Sunderland and Newcastle United fans may not be allowed back into stadiums for SIX months as Premier League release statement

Max Power playing inside an empty Stadium of Light.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a range of restrictions in the House of Commons on Tuesday lunchtime, including those related to mass gatherings.

“We have to acknowledge that the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events,” he said.

He said the measures being announced on Tuesday would remain in place for “perhaps six months”.

“So we will not be able to do this from October 1 and I recognise the implications for our sports clubs which are the life and soul of our communities, and my right honourable friends the Chancellor and the Culture Secretary are working urgently on what we can do now to support them.”

Spectators had been set to return from the start of next month on a socially distanced basis, with capacities set to be limited to between 25 and 35 per cent.

The news is a devastating blow to sports clubs across the country, many of whom rely heavily on match-day revenue for survival, and there have already been calls from sports governing bodies for the government to provide emergency funding.

The English Football League has estimated its clubs will lose a collective £200million without fans in stadiums for the whole of the 2020-21 season.

The Premier League, meanwhile, warned of the “devastating impact” the continued absence of supporters was beginning to have on its clubs and communities.

“Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them,” the league said in a statement.

“Last season, Premier League clubs suffered £700m in losses and at present, our national game is losing more than £100m per month. This is starting to have a devastating impact on clubs and their communities.

“We are confident that Premier League clubs, using innovative ways to get supporters safely back into grounds, will enable revenues to return to all levels of the game, as well as maintain solidarity arrangements, current tax contributions and financial support for local and national economies.”