PL and EFL clubs relieved as Boris Johnson refuses to shut out fans for now

Boris Johnson has resisted bringing in new restrictions which would see reduced capacities in football stadiums.

English football has been fearful that the Government might follow Scotland and Wales by bringing in tough new measures which would shut fans out of grounds over Christmas.

Prime Minister Johnson has ruled out new Covid restrictions before Christmas and, while they may still be brought in further down the line, it will come as a relief for the Premier League and EFL.

Scotland will limit attendances to just 500 fans from Boxing Day for "up to three weeks" which include top flight derbies in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee at the New Year.

Wales announced sporting events will be behind closed doors from Boxing Day because of the spread of the Omicron variant.

That will affect Cardiff City - whose game with Coventry is already off because of a Covid outbreak - and Newport County will no longer face League Two leaders Forest Green.

There are clear worries for the Premier League and the EFL who will be desperate not to see a reduction or complete shut out.

Prem clubs are already expressing fears over what might lie ahead while EFL clubs rely heavily on big crowds over the festive period.

The Government has so far resisted further restrictions and sporting venues are hoping Covid passes may allow them to keep stadiums open even if Johnson does increase measures to combat Covid.

Prem clubs have been determined to carry on with their fixtures amid fears that if they do stop then it might see reductions imposed while the season is put on pause.

Interestingly, Tottenham 's 60,000 stadium was only 75 per cent full on Sunday even though they faced Liverpool with fans increasingly concerned about Omicron infections while they were also subject to new checks on the Covid passport.

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "From December 26 inclusive, for a period of up to three weeks, we intend to place limits on the size of live public events.

"This will of course make sports matches, including football, effectively spectator-free over this three-week period, a situation similar to that in Wales from Boxing Day."