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Premier League clubs face another year without playing at full capacity stadiums

Fans at Goodison Park, along with all other Premier League stadia, may not be allowed back in full numbers for another year.

That is the warning from one top expert who claims the coronavirus pandemic will make it “very difficult” to have stadiums full to capacity until a vaccine is in full use.

James Calder, chairman of the British government committee on the return of elite sports, says football will have to be very cautious despite the Premier League and EFL announcing they will both start next season on September 12.

The Mirror quote him as saying:

“Whilst we’ve got a virus around without a vaccine, I think it’s going be very, very difficult to do. I really can’t see that happening in the next year.

“If there’s a vaccine that comes out, that’s been proven to be effective or if the virus mutates and that isn’t as dangerous, then it may open (stadiums fully) but I can’t see it happening really until next year at the earliest.

“We’re probably looking at a maximum 25% full capacity, perhaps in some stadiums, it may be down to 17% and there’s a financial viability there as to whether it’s viable to open up the stadium.”