64 1GM Wednesday December 2 2020 | the times
SportFootball
Broadcasters will continue to provide
artificial crowd noise for football and
rugby union matches despite the
return of fans.
Sky and BT Sport say they will use a
mixture of noise from inside the
grounds “augmented” with recorded
crowd sounds for games taking place at
stadiums in Tier 2 areas which, under
the government’s new coronavirus
restrictions, can let in up to 2,000 fans.
The broadcasters will review the
system after this weekend’s matches,
which include the derby between
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in the
Premier League.
The artificial crowd noise is likely to
remain until significant numbers of
fans, about 10,000, are allowed back
into stadiums. Sky already has an
option for viewers to watch games
without artificial noise.
Meanwhile, new government rules
have opened the way for test events to
take place at Twickenham and other
stadiums which would allow more fans
than the maximum permitted by
the tier restrictions.
The exemption from the 2,000 limit
in Tier 2 areas and 4,000 in Tier 1 is
made clear in government guidance.
The new rules on stadium capacities in
the different tiers state: “Any govern-
ment-endorsed test events will be
subject to different arrangements and
capacity calculations.”
It is understood that the idea is to give
some flexibility for a small number of
test events to take place early in the new
year if the coronavirus infection rate
drops. This would be similar to the plan
that was put together for September,
but then scrapped, which would have
allowed 10,000 fans into Wembley for
the non-League finals day.
The most likely venue for the first big
test event in January looks set to be
Twickenham, with the RFU keen on
exploring its options to allow as many
supporters as possible to be admitted
for the Six Nations, which starts in
early February.
Whitehall insiders say the exceptions
will not be a loophole for clubs to
exploit to get more fans in but will be
part of an organised plan for a limited
number of pilot events.
The new guidance also confirms that
football fans will be able to drink
alcohol without ordering a substantial
meal — the criteria set out in most
settings for Tier 2 areas — but will have
to be seated in concourses, auditoriums
or hospitality areas. As is usual at
football grounds, supporters will not be
able to consume alcohol in their seats in
the stands. They will also not be
allowed to drink alcohol while stand-
ing. Instead, venues will be allowed to
provide temporary seats in concourses.
“Sports stadia are exempt from only
serving alcohol with a substantial meal
to spectators who intend to sit in the
auditorium to consume their drink,”
the rules state. “This should be limited
only to customers with tickets who
intend to return to their seat.”
The guidelines also suggest that fans
should be warned of the increased risk
of Covid transmission posed by singing
and shouting. They are asked to avoid it
at indoor sporting events.
The rules say: “Singing, shouting and
physical activity increases the risk of
transmission through small dropletsFans will have to keep their distance, as in this test event at the Amex in August
TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERSIt will be darts — but it may not be as we
know it. Wearing fancy dress has
become practically obligatory for fans
attending the World Darts Champion-
ship but that is one of the rituals that
will have to change if plans are
approved for fans to be allowed into the
tournament, which starts this month.
The Smurfs, Where’s Wally and Bully
from the game show Bullseye have been
spotted among the crowd at Alexandra
Palace in recent years but a Christmas
jumper is about as outlandish as it can
get this time around, as the tournament
will have a more toned down, family
feel to help meet Covid-19 regulations.
However, the beer should still be
flowing at the north London venue if
organisers are given permission from
the government and local authority,
Haringey council, to hold the event
with up to 1,000 fans. It will be a third of
the usual audience of 3,000 because of
the social distancing required.
Fans would normally sit in big groups
on lengthy tables, make their own signs,
bellow out their own tunes and drink
half a million pints of beer in a fortnight.
This time there would be a 10pm
curfew on serving alcohol, to meet
government regulations, and play is
unlikely to extend beyond 10.30pm.
Permission has been sought for
spectators to sit in groups of a
maximum of four people from the same
household or support bubble, with
tables spaced out, which is likely to
mean that more families attend.
There will be 28 sessions of play at the
tournament, which begins on
December 15.
The 96 players from 29 countries will
learn who they could meet at the draw
tomorrow morning. The winner will
earn £500,000 in prize money.Fake TV noise stays - and
more fans for test events
and aerosols. If singing is expected to
take place, spectators should be
reminded of the risks.
“The more people involved, the
higher the risk of transmission. Based
on public health advice for indoor per-
formances, even where face coverings
are mandated, crowds at indoor events
should not participate in any activity
that can create aerosols, including
singing, shouting and chanting.”Martyn Ziegler Chief Sports Reporter
FOOTBALL
Championship
Luton Town v Norwich City
Pilot event with 1,000 fans, although
2,000 allowed
Wycombe Wanderers v Stoke City
A pilot with 1,000 fansLeague One
Charlton Athletic v MK Dons
Shrewsbury Town v AccringtonLeague Two
Cambridge United v Mansfield
Carlisle United v Salford CityAnd where they aren’t...
AFC Wimbledon v Peterborough
Plough Lane yet to receive its safety
certificate to host fans.RACING
Haydock Park, Kempton Park,
Lingfield Park and Ludlow
Today’s meetings will have fans, but
none will reach the allowed 2,000.Where fans return today
Fancy dress to be banned if
darts allows crowds back in
Darts
Gary Jacob