Last night the BBC highlighted the eventual return of fans to football stadiums in England with the results of a BBC Sport poll on the daily ‘Sportsday’ programme, which suggests fans are divided over whether they should be allowed to return before a Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out.
The poll also shows:
- About half of football fans who regularly attended matches before the pandemic said they would return to watch their team regularly before a vaccine was available, while 12% said they would never go back without a vaccine.
- 28% said they cared more about their team now than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Younger fans (18-34) were more likely to say they cared more for their club since the coronavirus outbreak.
- Fans are split over who should bear the financial responsibility of ensuring clubs’ survival.
Level Playing field Chair, Tony Taylor, had his say on the return of fans:
“For some people, it’s the only opportunity they get to leave their house and get into the community, so it’s a really important thing for fans mental health.
Football clubs have been very progressive in terms of making contact with their disabled fans, but in saying that, you cannot replace being sat in a stadium and cheering your own team on.”
Southampton’s Disabled Supporters Association (Saints DSA) Chair Andy Mather also contributed to the programme, with his own view on the initial return of fans.
Watch the full segment below: