It seems that the championship play off semi finals and final could be opened up for home and away fans. The premier league in conjunction with the government as a part of Project Restart are very close to rubber stamping the premier league plans starting on May 17th.

Although a number of PL clubs are against the restart due to the logistics, preferring a full return when it’s possible, not a part restart it’s possible now clubs could be given the option to participate.

Also under discussion this week by the EFL is an about turn on the play off arrangements. The first legs will be on May 17th, the projected restart date, and the second legs five days later. The main talking point will be fairness, there’s no way just the second legs will be open if the first legs are not. The clubs involved have all the ability to work within the guidelines as much as any PL club.

The BBC reports - Away fans could be allowed back at Premier League matches for the final two rounds of the season, following a change in stance from the government.

Only home fans have been permitted to attend top-flight games since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Up to 500 away fans could be allowed to watch games in May's final two matches.

The Premier League has also moved round 37 fixtures back to midweek, 18-19 May, so each club has one home game with fans before the end of the season. From 17 May, outdoor sports venues are due to be allowed up to 10,000 fans or 25% capacity, whichever figure is lower. An email from Premier League chief executive Richard Masters to clubs on Thursday revealed that the government is set to allow up to 5% of the capacity to be made up of away fans.

Therefore, clubs have been asked to respond by the close of play on Friday on whether they are in favour of welcoming up to 500 away fans and whether they think it would be possible, given they would need local authority approval. BBC Sport has been told some clubs are opposed to the move because of logistical complexities and wanting to give the maximum number of tickets to their fans, who have been unable to attend matches for several months.

So, it seems that it could well be the play offs will be included if the EFL push for a restart decision early next week. If the semi finals are not included it’s very possible the Wembley final will most certainly be open to fans.

What do you think ?
Should the EFL push for the semi finals to be included in the restart plans ?

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Badlands added 13:13 - May 1 EFL can say what it likes Westminster and the Senedd will have to be convinced.
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