Bring Back The Fans: Millwall and Brentford to screen matches inside their own stadiums this weekend
Millwall and Brentford plan to step up the fight to get fans back into stadiums by screening matches inside their own grounds on Saturday.
Millwall play Barnsley at The Den and, with pressure mounting on the Government to lift a ban on supporters attending games, the club have arranged for around 80 fans to watch the match on TV screens in hospitality areas.
Brentford have also planned a socially-distanced event for fans to watch their away game against Stoke in a lounge at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Clubs have been warned that the use of hospitality areas at sports grounds would be an “organised event” outside of hospitality guidance.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: “Private dining and banqueting should not be happening outside of a designated restaurant or pub setting.”
But Millwall and Brentford are confident the screenings will be held in a safe and “Covid-secure” environment, and the fact there will be fans inside stadiums while matches are taking place will prove clubs can safely welcome back a limited number of supporters.
The events, which will also raise crucial funds for clubs who have been hit hard by the pandemic, must comply with Government guidance in relation to hospitality businesses.
Millwall fans will be blocked from viewing the action on the pitch, while supporters will have their own table and the events will be strictly table service only.
A spokesperson for Millwall, who have backed the Standard’s Bring Back The Fans campaign, said: “This initiative is designed to get fans back into hospitality areas inside our ground, albeit in small numbers, in an enjoyable but safe and Covid-secure environment.
“It’s incredibly important for us as a club that supporters are engaged in what is happening out on the pitch while they can’t attend matches in a more regular fashion, and such schemes are also imperative from a financial point of view at a time of much instability and uncertainty.
“It is a positive step in the right direction for football clubs - community assets - who have been left to fend for themselves throughout this crisis.”
Read more
West Ham boss Moyes wants Government answers over fan lockout
