MX23RW : Tuesday, May 14 21:26:51| >> :120:15354:15354:

Delia Smith asks Boris Johnson to allow fans back into stadiums

A planned reintroduction of supporters to grounds from October 1 was scrapped amid concerns about a second wave of coronavirus infections.

Norwich's joint majority shareholder Delia Smith has asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to allow "a percentage" of fans back into stadiums in an open letter published on the club's official website.

A planned reintroduction of supporters to grounds from October 1 was scrapped amid concerns about a second wave of coronavirus infections.

Norwich's Carrow Road had hosted a pilot on September 19, with a crowd of 1,000 in attendance as the team drew 2-2 with Preston.

Smith's letter to the Prime Minister said: "Please, please can you make a decision to allow just a percentage of football supporters into the ground to watch games.

"Grown up logic tells us what even the scientists must agree with: temperature checks, with supporters two metres apart, hand sanitising, masks, and so much empty space, distancing and open air has to be perfectly safe, and what's more it's a far better option than six round a table watching a match inside."

Smith said what had happened at Carrow Road on September 19 had "worked like a dream."

She added: "Looking ahead to the possibility and consequences of smaller clubs ceasing to exist, we need to remind ourselves that football is one of the last bastions of what it means to be community in contemporary life.

"How many times do we hear the words 'stronger together'? It gives the young a sense of belonging, no need to join a gang. It also manages to transcend colour, racism, class and age.

"Clubs at the heart of communities are saving the government and the taxpayer some of the high costs of youth crime. Whilst the charitable Football Foundations working alongside the clubs make an enormous contribution to those in most need in the communities they serve. Again, saving the taxpayer.

"What we all need is good news, hope and what you could get is a whole stash of brownie points.

"England invented the beautiful game, which has become much more than that. An unsung gem that makes an enormous contribution to our society at no cost.

"Please Prime Minister, before the final whistle is blown, can we have our football back?"

The letter concluded with "PS: Let me know if ever you want tickets to a game."

ID:420290: cacheID:420290:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3440:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brentford manager Thomas Frank pictured on September 16, 2020
Read Next:
Brentford manager Thomas Frank bemoans "very random" Norwich goal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester463141189414897
3Leeds UnitedLeeds462791081433890
4Southampton462691187632487
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4621121370472375
6Norwich CityNorwich4621101579641573
7Hull City461913146860870
8Middlesbrough46209177162969
9Coventry CityCoventry4617131670591164
10Preston North EndPreston46189195667-1163
11Bristol City461711185351262
12Cardiff CityCardiff46195225370-1762
13Millwall461611194555-1059
14Swansea CitySwansea461512195965-657
15Watford461317166161056
16Sunderland46168225254-256
17Stoke CityStoke461511204960-1156
18Queens Park RangersQPR461511204758-1156
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn461411216074-1453
20Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds46158234468-2453
21Plymouth ArgylePlymouth461312215970-1151
RBirmingham CityBirmingham461311225065-1550
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield46918194877-2945
RRotherham UnitedRotherham46512293789-5227


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!