The first spectators could be back as soon as April with pilot events, including potentially the Carabao Cup final, as part of preparations for venues to open up to 10,000 from May 17.
Capacities are expected to increase further from June 21, with organisers of the threatened British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa increasingly attracted to staging it in the UK as a result of the announcement.
The Football Association will push for fans to be allowed at the FA Cup final despite it being scheduled two days before fans are able to return, on May 15, and for Wembley to be at a quarter capacity for the clash between England and Scotland on June 18.
The fourth and final step of the government’s recovery plan aims to lift all restrictions…