The FA: We can step up our efforts to get fans back into stadiums as soon as possible

The Football Association has issued the following statement:

“We welcome the Government’s positive update today which means we and our football partners can step up our efforts to get fans back into stadiums as soon as possible.

Supporters are the lifeblood of our national game, and that has been underlined by how much their absence has been felt at matches over the last month.

We pay tribute to everyone that has worked so hard to get matches on in these challenging times, including the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals to be played at a behind-closed-doors Wembley Stadium this weekend, but elite-level football without fans is simply not the same.

We will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities on how we can bring them back in a safe and secure manner, including any help we can provide to the proposed pilot events.

This work will go hand in hand with the imminent return of grassroots football, our planning for the resumption of men’s and women’s international fixtures and the return of women’s football with the Barclays FA WSL and Women’s FA Cup.”

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