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Boris Johnson cancels plans for fans to return to sport this weekend

The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that fans will not be allowed to attend sport...



Boris Johnson cancels plans fo...
Racing

Boris Johnson cancels plans for fans to return to sport this weekend

The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that fans will not be allowed to attend sports events over the weekend.

The announcement comes after a spike in coronavirus cases in parts of the north of England, with some new lockdown restrictions introduced in some areas.

A number of different pilot sporting events were going to be trialed with some spectators present, including racegoers at Glorious Goodwood, where it was hoped 4,000 punters could attend.

At a news conference on Friday Johnson said that "pilots of larger crowds at sports venues will not take place."

He then went on to explain the decision,

"I said from May we would not hesitate to put on the brake s at the slightest sign that the numbers were going in the wrong direction."

This announcement will come as a disappointment to many, particularly Premier League fans, who have been targeting a possible return to stadiums in some capacity in October.

Meanwhile, a statement reacting to the news from Goodwood Racecourse said,

"We are very disappointed for those who were hoping to attend tomorrow's event and for all those who have worked so hard to make it possible for spectators to be present.

"We will engage with public health authorities and DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) over a rescheduled pilot at the earliest opportunity."

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