Government may insist football fans, including Sheffield United supporters, use Covid passports to get back into grounds next season

Covid-19 laws are set to be removed from Monday – the so-called Freedom Day in the UK – but with cases of coronavirus rising by the day, prime minister Boris Johnson will urge venues expecting large crowds to adopt Covid certification – either proof of two doses of the vaccine, or a negative test.

Such measures have been used in sporting test events, including Wimbledon and the recent European Championship games at Wembley, but further measures including staggered kick-off times may be implemented in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus when the new season starts, and grounds return to full capacity.

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No confirmation has yet been received about such logistical details ahead the start of the season – which is three weeks tomorrow, at home to Birmingham City – but a government source told The Telegraph that they are going to “strongly encourage” sports to use so-called Covid passports, adding that it may prevent stadia being ordered to reduce capacity again if nationwide restrictions return.

In a survey conducted by The Star earlier this summer, over two thirds of United fans would be willing to wear a face mask, observe social distancing regulations and sign up for a so-called ‘vaccine passport’ if it meant they were allowed back into Bramall Lane to watch their side next season.

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When asked if they would be willing to sign up for a passport if it meant returning to Bramall Lane quicker, 67.7 per cent of fans said ‘yes’. A further 11.9 per cent said maybe, with only 20.4 per cent saying no.

But the poll was conducted early last month, when the country was still under Covid-19 restrictions, and attitudes may well change once Freedom Day has come and gone next Monday.

United have not played in front of a full Bramall Lane since last March, when they beat Norwich 1-0 to continue their push for a place in Europe.

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