[ad_1]
Manchester United and Manchester City are among a long list of clubs whose matches must remain behind closed doors after Manchester was kept under Level 3 restrictions following a government review on measures to address COVID-19.
Manchester, and other areas of the country that had been placed at Level 3 on December 2 after the second national shutdown ended, were expected to downgrade to Level 2 as a result of falling rates of COVID-19 infection. in some regions.
Such a move would have meant that United and City could welcome 2,000 fans back to Old Trafford and Etihad respectively, and United has already received requests from season ticket holders for their match against Leeds at Old Trafford on Sunday.
However, it was announced on Thursday that Manchester, as well as much of the rest of the country, will remain under Level 3 restrictions, meaning that matches will be kept behind closed doors.
Sunday December 20 4:15 pm
Start 4:30 pm
However, there was relief for Liverpool and Everton fans as fans will still be able to attend the matches as the city of Liverpool remained under Level 2 restrictions. Anfield have hosted two Premier League matches with 2,000 fans. present in the last two weeks.
Wider areas in the South East will join London in stricter Level 3 restrictions, with most of the other areas hoping to be downgraded to Level 2 restrictions disappointed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s announcement in the House of Common on Thursday.
1:04
Manchester United will install 1,500 barrier seats at Old Trafford in early 2021 as Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper explains the club’s plans.
Brighton, Everton, Liverpool and Southampton are now the only Premier League teams that will be able to have fans in their stadiums. London clubs have joined others in the division, including City, United, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Leeds, Leicester and Wolves in being forced to play behind closed doors.
Up to 2,000 fans will be allowed to return to stadiums in Tier 2 regions, provided clubs continue to follow strict Covid-19 security measures. Bristol City and Bristol Rovers are the only Football League clubs that benefit from going from Tier 3 to Tier 2 and are therefore allowed to welcome fans.
Sky will show the Premier League live in virtual reality this weekend
Following the launch of Sky Worlds, the excitement of live football matches in the stadium is now available to all Sky VIP customers, offering them the opportunity to immerse themselves in a virtual experience of selected Premier League matches.
Sky Worlds allows Sky VIP customers to jump across the ground to watch the action from incredible new viewing positions, recreating the experience of watching games with the highest visual quality available in virtual reality.
Available now on Oculus Quest headsets, Sky Worlds is a virtual reality sports viewing experience like no other, with Chelsea taking on West Ham on Monday, December 21, live on Sky sports, after the first virtual reality game on Sunday, December 13, when Crystal Palace drew with Tottenham.
1:05
Sheffield United coach Chris Wilder admits that he is “jealous” that some Premier League clubs are allowed fans into their stadiums, while teams based in Level 3 areas, such as Sheffield Utd, no.
“Sky Worlds is a fantastic example of how technology can help replicate real-life experiences and create truly transformative viewing experiences, something that is so important right now given the limitations that fans have to attend live events in person, “said Matt McCartney, director of Immersive. Technology in Sky.
“Our work with Sky is the culmination of four years of effort and testing,” said Miheer Walavakar, co-founder and CEO of LiveLike. “Doing this with the world’s leading broadcaster and league is affirming our unique, comprehensive and customizable immersive experience and viewing capabilities.”
[ad_2]
