Sport can begin to plan for the return of fans in the coming months under the ‘road map’ for easing lockdown restrictions, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday.
Here the PA news agency takes a look at how the news will affect the major sports in England.
Football
Cricket
Rugby Union
The RFU welcomes the announcement by the Prime Minister that grassroots team sports including community rugby can return from 29 March.
We will work with DCMS on Covid protocols for the community game, including the format of rugby that will be permitted in return to play.
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 22, 2021
Clubs could welcome fans for the final rounds of the Premiership season, which concludes on June 12, although it is much too late for the PRO14 campaign. The British & Irish Lions are due to host Japan at Murrayfield on June 26 – a warm-up for their tour of South Africa, although the status of that trip remains in doubt. Meanwhile, the RFU has welcomed the return of the game at grassroots level from the end of the March.
Rugby League
The Rugby Football League welcomes today’s announcement from the Government… pic.twitter.com/IPPx0dccfS
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) February 22, 2021
Rugby League’s summer season should mean fans are on hand for much of the campaign, with seasons starting at various levels between March and May. Stadiums should be full for the highlights of the Challenge Cup final at Wembley in July and the Super League Grand Finals at Old Trafford in October.
Tennis
Golf
England Golf and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf have released the following statements in response to today’s (22 Feb) update from government:https://t.co/oXATuYyLs7 pic.twitter.com/T7Np5l6JrN
— England Golf (@EnglandGolf) February 22, 2021
The easing of restrictions will come too soon for the British Masters in mid-May, but fans can look forward to attending the Open Championship at Royal St George in July. The main news for most, of course, is when they might hit the course themselves, but Monday’s announcement was not what England Golf was hoping for. “England Golf is extremely disappointed that the scientific evidence presented to government detailing how the sport can be played in a Covid-secure manner has not resulted in a return to play date earlier than 29 March,” a statement read.
