Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed plans for fans to return to watch live sport events in England from 1 October will not go ahead.
The plan to allow fans into stadium had been under review following recently upsurge in Coronavirus cases.
The UK’s Covid-19 alert level has moved to 4, meaning transmission is “high or rising exponentially”.
“We have to acknowledge the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen large sporting events,” said the prime minister.
In an address to the Commons on Tuesday, he announced new restrictions for the country and those included the halting of the phased return of fans.
“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,” he added.
“The chancellor and the culture secretary are working urgently on what we can do now to support them.”
The prime minister also said current restrictions are likely to remain in place for the next six months.
