Prem and 20 clubs in the EFL, including high-level giants Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, will follow NO Any fan will be allowed.

Burnley’s Turf Moor is another that will remain closed and Chief Sean Dyche said: “It’s a starting point.

“Even if it’s limited numbers, it brings that feeling and that connection back. Hopefully it will build quickly after that. We have missed our fans. “

But Salford owner Gary Neville said: “So some clubs will have fans backing them up at home games and others will have empty stadiums with no fans. Unfair competition or not?

A statement from the Premier League added: “Fans have been greatly missed and we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement of the return of fans for the first time since March, albeit in small numbers.

“Our ambition remains to work with the government to increase aid to more substantial levels.

“Until this can be done, many fans will not be able to attend the games and our clubs will continue to operate games with financial losses.”

Only local fans will be allowed in, with clubs mandated to enforce strict social distancing.

Clubs may require fans to have a “Covid passport” and proof that they are free from infection, although that is unconfirmed.

Dowden, who also announced that grassroots and children’s sports may return, said: “I am delighted that we are able to turn the turnstiles earlier than expected, taking a cautious approach.

“I’m confident sports will take every step to ensure fans are safe, and fans will do their part and take care of each other until we can get everyone back in safely.”

EFL bosses are ready to bulk shift next week’s midweek match roster to Wednesday to get some fans through the door.

An EFL spokesperson said: “We look forward to the reopening of some stadiums as we finally welcome fans after eight long months away.

“It is an important step towards a return to normalcy, as well as being crucial in addressing the significant revenue gap left by the lack of viewers and other sources of income as a result of the pandemic.”

Despite the sense of frustration over the limited numbers, the Soccer Fans Association said: “For many clubs in the lower leagues and non-leagues in particular, getting paid fans to enter safely is critical to survival.”

Indoor stadiums will be capped at 1,000, a boost for boxing and darts.

And the news opens the way for 1,000 fans to watch Anthony Joshua defend his WBA, IBF and WBO titles against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on The O2 on December 12.

Up to 1,000 fans could attend the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in late December, with Twickenham able to let 2,000 in for the likely Fall Nations Cup final between England and France and the crowd would also return in matches. rugby league.

Kempton will be able to admit bettors for the Hunt for King George VI on Boxing Day.

The restrictions will be a blow to the biggest soccer clubs that typically get five-figure doors.

But for several smaller clubs, the reopening, even on a reduced scale, of their main source of income will be a huge boost.

Many lower-league clubs have been on the brink of bankruptcy, and bailouts have already been required to keep them going.

The Prem clubs, who were still waiting for details, will be less impressed.

Spurs president Daniel Levy announced today that his club will face a loss of £ 150 million for this season if fans remain excluded throughout the campaign.

But allowing just 2,000 fans at Tottenham’s 62,000-capacity stadium could make it more expensive to reopen than keeping the ground closed until the maximum number of attendance is higher.

Club bosses have been calling for a change in government stance since the initial shutdown in March.

Rehearsals of up to 2,000 supporters were held in early fall ahead of a possible nationwide launch on October 2.

But that was canned when the second wave of the virus arrived, before the second ongoing lockdown began earlier this month.

Now it appears that the government is ready to demonstrate that it is possible to return to “normality”, and allowing fans to participate again in sporting events will be an important milestone.

However, the clubs do not know exactly what it will mean and are struggling to get as much information as possible.

But for fans and clubs at the lower echelons, as well as the National League, the news will be a genuine lifesaver and perhaps the key to their financial survival.

Premier League bosses also hope that the launch of massive tests will mean that people can get back to the beautiful game in the near future.

Fans could take new quick results tests, which provide a result in less than 30 minutes, the day before they are allowed to enter.

They could show proof of their negative test and be allowed to sit in the stands.

Rapid results tests have been tried in Liverpool and given to people with and without symptoms to try to track cases of the virus.

They will spread out across the country to try to crack down on asymptomatic cases and isolate them.

The faster tests are also expected to be used to eliminate the isolation period, it was reported today.

People who were close contacts of a positive case of Covid will be offered a daily test, which if negative will allow the person to continue their life normally.

Only if it is positive will they have to isolate themselves, which means that people can get rid of 14 days of staying home.

The idea is being tested in Liverpool and will be rolled out across the NHS and the rest of the country in the new year if it is successful.