[Sport] Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says fans not allowed at sports pilot events as planned

[_Klay_]

 

Fans will not be allowed to attend the pilot sports events scheduled for this weekend in England after a spike in coronavirus cases, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.Spectators were due to watch the first two days of two county cricket matches, while 205 fans were at the start of the World Snooker Championship on Friday.It was also hoped to allow 4,000 racegoers at Goodwood on Saturday.The new restrictions on fans will be enforced until at least 15 August.The announcement comes after general restrictions were reintroduced for people in parts of northern England."Pilots of larger crowds at sports venues will not take place," Johnson said at a news conference on Friday."I said from May we would not hesitate to put on the brakes at the slightest sign that the numbers were going in the wrong direction."Johnson had said earlier this month that spectators could be able to return to stadiums in England from October.

Premier League looking at 'clinical passports' to help get fans back into stadiums

Beers, big screens and sanitiser - 1,000 fans return to cricket at Oval pilot

Coronavirus: PM puts lockdown easing on hold in EnglandThe planned pilots - and reactionFans were already at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield when the prime minister spoke on Friday, with announcer Rob Walker shouting "we are back" as play started, before adding: "Our socially distanced crowd are poised to roar once more."World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn was shown smiling, clapping and fist-pumping, as spectators - some wearing masks - cheered on the first players Judd Trump and Tom Ford.Just hours earlier, Hearn had told BBC of his "pride" and "relief" at getting fans back at events.However, while those with tickets for Friday's further sessions were allowed to stay, there will now be no spectators permitted at the Crucible Theatre from Saturday. Fans with tickets will be given a refund, or be allowed to use them next yearAfter the government decision, Hearn told BBC Sport he was "gutted" and "disappointed" to not have an atmosphere, but added: "The show must go on."There is a chance - I'm forever the optimist - that maybe a return for the final [on 16 August] is the earliest possible opportunity."Congratulations to those guys who went today because they will be able to talk about this for the rest of their lives - the ultimate golden ticket."I've never known a circumstance change in a couple of hours, but that is symbolic of what is happening in the world at the moment."We don't go off into a corner or go into sulks or tears, we get the job done."