As many as 8,000 spectators will be allowed to attend the League Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham later this month after the match was chosen as a test event for the return of people to stadiums and venues in the United Kingdom.
The League Cup final is part of the UK government's Events Research Programme, which plans to issue identification showing whether people are vaccinated, have antibodies or have tested negative for the coronavirus.
The government is to announce on Monday that the system will be tested at events from mid-April including the League Cup final, an FA Cup semi-final and the final, all set to take place at Wembley Stadium in London.
According to the English Football League (EFL), which runs the League Cup, the chosen test events will be used "to collect evidence and collate best practice for managing and mitigating transmission risk. The evidence will then be shared across the event economy so that venues can prepare to accommodate fuller crowds and audiences."
In a statement in response to the return of supporters to Wembley Stadium to watch the League Cup final on April 25, Manchester City said: "Manchester City welcomes the news that a limited number of fans will be permitted to attend the Carabao Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley following the match’s approval as an official test event.
"The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has given the green light for 8,000 spectators to attend as part of the UK Government’s Events Research Programme. A proportion of these tickets will be made available to both finalists, which means City fans will be able to get behind their side at Wembley on Sunday 25 April."
In addition to Manchester City and Tottenham fans, a portion of League Cup final tickets will be allocated to local residents and workers from the National Health Service (NHS). The EFL said in a statement that ticket information will be released at a later date.
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Man City beat Aston Villa to retain League Cup
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Manchester City's Rodri celebrates after scoring his team's second goal in the League Cup final against Aston Villa at Wembley in March. City will now try and add the Fa Cup and the Champions League to their haul. Reuters -
Rodri celebrates scoring Manchester City's second goal. City beat Villa 2-1 to win the League Cup title on March 1. Reuters -
Manchester City midfielder Rodri celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP -
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden takes on Aston Villa full-back Matt Targett during the League Cup final. Reuters -
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling rides a challenge from Aston Villa's Bjorn Engels. Reuters -
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling is shown a yellow card by referee Lee Mason. Reuters -
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne comes on as a substitute to replace Ilkay Gundogan. Reuters -
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling fouls Aston Villa's Frederic Guilbert. Reuters -
An Aston Villa fan holds a tin foil trophy up prior to the League Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City. Getty Images -
Manchester City midfielder Rodri climbs to win a header from Aston Villa striker Mbwana Samatta. AFP -
Mbwana Samatta of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his sides first goal. Getty Images -
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings jumps to defend a corner. AFP -
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal. AP Photo -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gives directions to his players. AP Photo
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"The Carabao Cup is a prized asset of the EFL, a great competition for clubs to win and always a fantastic occasion so we are absolutely delighted to see supporters back for the 2021 final, in what will hopefully be another important milestone along the way to a full return of fans," EFL chairman Rick Parry said.
"Football has lots of expertise in crowd management so we welcome the opportunity to support the Government in its Events Research Programme and will also take great pride in hosting NHS staff at the final to whom we owe so much for their momentous efforts throughout the pandemic."
Prior to the League Cup final, the FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton on April 18 will also be used as a test event to welcome back fans to Wembley, where 4,000 local residents will be allowed to attend. For the FA Cup final, on May 15, the aim is 21,000 spectators.
"We are delighted to be hosting three test events at Wembley," Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said. "This is an important first step towards getting fans back, with the end goal of full stadia - hopefully by the end of the men's Euros.
"We would like to thank all authorities for their support throughout this process."
