What the Premier League said about new Covid-19 restrictions which could prohibit Sheffield United fans from returning to games for six months

Prime minister Boris Johnson announced a range of new restrictions in the House of Commons on Tuesday - including specifically "large sporting events" - and admitted that they could be in place for as long as six months.

Sheffield United fans have not been able to watch their team play in person since March, while there are fears that many clubs lower down the football pyramid will simply not survive without the much-needed income from paying fans.

“The Premier League notes the government’s announcement today and while the health of the nation must remain everyone’s priority, we are disappointed that the safe return of supporters to matches has been postponed,” a PL statement read.

“The Premier League is certain that, through League-wide guidelines and a code of conduct developed with scientific experts and agreed by the government’s Sports Ground Safety Authority, fans in stadiums will be as safe or even safer than at any other public activity currently permitted. This is already evident in other European leagues.

“Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them. Last season, Premier League clubs suffered £700m in losses and at present, our national game is losing more than £100m per month. This is starting to have a devastating impact on clubs and their communities.

“We are confident that Premier League clubs, using innovative ways to get supporters safely back into grounds, will enable revenues to return to all levels of the game, as well as maintain solidarity arrangements, current tax contributions and financial support for local and national economies.

“While there is a current pause in a date for fans returning to sports venues, the Premier League and our clubs will not slow down in our preparations for providing safe, bio-secure environments. We will continue to work with government to bring supporters safely back into grounds as soon as possible.”

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