Premier League Adjusts Schedule to Allow Fans in the Stands

The continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom will allow for up to 10,000 supporters in attendance for sporting events starting on May 17th. In light of this, the Premier League has announced that they will be rescheduling all of the matches in Match Round 37 to the 18th and 19th of May.

The penultimate matches had been scheduled to take place the previous weekend, but the rescheduling means the final two rounds of matches will all be played in front of fans, giving each team a chance to play in front of their own supporters before the season ends.

Additionally, PL chief executive Richard Masters has proposed that clubs allow up to 5% of the available tickets to be allocated to away fans. The proposal would require the approval of the clubs and local authorities.

If approved, this would allow up to 270 Reds to travel to Turf Moor for Liverpool’s match against Burnley on May 18th or 19th. It would be the first time Liverpool fans have been permitted at a match away from Anfield since March 3, 2020.

This proposal would also permit 500 away fans at Anfield when Liverpool face Crystal Palace in their final match of the year on May 23.

The atmosphere created by having supporters, both home and away, in the stands has been sorely missed for the last 14 months. Football is just not the same when played in huge, empty stadiums. There’s still a long way to go before we see sold-out crowds singing and cheering for 90 minutes, but knowing we’re so close to hearing actual fans singing instead of recorded audio tracks is reason for hope and celebration.