Hull fans denied entry to KCOM Stadum for Crewe game as Portsmouth weigh up Wigan trial
As Pompey weigh up whether to trial the return of supporters to Fratton Park for their game with Wigan next week, another of the EFL’s fans’ pilot events has been cancelled.
That’s after a decision was made to return Hull’s League One match against Crewe at the KCOM Stadium back behind closed doors on public health grounds.
On Wednesday the league confirmed 10 matches, where up to 1,000 spectators would be allowed access into stadiums, would be permitted.
It does not include the Blues’ trip to Rochdale, with the host club not submitting an application.
However, Pompey are looking at the pilot scheme as they prepare to host Wigan at PO4 on Saturday, September 26.
A decision will be made in due course.
In the meantime, though, the 10 games earmarked for the return of spectators at a reduced capacity this weekend now stands at seven.
Hull were refused permission to go ahead with the pilot, even though they intended to admit only 600 supporters to the game.
A statement from the club read: ‘Unfortunately, due to the rising infection rate in Hull over the last two weeks, we have been unable to receive approval from Hull City Council Public Health.
‘Naturally, whilst we are extremely disappointed that we will not be able to welcome supporters into the KCOM Stadium this Saturday, we will continue to work closely with all of the relevant bodies in a bid to welcome supporters back to the KCOM Stadium as soon as possible.’
The director of public health at Hull City Council said the local infection rate stands at 15.3 per 100,000 people, up from 4.2 per 100,000 last week.
Championship side Luton withdrew from the pilot scheme on Wednesday, stating they did not have sufficient time to make the necessary ticketing arrangements.
Meanwhile, League Two club Morecambe pulled out later the same day because they had not yet received the approval of the local safety advisory group.
EFL chairman Rick Parry stressed the importance of the pilot events, with a decision on whether to admit spectators to sports events more widely from October 1 under review because of the nationwide rise in cases.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that clubs were ‘haemorrhaging around £25m a month’ due to lost match-day revenue and that the cost across the season without fans would be £200m, which he said was unsustainable.
At present, League One games between Blackpool and Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic and Doncaster Rovers, and Shrewsbury’s home game with Northampton will allow up to 1,000 fans through the turnstiles.
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