FA Cup semi-final at Wembley to be part of pilot events for crowd return

[Leisure]

One of next month's FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley will be among the pilot events to trial the return of large crowds to UK venues.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC sports editor Dan Roan that a game on either 17 or 18 April will be part of the trial programme.

The FA Cup final and the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield are also on the schedule.

"We want to get as many people back as safely as possible," said Dowden.

The semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City will be shown live on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer on Saturday, 17 April, with Leicester v Southampton on the following day.

Dowden also said more pilot events would be announced later this week after confirmation from the government that the next stage of the planned easing of restrictions on 12 April is on track.

The following stage, scheduled for 17 May, would allow stadia to open with a 25% capacity limit, up to a maximum of 10,000 spectators.

The current plan is then for all restrictions on social contact to be lifted on 21 June.

"We want to make it as simple and convenient as possible for people. That's why we are conducting these pilots," Dowden said.

"The plan is to look at factors like one-way systems, ventilation within a stadium and how you interact in terms of getting to and from the venue."

BBC Sport understands there will be up to 4,000 spectators at one of the Wembley semi-finals and the following weekend the Carabao Cup final could test an attendance of double that.

The possibility of having 20,000 fans at the FA Cup final on 15 May is being explored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Football Association. Those proposals would need to be agreed with Brent Council.

"The purpose of this is not so much the overall number, it is how they interact with each other," Dowden added.

"So it's the social distancing that they have from each other. It's the behavioural factors.

"We will be testing them before and after to look at spread and look how they behave in the stadium.

"We're not just chucking everyone into the stadiums, it is being done in a very controlled way and the purpose is to get the rules set can so it can be as safe as possible from the 21 June."

[Devils_Advocate]

Give me Crystal Palace away on the TV over an FA Cup Semi Final trip to Wembley any day of the week. Picking up 3 pts at Palace creates the special memories we'll all be telling our grandkids about in years to come.

I mean who remembers the Semi Final games like Spurs, Liverpool, Preston and Newcastle

[tiger76]

I was just about to post this news myself, baby steps admittedly, but the signs are promising at least

It makes sense that Wembley is being used as a test venue, the sheer size should mean it's relatively easy to implement social distancing if required.

Hope all goes well with these pilot events, and we may yet see fans at PL grounds this season, albeit in limited numbers.

[ClaretLoup]

Give me Crystal Palace away on the TV over an FA Cup Semi Final trip to Wembley any day of the week. Picking up 3 pts at Palace creates the special memories we'll all be telling our grandkids about in years to come.

I mean who remembers the Semi Final games like Spurs, Liverpool, Preston and Newcastle

Spring is here and the weather is nice, haven't you got stuff to do in the garden?

[Bosscat]

Spring is here and the weather is nice, haven't you got stuff to do in the garden?

awe come on DA is on his wind up mission as usual ... don't bite (I learned quickly to just laugh at his posts instead)

[ClaretLoup]

OK boss

[Devils_Advocate]

Spring is here and the weather is nice, haven't you got stuff to do in the garden?

Already been up the driving range and for a walk ready for a nice game of golf tomorrow. I could have come home to sit in the garden and dream of a trip to Wembley but alas im just left thinking wistfully about what might have been

[ClaretLoup]

Do you think you will lose at golf tomorrow as well?

[Devils_Advocate]

No idea but it is neither here nor there as catching up with some mates ive not seen in ages and just playing in what should be a lovely sunny day is what its all about

[Targetman]

Already been up the driving range and for a walk ready for a nice game of golf tomorrow. I could have come home to sit in the garden and dream of a trip to Wembley but alas im just left thinking wistfully about what might have been

A trip to Wembley with who, Burnley or Leeds?

[Grumps]

No idea but it is neither here nor there as catching up with some mates ive not seen in ages and just playing in what should be a lovely sunny day is what its all about

Iam sure they Carnt wait to be in your company again...... Lockdown has its benefits.

[Devils_Advocate]

A trip to Wembley with who, Burnley or Leeds?

Im not fussy!!

[Devils_Advocate]

Iam sure they Carnt wait to be in your company again...... Lockdown has its benefits.

Nasty

[dougcollins]

Dowden forget to mention it wouldn't be fans of the clubs at the game.

[Silkyskills1]

Talking of FA Cup semi finals, 47 years ago today since I last attended one.

[durhamclaret]

Talking of FA Cup semi finals, 47 years ago today since I last attended one.

Same here silky, can’t believe it’s 47 years wow

[Silkyskills1]

Will I ever attend another one, I ask myself?

[claretburns]

Will I ever attend another one, I ask myself?

Sure, next season:

3rd Round: Burnley 16-0 Padiham
4th Round: Colne 0-13 Burnley
5th Round: Accrington 1-5 Burnley
6th Round: Preston 0-2 Burnley
Semi Final: Burnley 3-1 Blackburn
Final: Burnley 1-0 Liverpool

We'll call the run to the final M65 Punishment!

[dsr]

Sure, next season:

3rd Round: Burnley 16-0 Padiham
4th Round: Colne 0-13 Burnley
5th Round: Accrington 1-5 Burnley
6th Round: Preston 0-2 Burnley
Semi Final: Burnley 3-1 Blackburn
Final: Burnley 1-0 Liverpool

We'll call the run to the final M65 Punishment!

I can't believe you let Blackburn score a goal. Miserable pessimist that you are.

Who did Colne beat in the 3rd round? Man United, hopefully? And the 13-0 was because they hadn't finished celebrating?

[Spijed]

The Southampton v Leicester game will have up to 4000 spectators, but only from around the local area.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... n-april-18