We have continued to liaise with Government regarding attendance of spectators at Emirates FA Cup fixtures in light of the recent Government announcements.
Following the latest discussions, Government has confirmed its position remains the same and the following will apply to all remaining matches in this season’s Qualifying competition, unless communicated otherwise:
• Where an elite club is playing another elite club, the match must be played behind closed doors (i.e. with no spectators permitted to be in attendance)
• Where an elite club is playing a non-elite club:
o Where the match is played at the elite club’s ground, the match must be played behind closed doors (i.e. with no spectators permitted to be in attendance)
o Where the match is played at the non-elite club’s ground, spectators of the home club only shall be permitted to attend the match in accordance with the latest applicable National League System Spectator Guidance.
Both clubs shall ensure that spectators of the visiting club are not in attendance at the match.
• Where a non-elite club is playing another non-elite club, spectators (of both the home and visiting clubs) shall be permitted to attend the match in accordance with the latest applicable National League System Spectator Guidance.
For clarity, clubs in Steps 1 & 2 of the FA National League System are considered to be “elite clubs” and clubs in Step 3 and below of the FA National League System are considered to be “non-elite clubs”.
The FA recognises the importance of having fans, including those of away clubs, at Emirates FA Cup fixtures and is fully committed to the safe return of fans to football grounds as soon as possible.