Football fans face signing up to new code of behaviour before re-entering stadiums

New restrictions could include a ban on chanting from the stands

Football fans are expected to be allowed back into stadiums next season as lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted, despite what the science may tell us. Football crowds would be capped at a limited capacity with new measures in place to try to ensure the safety of everyone at the ground. Fans may even have to sign up to a new code of conduct before they are allowed to attend matches, which would include a ban on singing from the stands, according to reports. Similar measures were put in place when pubs re-opened, stipulating that live football had to be played on low volume to discourage shouting, to minimise the spread of coronavirus. The return of fans at Premier League matches is expected to be trialled in September before a bigger roll-out in October. While it makes sense to discourage chanting, given the circumstances, it does feel like undoing all the benefits of allowing fans back in the stadium. Fans attend matches to be part of the atmosphere, to feel part of something bigger, to encourage their team. A cynic might think allowing fans to return on the condition they are silent, neutral observers is a decision motivated solely by financial factors. In fact, while fans will be desperate to get back inside the stadiums to begin with, you'd imagine that with the artificial crowd noise being added to TV broadcasts, the atmosphere might actually be better watching from home if the stadiums are still basically silent. Other measures that will be introduced include socially distanced seating, staggered arrival times and hand sanitiser stations set up around the grounds. At the moment, this won't be implemented in the northwest of England, which is still under stricter lockdown rules.