Stadiums will be allowed to re-open from December 2 with 4,000 fans allowed in Tier 1 areas

Stadiums are due to be allowed to re-open from December 2 once the second coronavirus lockdown is eased.

Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that the Department for Culture Media and Sport has submitted proposals to the Cabinet Office for the return of fans to grounds in December.

But now 4,000 spectators – or 50 per cent of a stadium’s capacity for outdoor events, depending on which is lower – are set to be allowed in Tier 1 areas as well as 2,000 spectators or 50 per cent capacity for indoor events also due to be allowed.

Stadiums will be allowed to re-open from December 2 once the second  lockdown is eased

Boris Johnson is set to make an announcement on the details for Tier 1 and 2 areas on Monday

Areas in Tier 2 will also be allowed to welcome 2,000 spectators or 50 per cent of their stadium capacity outdoors, again depending on whichever figure is lower, and 1,000 fans or 50 per cent of capacity indoors.

Areas that will go straight into Tier 3 however will still have to adhere to a ban of attending sporting events for all fans. 

Boris Johnson is set to make an announcement later on Monday detailing the long-awaited return of spectators to live sporting events. 

Areas in Tier 2 will also be allowed to welcome up to 2,000 spectators and Tier 1 4,000 fans

Elite sports have still continued behind closed doors during the four-week lockdown, while grassroots and amateur sport have been stopped since 5 November.

Across all four divisions of professional football in England though, clubs insist they will be ready to reopen the turnstiles, as soon as they have a green light from government.

‘I would love to see our supporters [in Turf Moor] for a test event in December,’ said Neil Hart chief executive at Burnley, whose club hosts Wolves on December 19 and Sheffield United on the 28th of that month.

‘Our fans are desperate to come back and get behind Sean Dyche and the team. Supporters are telling us how much they miss it. There is a huge mental wellbeing [issue] – football is a huge part of our lives.’

Rugby union has also suffered as a resut

Rugby union had also been hard hit by the absence of fans but received the largest amount from the £300m government bail-out announced last week, but some of England’s fixtures may be allowed to bring fans back in.

The news is timely however given that Macclesfield Town were wound up more than two months ago – strengthening fears other clubs may follow suit in the coming months.

The 146-year-old National League outfit, relegated from League Two last season, were forced into liquidation at a High Court hearing on Wednesday over debts totalling £500,000 and became the first club to fold during the pandemic.

It is understood at least ten EFL clubs will need an emergency loan to pay staff this month, with another ten thought to be teetering on the brink in December.

Initiatives to help bring supporters back safely include a new contactless payment system in the ground, as well as temperature checks on the way in, while Burnley are investigating the viability coronavirus tests for supporters.