Will Leeds United fans be allowed back to Elland Road? Government to announce return of 4,000 fans at football matches

Initial reports shared by the BBC indicate that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce the changes for football fans as part of his presentation to the House of Commons and later, in a speech to the nation.

As part of the plans, changes to restrictions on crowds at football matches are set to be changed.

The new football rules will allow up to 4,000 fans to attend matches in areas which are not deemed to be high risk.

Spectators are set to return to sports venues next month as coronavirus restrictions are eased in areas with lower infection rates.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that outdoor and indoor venues in tier 1 and 2 areas would be allowed to admit spectators on a limited basis, but did not confirm what the capacity limits or percentages would be.

It has been reported that 4,000 spectators or 50 per cent capacity limits – whichever is lowest – would be in place in tier 1, dropping to 2,000 or 50 per cent for indoor venues.

In tier 2, it has been reported it would be 2,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors, or 50 per cent capacity. In Tier 3, no fans would be allowed.

What does it mean for Leeds United?

Unfortunately, Leeds as a city is likely to be classed as high risk. Under the revised three tier system for England, Leeds is likely to be placed into Tier 3, the strictest tier of restrictions.

Leeds was due to be placed into the previous Tier 3 in November until the national lockdown was announced which over-rode the local system.

As of Friday, Leeds' infection rate was 439 per 100,000 people, which is slightly lower than it was when the Tier 3 change was announced for Leeds, but it remains high.

Confirmation of which areas will be placed into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 of the new system will come on Thursday, November 26.

Until then it is safer to assume that Leeds will be placed into Tier 3 or Tier 2, meaning Leeds United fans won't be going back to Elland Road just yet as part of the plans being announced today.

Leeds fans haven't enjoyed access to live games since March and the club had hopes of a phased return, via a lottery scheme for season ticket holders before the Premier League season reached Christmas. But a rise in cases and a tightening of restrictions saw the government's plans to start returning fans to stadiums in October shelved.

Now Angus Kinnear believes the news that two experimental vaccines have proved at least 90 per cent effective is cause for optimism.

"The positive news this week regarding the efficacy of two of the Covid vaccine front-runners gives us renewed confidence in a phased return of crowds taking place later this season," he said, in his programme notes for Sunday's game against Arsenal at Elland Road.

"The government have made a commitment that when the current set of lockdown measures are relaxed, sport will be at the front of the queue of the sectors that are addressed."

How will the new tier system work?

It is understood that Johnson will tell MPs that non-essential shops can open in all three tiers after the current restrictions expire on December 2.

Pubs and restaurants will face harsher new measures, with businesses in the new Tier 3 allowed only to offer takeaways, while those in Tier 2 must serve a “substantial meal” with any drinks, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Patrons will also have to stay within their household groups, but it is understood that pubs and restaurants will be allowed to stay open later than the 10pm curfew which previously existed.

While last orders must be called at 10pm, people will get an extra hour to finish their food and drinks, with opening hours to be extended until 11pm.

The paper added cinemas will be allowed to reopen in England for places in Tier 1 and 2.

It will be announced on Thursday (26 November) which tier each area will enter.

The Government is optimistic that restrictions can be gradually reduced in the run-up to spring, providing vaccines are approved by regulators, allowing a plan for the rollout to begin next month before a wider programme in the new year.