Portsmouth mull over September fan return in Fratton Park trial

As part of the government’s pilot scheme, clubs have the option to admit a small number of supporters into a match on a test basis.

This would be ahead of October 1 – the long-scheduled date for when supporters are expected to be allowed back into football.

Cambridge United will become the first Football League club to trial the scheme on Tuesday evening, when 1,000 followers will be hosted in the EFL Trophy against Fulham under-21s.

Mark Catlin admits Pompey are also considering volunteering before September’s end.

And that timeframe would make Wigan’s visit to Fratton Park on Saturday, September 26 the most likely to allow in fans.

Catlin told The News: ‘The trials are dictated by our governing bodies.

‘There is potentially an option to pilot one of the games before fans are allowed back officially at the start of October in relatively small numbers.

‘That’s something we are currently looking at – seeing if we can entertain it given the current guidelines.

‘Potentially we can do this before the end of September. We’re look at putting in a very, very reduced capacity – not even 25 per cent – as a trial.

‘We are currently exploring that with the authorities. We don’t want to push anything we don't feel would help our case moving forward by rushing it now.

‘We would rather get everything right and prepared because there are a lot of rules and regulations which are going to be attached to having fans back in stadiums at any level.

‘As I understand it, all clubs have this option to stage a test, but it’s going to be at reduced numbers and, to my knowledge, that actually hasn’t been confirmed as of yet.

‘If we feel September is just too soon for us then we won’t take part in that and go straight in during October.’

In addition to their Fulham under-21 fixture, Cambridge will also permit 2,500 home fans for the visit of Carlisle in League Two on Saturday.

Irrespective of whether Pompey follow suit, Catlin insists October 1 remains pencilled in for a proportion of supporters to return to Football League games.

In the Blues’ case, that could be the Fratton Park encounter with MK Dons on October 10.

He added: ‘I think the date of October 1 still stands, that’s the latest news and we are working towards it, but it’s a very fluid and flexible situation.

‘You can go to what they deem to be a safe country one day and the next day it’s not safe and there is a quarantine in place.

‘We are totally at the mercy of government and government body regulations.’

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