FSF slam decision to let fans inside stadiums to watch games on TV but not sit in the stands

The Football Supporters’ Federation has slammed the ‘absurdity’ of fans being allowed into stadiums to watch their club’s games on TV – but not sit in the stands to see the live action.

Norwich, Millwall and Hull are among the clubs who will on Saturday have spectators attending screenings of their home fixtures from hospitality areas inside their grounds.

In the last week, Bristol City and Middlesbrough have also televised home matches from suites at their stadiums, with curtains drawn to block fans from any view of the pitch.

Bristol City and Middlesbrough have televised home matches from suites at their stadiums

‘This clubhouse phenomenon illustrates the absurdity of it all,’ FSF chair Malcolm Clarke told Sportsmail. ‘It is totally illogical and bizarre.

‘Football clubs have done a great deal of work with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to make sure grounds are compliant with the relevant health requirements.

‘Fans cannot understand how you can watch the game indoors in a corporate facility with a pint or a meal, but the moment you go the other side of the curtain it is suddenly unsafe, even though you are then outside? It makes no sense and shows the rules are illogical and inconsistent.’

West Ham supporters will be able to watch the game with Man City half a mile from the ground

The match will be shown at the Vue cinema in Westfield Stratford just minutes from the ground

In the Premier League, West Ham’s game against Manchester City today will be screened in a cinema just a short distance away from the empty London Stadium.

Hammers boss David Moyes added: ‘People going watch a game in a cinema, close to here, why can we not be sitting outside in the open air doing it? It’s not right.’

The Government shelved plans for fans to return to games at the beginning of this month because of a rise in coronavirus cases.