Sport
the times | Saturday August 1 2020 2GS 15
The return of fans to sports events has
suffered a severe blow after the govern-
ment decided not to allow spectators to
attend pilot events after fears of an
increase in Covid-19 infections.
Racegoers who had booked picnics at
Glorious Goodwood were left dis-
appointed, as were spectators heading
to the World Snooker Championship in
Sheffield and two matches in cricket’s
Bob Willis Trophy — Surrey v Middle-
sex at the Oval and Warwickshire v
Northamptonshire at Edgbaston.
Boris Johnson said no pilot events
would be held until August 15 at
the earliest. The prime minister’s
announcement has caused concern
among some sports over whether the
October 1 date for the partial return of
fans to football and rugby stadiums will
be delayed.
The Premier League has offered
friendly matches before the new
season, which starts on September 12,
as test events, and it is also expected
that Women’s Super League games
from September 6 could be involved.
Even if the pilot events go well,
grounds will be an average of 25 per
cent full — with a low of 17 per cent and
a maximum of 33 per cent, depending
on stadium design — from October, say
government safety advisers, with
restrictions likely all next season.
Adam Waterworth, managing
director of sport at the Goodwood
Estate, said: “This is a big kick as there
was a bit of light there, having thought
we’d actually done it. I’m gutted to be
honest. The racing will still be fantastic
tomorrow — thank God we are still
racing behind closed doors, that is the
important thing.”
Goodwood had not charged for
tickets for the 5,000 people who had
been due to attend the final day —
annual members had been invited and
were given the opportunity to buy
picnic hampers, the cost of which has
been refunded. Goodwood Racecourse
is set to lose a six-figure sum.
Asked whether the racecourse could
pursue compensation, Waterworth
added: “I think there is a conversation
to be had with DCMS [the Department
for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]
about the costs incurred in the pilot and
now not being able to deliver it, but I
think that is one for next week.”
The England and Wales Cricket
Board said in a statement: “We under-
stand this is disappointing for support-
ers who were looking forward toment advice allows. We are pleased the
Bob Willis Trophy will still begin this
weekend behind closed doors, and fans
will be able to watch their teams via on-
line streams.”
Spectators were already at Sheffield’s
Crucible Theatre for day one of the
World Snooker Championship when
the announcement regarding crowds
was made by the prime minister.
Barry Hearn, the World Snooker
Tour chairman, hopes fans might be
allowed back to the Crucible in time for
the final on August 15 and 16. Hearn
said: “I am devastated, gutted and upset
personally for my whole team who put
in so much work to get to a position
where a crowd was allowed in today.
“And I am very disappointed for the
people who have bought a ticket andplaced their trust in us. Everyone here
today was so happy and felt comfort-
able with the protocols in place and I
allowed myself to think it was going
rather well... I didn’t see this coming, it
was a googly from the government. But
we always have plan A and plan B. Plan
B is behind closed doors.
“There is an outside chance we might
have a crowd for the final — but that is
a dream. We are £2.5 million down in
revenue on this event, probably a bit
more. It is a lot of money, but some-
times you can’t just take. We [will] pay
what we promised for the prize money.”
Snooker fan John Airey, from Pen-
rith, who has been coming to the Cruci-
ble since 1981, said: “I had tickets for 17
sessions this year — plus hotels booked.
“It is the sporting highlight of the
year for me so although you can have
the refund or transfer to next year it is
very disappointing not to be able to
attend. It will be the first time in nearly
40 years that I have not been there.”
Oliver Dowden, the culture
secretary, tweeted: “Very disappointing
news that with [the] rise in infection
rates we cannot press ahead with sports
pilots with fans this weekend. I know
the huge efforts cricket, snooker and
horseracing have made to welcome
fans back.
“We’ll keep working together on
their safe return ASAP.”Fans attended the first day of the
World Snooker Championship at the
Crucible yesterday, above, and a
Surrey friendly at the Kia Oval, left, but
are banned from further test eventsReturn of fans thrown into doubt
Martyn Ziegler, Elizabeth Ammon,
Rob Wright
JORDAN MANSFIELD/SUSSEX CCC/GETTY IMAGESToday
10am David Gilbert (Eng) v Kurt Maflin
(Eng); Stuart Bingham (Eng) v Ashley
Carty (Eng)
2.30pm John Higgins (Sco) v Matthew
Stevens (Wal); Ding Junhui (China) v
Mark King (Eng)
7pm Kyren Wilson (Eng) W/O Anthony
Hamilton (Eng); Mark Williams (Wal) v
Alan McManus (Sco)Tomorrow
10am Yan Bingtao (China) v Elliott
Slessor (Eng); Neil Robertson (Aus) v
Liang Wenbo (China)
2.30pm John Higgins (Sco) v Matthew
Stevens (Wal); Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng)
v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Tha)
7pm David Gilbert (Eng) v Kurt Maflin
(Eng); Neil Robertson (Aus) v Liang
Wenbo (China)Crucible order of play
attending pilot events this weekend.
However, we understand the reasons
why the government has made this
decision, and remain ready to work
with them to ensure supporters can
safely return to stadiums when govern-