Lewes have this evening confirmed that their FA Women’s Championship fixture against Coventry United at The Dripping Pan on Sunday will revert to being played behind-closed-doors.
Season ticket holders plus up to 250 single ticket fans were set to attend the fixture which was to act as another pilot event for the return of supporters to stadiums but this plan has been changed due to the updated Covid-19 restrictions.
It was hoped that fans could begin to return to professional football from early next month, however, further pilot events along with those October plans have been put on hold as a result of potential long term increased Covid-19 restrictions implemented by the UK Government this evening. There is now therefore no timescale for a return of fans leaving some clubs in limbo.
The Rookettes confirmed the change to behind-closed-doors for the Coventry United fixture via their official club Twitter account. Those fans who have purchased tickets since they went on-sale yesterday will be contacted by the club in the coming days.
BREAKING NEWS: Lewes v Coventry Utd this Sunday now has to be Behind Closed Doors due to new COVID regulations.
⚽️Ticket buyers will be contacted ASAP.
📺We will be offering PPV live streaming with commentary – details to be posted tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/439ci8HQ56— Lewes FC Women (@LewesFCWomen) September 22, 2020
Lewes have been working pro-actively throughout the summer, taking into account the potential for matches being played behind-closed-doors. The club are understood to have considered online streaming of matches with the potential of generating some revenue and they have revealed that they are planning a pay-per-view live offering for the Coventry United game which will include full match commentary. Details of that event are set to be publicised by the club tomorrow.
Simon Parker’s side kicked-off their 2020/2021 FA Women’s Championship campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Durham nine days’ ago.