West Brom set to welcome back fans this season
Albion fans are likely to be able to attend what could be a crucial penultimate game of the season against West Ham, the Express & Star understands.
The government’s roadmap out of lockdown originally allowed for a limited number of supporters to attend sporting events from May 17.
That meant Albion’s final game of the season at Leeds would be played in front of supporters.
And because Wolves and Villa play their final matches of the campaign at home, they too would have been able to play in front of their own fans at Molineux and Villa Park.
But Premier League clubs were informed yesterday that fixtures will be moved to enable each top-flight side to host one home match before the 2020/21 campaign draws to a close.
Match week 36 will be moved from its scheduled date of May 11/12 to May 15/16 – the last round of games to go ahead behind closed doors.
Clubs playing at home in match week 37 can then invite fans back into their grounds on the new midweek dates of May 18/19, ahead of the season’s culmination on May 23.
Away fans cannot attend the matches, though, after some clubs raised health concerns with regards to coronavirus.
While the planned rule change allows Albion to play a match in front of their own supporters, it means Wolves will play in front of Everton fans when they take on the Toffees.
There will also be fans in the ground when Villa travel to take on Tottenham in their penultimate fixture.
Gates will be limited at either 10,000 supporters or 25 per cent of stadium capacity – whichever is lower.
The proposal is subject to the government giving the green light which is expected no later than May 10.
Albion are currently eight points from safety in the Premier League with just seven games remaining.
But back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Southampton have led to hope Sam Allardyce’s side could pull off a great escape.
