Premier League supporters' groups insist they WANT Covid passports to be used so stadiums can operate at full capacity next season - but government needs to decide soon with only SEVEN weeks until kick-off


  • Sportsmail has spoken to fans and supporter groups who want to return safely to football grounds from next season and happy to use Covid passports
  • Fans urge government to communicate its intentions and start planning now
  • Passports include proof of vaccination, a negative test or natural immunity
  • NHS Covid Passes are being tested at events this summer, including Euro 2020Premier League football fans and supporters’ groups have given their backing to the use of covid passes to secure full capacity at stadiums next season.

    And they want the government to hurry up and approve the scheme so clubs and fans can prepare for matches that begin on August 13, only seven weeks away.

    The passes, which demonstrate a person has had two vaccinations, a recent negative test or natural immunity against the virus, are being used in a series of pilot events this summer.

    And the football authorities and government anticipate they will still be required after the delayed Freedom Day on July 19, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to lift many restrictions.

    Leicester City's fan group, Foxes Trust, is in favour of NHS Covid passes to secure full crowds

    Leicester City's fan group, Foxes Trust, is in favour of NHS Covid passes to secure full crowds

    Football, and other major sports, have made clear to government that they believe Covid Passes will be necessary to secure and maintain full houses next season as levels of the virus wax and wane with the seasons. Without them, they fear grounds may reopen in August, only to close again a few months later.

    In addition, Culture Secretary Michael Gove has indicated that the passes may be required at larger stadiums, with capacities above 20,000, because crowds of that size increase the risk of spread on public transport as people travel to and from the game.

    Covid Passes are now set to be tested in the third phase of the government’s Events Research Programme. It includes four Euro 2020 knockout matches with capacities up to 60,000 and the Grand Prix at Silverstone, where up to 140,000 spectators will attend. 

    However, a review of the scheme undertaken by the Cabinet Office, under the leadership of Mr Gove, still appears well away from reaching a conclusion with test events scheduled into mid-July.

    ‘We are supportive because the main aim is to get fans back in and enjoying the beautiful game,’ said Matt Davis, a committee member at the Foxes Trust, which represents the supporters of Leicester City.

    Developing the NHS Covid Pass gives football a chance  of full houses for the 2021-22 season

    Developing the NHS Covid Pass gives football a chance  of full houses for the 2021-22 season

    ‘If this is what it takes then so be it.’

    This pragmatic view is typical of football fans spoken to by Sportsmail and in contrast with some MPs, who remain sceptical for ideological, as well as some practical reasons.

    The Foxes Trust, like other groups, would like assurances that the passes are time limited. They also emphasize the need to quickly think through how they will be integrated with current entry requirements.

    ‘On our board the unanimous view was, ‘yes’ [to Covid passes],’ added Davis.

    Socially distanced crowds of up to 10,000 spectators were allowed to return to Premier League matches last week

    Socially distanced crowds of up to 10,000 spectators were allowed to return to Premier League matches last week

    For the test events about to begin, the NHS App has been modified so that it can display a person’s vaccination status, and also pull in the results of a recent negative lateral flow test or a positive PCR test, which can demonstrate infection in the last six months. This makes the app more inclusive than what has gone before.

    The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has given its backing to the scheme.

    ‘The most important thing is the health, safety and well-being of supporters, but within that, any scheme that gets supporters back in is a good idea,’ said Dan Silver from Chelsea Supporters’ Trust.

    ‘Our fans are desperate to get back, like many others. Schemes like this have our full support.’

    Chelsea fans have enjoyed more matches than most after attending the FA Cup and the Champions League finals, and the supporters' trust would support Covid Passes

    Chelsea fans have enjoyed more matches than most after attending the FA Cup and the Champions League finals, and the supporters' trust would support Covid Passes

    And London rivals Arsenal also want a pass approved as soon as possible to get the season on track.

    ‘The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust would support a well-managed Covid Pass system,’ said a trust spokesman. ‘It must cater for those who do not have access or cannot take the vaccine.

    ‘But in principle, we fully support the initiative to get the grounds full from the first day of the season.’

    Earlier this year, all major sports wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the leaders of the main political parties to make the case for Covid passports, as the most secure way to bring capacity crowds.

    In trial events fans have  been tested for covid prior to and after attendance at matches

    In trial events fans have  been tested for covid prior to and after attendance at matches

    Since then, Bill Bush, the executive director of the Premier League, has told MPs that the only way for clubs to escape the financial ‘torture’ of the Covid crisis is through the use of passes.

    He stressed last month that even if the passes are not required in August, they almost certainly will be in the autumn and winter when infection rates may rise again. And football needs to avoid an other stop-start season if it is safe to do so.

    Bush’s words appeared more prescient than ever yesterday when the PM warned of a ’rough’ winter ahead and refused to rule out further restrictions.

    Meanwhile, the chairman of the Manchester City Official Supporters’ Club, Alan Galley, who has been supporting his team since 1955, has absolutely no doubt that a Covid Pass is needed.

    The chairman of the Man City fans' group, Alan Galley, has no objection to Covid passes

    The chairman of the Man City fans' group, Alan Galley, has no objection to Covid passes

    ‘I have not got any objection to it,’ said Galley. ‘Anything that gets us back into the stadiums is welcome. My personal view is ‘yes’.’

    Galley travelled to Porto to watch City in the final of the Champions League in April, which they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.

    Premier League executive director Bill Bush told MPs government should prepare for covid passports

    Premier League executive director Bill Bush told MPs government should prepare for covid passports

    ‘It was a nightmare for five days before, taking tests, obtaining certificates and more tests. To get something like a passport that would cover it for a number of games would be ideal.'

    Manchester United fan Oli Winton is also keen. 

    ‘I am extremely comfortable with it,’ said Winton, a member of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, but speaking in a personal capacity.

    ‘We do not want to create a two-tier society, so including lateral flow tests means people are not ruled out.

    ‘And I don’t think there has been a big backlash about the Euros or other events doing it,' added Winton, who demonstrated his vaccination status when he attended the England-Scotland game at Wembley in Euro 2020, last Friday. ‘I think these sorts of things are practical measures to move us forward.’

    The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has just completed an extensive survey of fans’ attitudes to returning to stadiums next season.

    Initial analysis suggests that fans are comfortable about being inside the stadium, but are most concerned about travel to and from it, which corresponds to the government’s view.

    All courts at Wimbledon will operate at 50 per cent capacity for most of the tournament, which kicks off in less than two weeks (2019 tournament pictured) but full houses for the finals

    All courts at Wimbledon will operate at 50 per cent capacity for most of the tournament, which kicks off in less than two weeks (2019 tournament pictured) but full houses for the finals



  • ‘I think most fans would be realistic and they would need information about what is being asked and why?’ said Kat Law from the trust.

    The NHS App has been modified to allow covid vaccination status and test results to be displayed at pilot events

    The NHS App has been modified to allow covid vaccination status and test results to be displayed at pilot events

    ‘Communication is a massive thing. Engaging with supporter groups to get their support and confidence will be important.’

    The government has suggested that Covid passes may be required at large stadiums, since big crowds increase the risk of spread on public transport.

    ‘You could imagine a situation where we say that we think that outdoor venues of a particular size are likely to have people congregate in such numbers that [covid certification] would be appropriate, Mr Gove told the Public Administration select committee in May.

    ‘So, if you were to take a threshold… for example, most Premier League clubs... have stadia of above 20,000. I think the top eight to 10 teams in the Championship have a threshold of around that. That might be a judgement we would make.

    ‘And of course, we would apply that from St James’ Park to Brighton and Hove Albion.’

    For football clubs, covid passes are a necessary step if it brings supporters back in large numbers. Top flight sides alone are estimated to have lost £2 billion as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.But despite the trials of the NHS Covid Pass, there are still concerns among MPs, which the government will have to address if the scheme is to be rolled ore widely out later this summer.

    William Wragg MP, Chairman of the Public Administration committee, which took evidence on Covid passports, said: ‘We recognise the need to formulate an effective lockdown exit, but Covid passports are not the answer. We are entirely unconvinced by the case for their introduction.’

    Wragg said the concerns included discrimination against groups where vaccine take-up is lower and the rate of vaccination may render them redundant – and unnecessary cost - if herd immunity is achieved.

    Even if the NHS covid pass is in place, approval for stadium capacity rests with local local authorities, which include public health officials.

    COVID TEST FIRST PHASE RESULTS

    4 cases at World Snooker Championships, staged indoors at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre over 17 days

    0 cases at the Brit Awards

    2 cases at outdoor music festival at Sefton Park, Liverpool, among 5,900 crowd

    0 cases at FA Cup semi-final at Wembley between Leicester City and Southampton attended by 4,000 fans

    0 cases at Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, attended by 8,000

    0 cases at FA Cup final between Leicester City and Chelsea, attended by 21,000

    9 cases a nightclub in Liverpool over two days without masks, attended by 6,000 people

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