Clubs in Kent playing non-elite football have been given clearance to allow fans back in despite being in a tier three area.

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.

Fixtures in the Isthmian League and Southern Counties East are both suspended and the news will be a boost to those clubs fearing a restart without paying fans in attendance.

The ruling also covers tiers 3-6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid and the men’s FA Vase competition. Fans can attend FA Trophy matches if the fixture is between two ‘non-elite’ clubs (clubs at Steps 3-4 of the NLS) in a Tier 3 area. All fixtures in the FA Trophy that involve an ‘elite club’ (teams playing in the National League divisions) must remain behind closed doors.

A review of the tier system is expected next week.

Non-elite clubs are asked to liaise with their respective Local Authority for agreement on capacity limits.

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.”

Clubs in tier three areas are unable to open their bars but can sell takeaway food and drink. Regional leagues and outdoor grassroots football can continue to accommodate socially-distanced spectators but must follow the government’s ‘rule of six’ and guidance on restrictions in certain tiers.

The Southern Counties East Football League have suspended games until Boxing Day, at the earliest. They have a board meeting on December 17 and will update clubs shortly after that time about the details of a restart.

Their decision to suspend fixtures was largely down to the fact they had teams and players from tier two areas while the whole of Kent was placed in tier three.

The Isthmian League had no firm date for restarting but with a limited number of fans now permitted they are likely to announce a restart date soon.

Clubs in the National League and National League South have been playing without supporters and that will continue under the current guidelines. Elite clubs in tier three areas are not allowed fans in attendance but up to 2,000 can attend in tier two areas and up to 4,000 in tier one.

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