Sunderland fans back at the Stadium of Light? Everything we know so far on tickets, capacity and plans ahead of key Government decision

When the second national lockdown ends on December 2, it will be replaced by a toughened three-tier system of Covid-19 restrictions.

4,000 fans will be able to attend EFL and Premier League games in tier one areas, which reduces to 2,000 in tier two areas.

However, no fans will be allowed in tier three areas.

All eyes are now on the Government ahead of Thursday’s expected announcement over which tier of Covid-19 restrictions the North East will be placed into.

Prior to the second national lockdown, the bulk of the region was placed into tier two as a result of the rising infection rate but the Government has already warned more places are likely to be moved into the highest tier this time round.

As a result, there are significant question marks as to whether Sunderland fans are likely to feel the benefit of the announcement in the near future.

Fans have been unable to see their team live since March and supporters will be hoping for some positive news soon.

We examine the plans Sunderland have been working on, the club’s stance, EFL view on the return of supporters to stadiums and what would be different.

How prepared are Sunderland and if fans are allowed into the Stadium of Light, how will it be decided?

Comprehensive planning has been taking place for months and it is understood the club would be in a position to communicate detailed plans quickly should a decision be taken that fans are allowed back in.

Like everyone else, the Black Cats are having to wait for a decision on the region's tier status before assessing whether they can bring any fans to the Stadium of Light, capacity 48,000.

If Sunderland is placed into tier three then any plans would have to remain on ice for now.

The significantly reduced numbers will also force a potential change in approach with regards to ticket allocation, with the number of season tickets sold for the current campaign a five-figure total.

Earlier this year, it was announced that sales had been paused at 12,000 as that was the figure officials were expecting the capacity of the Stadium of Light to be capped at back in October when it was first thought fans would be allowed to return.

Nationally, it was then decided fans would not be allowed back into grounds at that stage.

Elsewhere, some lower league clubs have expressed concerns in recent days that only being allowed a small number of fans would actually cost them money, with increased matchday costs.

What has Sunderland said previously about the return of fans?

Sunderland have been vocal supporters of the campaign to bring supporters back into grounds.

The club’s CEO Jim Rodwell said earlier this season that the club had prepared plans for the return of 11,000-12,000 supporters, many of whom had registered their matchday bubbles in anticipation.

So, if either 2,000 or 4,000 fans were allowed in then Sunderland have already done much of the logistical work to ensure it would be safe, with the strict social distancing measures in place.

The tier system will determine if fans are allowed in, though.

“It’s soul destroying for those people who worked so hard to put us in the position to potentially bring fans back," said Rodwell in October.

"We, as football, are convinced that we can safely have fans in the stadium.

“We had pilot events that went incredibly well, we were ready and able before the rug was pulled from underneath us. I think the hardest thing to accept about that was the lack of rationale.

“You see things that are going on, full theatres, and we’re just getting told for no real, apparent reason that we can’t have fans. That’s soul destroying.”

What has the EFL said about the return of fans?

EFL chairman Rick Parry this week welcomed the announcement from the Government.

There has even been a suggestion that some games scheduled for next Tuesday - Sunderland host Burton Albion that night - could be pushed back a day in order to allow fans in when the national lockdown ends December 2.

However, this would again depend on which tiers regions are placed into and Parry also warned the Government announcement had taken clubs by surprise and many still had a lot of work to do.

"This is a welcome start," Parry told BBC Radio Four's Today programme.

"Fans have been frustrated, they're missing their football, so it's something to celebrate for fans, not just for the clubs.

"But it's not just the money, it's a very welcome return to atmosphere

"We have to build upon it because what we're really looking forward to is getting fans back in rather more substantial numbers.”

"Some clubs will still have safety officers on furlough," he added.

"There is a lot of work to do quite quickly and it's really important that we get this right.

"We've got to make sure that the clubs and the fans all behave responsibly."

If fans are allowed back in, what would be different?

Fans would likely be asked to wear a face covering when entering and leaving the stadium and in enclosed areas, further clarity is awaited on whether singing and chanting would be allowed.

Fans could also expect to see hand-sanitiser dispensers around stadiums, queueing systems at toilets and one-way systems on gangways and exit points.

It is likely clubs will limit attendance to home fans, with season-ticket holders taking priority.

The Government is yet to give any guidance about travelling between tiers to watch a game, but going from a high-risk area to a low-risk one would appear to run counter to the objectives of the tiered approach.

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