Football fans across Portsmouth and surrounding towns sign 200,000-strong petition demanding MPs let them back into matches

Across the UK, almost 200,000 fans have backed the idea, forcing a debate in Parliament to take place on November 9.

A total of 651 people in Portsmouth's two constituencies have signed the petition so far, joining more than 1,200 fans across Havant, Gosport, and Fareham to demand spectators be let back inside Fratton Park and other stadiums.

Petition creator Ashley Greenwood said football is a ‘powerful tool’ that brings a range of economic and social benefits.

He added: ‘Football can be associated with passion, emotion, excitement and dedication across the community.

‘I ask for the support of this petition as I fear that smaller clubs in particular will go out of business leading to a devastating effect on people.’

It comes as Portsmouth FC continues to lose more than £700,000 a month due to restrictions on fan attendance, with Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan calling for more support for stricken clubs this week.

He said: ‘It is becoming increasingly untenable for Pompey to be expected to continue operating without further government support.

‘As I have said before, our football club’s success is our city’s success.’

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth chief Mark Catlin in blistering attack on government, Premier League and Greg Clarke as Football League clubs fight for their lives

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden admits there is a growing sense of frustration at the ban on live crowds at sporting events, but insists there can be no change until the spread of coronavirus is curbed.

Speaking at the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, Mr Dowden said he desperately wanted to have socially-distanced spectators in grounds from October 1.

He added: ‘But there is very clear evidence from the scientific community that at this stage of the disease, with rapidly rising infections, we should be imposing restrictions – which we are – not further easements.

‘We are doing things that are positively hateful, but the reason we are doing it is to secure public safety.’

Though the Conservative MP gave no timeline, he said the emergence of a vaccine, 'on day' testing, or further control of the virus could all help enable events with fans to return.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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