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Isthmian League to decide on restart date after first review of the Tier system

09:33, 14 December 2020

updated: 09:34, 14 December 2020

Isthmian League clubs will have to wait until Wednesday to find out when they can restart matches.

The league has issued a statement, alongside their Northern Premier and Southern counterparts, which says no changes will be made until after the first government review of the tier system in England.

Folkestone Invicta and Cray Wanderers in action earlier this season - they should find out when they can return to matches later this week. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Folkestone Invicta and Cray Wanderers in action earlier this season - they should find out when they can return to matches later this week. Picture: Barry Goodwin

That review is due to be made on Wednesday - with the league's stance not changed by the surprise news from the FA at the end of last week that supporters can attend non-elite football matches in tier 3.

The FA received approval on Thursday from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) for clubs in steps 3-6 of the National League System (which covers the Isthmian Premier Division to the Southern Counties East Division 1) to accommodate home supporters up to 15% of a stadium capacity.

An FA statement said: “It is extremely important that spectators remain in their household or social bubble in groups of six, do not mix with any other spectator groups, or travel between tiers to attend fixtures, as enforceable by law.

“If breaches of spectator limits or social distancing are reported, clubs and leagues may face returning to fixtures being held behind closed doors.”

In response, the Isthmian League said on Monday that: "The Trident Leagues (the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues) welcome the decision to allow some fans into grounds situated in Tier 3 areas.

"However, in light of the decision of all 224 clubs only last week to vote overwhelmingly in favour of suspending the current season the Leagues have decided to wait to see the implications of the government’s review of the Tier system in England – due on Wednesday - before making any further announcements."

Earlier this month the Isthmian League announced that they would be delaying their restart plans.

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