English Premier LeagueOld Trafford Modified to Hold 23,500 Socially Distanced Fans
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Manchester United has modified Old Trafford to accommodate 23,500 socially distanced fans as they are “bemused” by the ongoing ban on fans at stadiums.

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Plans to re-open stadiums in the beginning of October were postponed by the government because of the increasing coronavirus positive cases. The situation left fans of all clubs uncertain when they will next be able to cheer on their teams from the stands.

No supporters have been allowed inside Old Trafford since United’s 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby in March.

Additionally, Collette Roche, the club’s chief operating officer, said serious plans have been put in place to ensure Old Trafford is as safe as possible for fans when they are allowed back.

He said, “we were really disappointed when the government decided not to allow fans back in the stadium in October because we’ve got everything in place to make sure we can do so safely”.

“As you have seen today, we’ve got all the COVID security measures and other processes ready to go. We spent around two months working with the government guidelines to develop the right processes and measures to make sure that we can have around 23,500 people in this stadium safely social distancing”.

While stressing that public health was the number one priority, Roche said it was unfair for football fans to be treated differently from other groups of people.

“It’s quite bemusing to understand why people can gather in other settings such as on an airplane or a restaurant or even in a cinema to watch football when we know we’ve got the plans and the process is ready to deliver a matchday here safely”.

“The government gave us guidelines and it’s those guidelines that we have followed”.