Government minister provides update on Stadium of Light return as Sunderland fans grow concerned

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden arrives for a cabinet meeting at the FCO on September 22, 2020 in London.

Originally, plans were in place that would have seen fans return to grounds from October 1, but a rise in Covid-19 cases have curtailed the proposal.

That decision had had a major impact on EFL and non-league outfits, with financial uncertainty now rife and fans of clubs rightly concerend.

However, speaking on BBC Breakfast, Culture secretary Dowden said the government cannot commit to allowing fans back into games any time soon.

He said: “That was the plan and that’s something we ideally wanted to happen and had been working towards.

“We’d gone through this phased reopening of football.

“The next stage was due to be on October 1 to enjoy fans back in socially-distanced circumstances.

“We worked very closely with the clubs to mitigate the risks surrounding that.

“Ultimately, though, against this backdrop of rapidly rising infections, I think people will appreciate now is not the time to do that, to add to the risk of infection spreading by making further easements.”

Dowden says the government are still looking at ways for fans to return safely, it will be a case of getting the rate of Covid-19 infections back under control before this can happen.

He said: “There are risks associated with that and, at the time, we were making no easements at all from October 1.

“Indeed, we were looking to impose further restrictions.

Dowden says the government are continuing to look at ways for fans to return safely, but coronavirus rates will have to come back under control before this can happen.

He said: “There are risks associated with that and, at the time, we were making no easements at all from October 1.

“Indeed, we were looking to impose further restrictions.

“We’re not sitting on our laurels.

“For example, I’ve set up the Science, Technology and Innovation Group, chaired by David Ross, who is looking at further mitigations to ensure we can do this safely.

“At this moment, against a backdrop of rapidly rising infections - remember, it’s not just in the stadium but the journey to and from - we didn’t feel now was the time to do that.”