[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]F[/mkdf_dropcaps]ootball stadiums in England have returned to full capacity just in time for the Premier League season, causing envy amongst Australian’s as the AFL and NRL finals are likely to go ahead with no crowds this year.

The UK government announced further easing of restrictions and social distancing on July 19, allowing stadiums to operate at full capacity from that date.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said at a press conference at the time: “We will move away from legal restrictions and allow people to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus.

“From step four, we will remove all legal limits on the numbers meeting indoors and outdoors.

“We will allow all businesses to re-open, including nightclubs, we will lift the limit on named visitors to care homes and the number of people attending concerts, theatre, and sports events.”

This announcement came during the Premier League pre-season in July, as the League was set to begin in August.

After this announcement, the Premier League released the following official statement: “Fans have been hugely missed, so we welcome today’s announcement by the government and are looking forward to full stadiums in the 2021/22 season.”

English Football League CEO, Trevor Birch, responded in a statement saying: “Football has been planning for this outcome since the outset of the pandemic and having been forced to endure empty stadiums since March 2020, the message from the EFL clubs is that we are ready to re-open and welcome fans back in numbers.

“On behalf of the League and its membership, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you (NHS & medical experts) for playing such an important role in helping re-open our sport to a wider society,” Mr Birch said.