When we look back at football in 2020/21 over the years to come, there will be no classics, no games to remember — because without fans, matches just don't have the same impact.
Of course, these changes were necessary to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, and, if current trends hold, it seems that fans will soon be allowed back in stadiums again.
Historically speaking, there’s only ever been one correct answer to the question of a dream away day in the National Women’s Soccer League. As well as producing the sort of football that’s landed two NWSL championships, the Portland Thorns boast the division’s best atmosphere with an average attendance (we have to go back to 2019 to look at such things) of over 20,000 at beautiful Providence Park.
But I believe Portland has been usurped for three reasons: views, horse racing and bourbon.
LONDON - Crowds of up to 10,000 could be allowed back into English soccer stadiums from mid-May under a plan outlined by the British government on Monday to ease COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in England.
Under the third stage of the four-stage "roadmap”, stadiums will — if all conditions are met — from May 17 be allowed to hold up to 50% of their capacity, or 4,000 people, whichever is lower. A special provision will be made for large outdoor, seated venues, so that they can open their doors to up to 10,000 people or 25% of the capacity, whichever is lower.
BERLIN - The German Football League (DFL) is hoping a health concept it supported will help convince authorities of a gradual and limited return of spectators in outdoor and indoor sports and cultural events.
The German Football League was part of 40 major sports and cultural bodies, including the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra, the German Basketball League and the German Opera among others, that supported the concept developed by a group of 20 scientists and experts.
Brazilians Leandro and Adaílton fired FC Tokyo to a 2-1 victory over Kashiwa Reysol in the final of the Levain Cup on Monday in front of more than 24,000 fans at Tokyo's National Stadium.
The past 24 hours have been somber and harrowing for Ligue 1 club FC Lorient after one of the team's groundskeepers was killed in a freak accident on Sunday night.
Following Lorient's 3-0 home defeat to Rennes at the Stade du Moustoir, the grounds crew came out to do their post-game duties. One of those jobs includes tending to the field with a grow light. The contraption emulates sunlight, warms the field and keeps the grass healthy.
Sunday’s Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Wolves featured the return of supporters to Anfield for the first time since March. The ground has a normal capacity of nearly 54,000, but 2,000 lucky fans got to be in attendance today in accordance with COVID-19 security measures.
While 500 of those fans were sat in the Main Stand, the Kop End housed 1,500 spectators, and it was that section that belted out Liverpool’s anthem of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as the team took to the pitch.
Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario has been declared a National Historic Monument.
The stadium was also recognized in 1983 by FIFA as the only Historical Monument of World Football.
It was built in 1930 to host the first FIFA World Cup and to mark the 100th anniversary of Uruguayan independence.
Not only did Uruguay win the 1930 World Cup there, they have won each of the 4 Copa Américas hosted at the stadium.
The stadium will continue to be preserved as a center for soccer culture in Uruguay.