Last updated on .From the section FootballFans have not attended Premier League matches since MarchThe government is exploring the potential for fans to return to sports venues in some parts of England as early as next month. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is working on allowing fans into stadia in areas where rates of infections are deemed sufficiently low - possibly before Christmas. On Tuesday, the government said it had held "constructive" talks with football leaders on the return of fans, along with issues such as governance reforms, financial sustainability, and greater diversity. In a devastating blow to cash-strapped sports bodies, plans for a partial return of spectators from 1 October were scrapped amid a rise in coronavirus cases. Almost 200,000 people have signed petitions calling for fans to be able to return.

Source: BBC November 17, 2020 16:41 UTC