Football League losing hope for Portmouth and Salford fans being allowed into suspended EFL Trophy final

Football chiefs have been keen to bring the suspended 2020 final between the Blues and Salford out of cold storage when supporters are permitted to attend.

However, that best-case scenario is now regarded as extremely unlikely.

The News understands there is growing acknowledgement that the fixture will have to take place without the presence of fans.

The government’s resolute stance on the banning of crowds at Premier League and Football League levels during these times of coronavirus has seen hope diminish.

Despite the best intentions of the Football League – backed by both Pompey and Salford – the indications are they will not get their wish for the Wembley showpiece to host supporters.

Instead, a date for the 2020 final is expected to be fixed for the opening few months of 2021.

This will then be fulfilled – irrespective of whether supporters are by then allowed to be present.

Incidentally, the 2021 EFL Trophy final is scheduled to take place at Wembley on March 14, 2021.

Should fans not attend the final between Pompey and Salford, they will inevitably be entitled to a ticket refund.

The Blues had sold in excess of 51,000 seats for the occasion by mid-March – before lockdown intervened.

Of course, all parties are hoping that will not be necessary, with the Wembley match reintroduced in normal circumstances early next year following its mothballing.

However, with the country in the middle of a second wave of coronavirus, that no longer appears to be a realistic outcome.

And with the priority on completing the fixture, a decision on supporters’ involvement is nearing.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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