Leeds United fans officially given green light for Elland Road return against West Bromwich Albion

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed officially on Monday afternoon that sporting venues across England will be able to welcome back spectators from May 17 at a reduced capacity amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UK Government will proceed with its plan to take the third step in its coronavirus recovery road map, which was first set out on February 22.

“We’ll unlock the turnstiles of our sports stadia subject to capacity limits,” Johnson said in his opening speech as he detailed the further easing of lockdown in England.

The Whites host West Bromwich Albion on May 23 in LS11 for the final outing of the top flight campaign.

There will be 9,500 in attendance - 25 percent of Elland Road's full capacity - with supporters entering a ballot through the club for tickets to attend.

It will be the first time fans have been allowed through the turnstiles since the club's hosting of Huddersfield Town in the Championship in March 2020.

The Premier League pushed its penultimate round of matches back to May 18 and 19 so that every club would be able to play one game in front of supporters before the end of the season on May 23.

The league confirmed last week that the matches will be open to home supporters only.

Leeds travel to face Southampton at St Mary's on May 18 and will face a home crowd on the south coast before their hosting of the Baggies.

For smaller outdoor venues capacities will be capped at 4,000 or 50 per cent, whichever is the lowest. The indoor venue cap will be 1,000 or 50 per cent, whichever is the lowest.

The decision to ease restrictions comes as the country continues to benefit from an accelerating vaccination programme and a fall in deaths and hospitalisations related to Covid-19.