The Latest: Turkey set to allow some fans into soccer games

By The Associated Press 26 August 2020, 12:00AM

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:

___

The Turkish soccer federation says a limited number of spectators will be allowed into stadiums to watch games as of October as it relaxes coronavirus restrictions.

The federation says stadiums around the country would operate at a maximum of 30% capacity.

The spectators would have their temperatures taken before being admitted. They would be required to wear masks and keep to social distancing rules.

The decision comes despite an uptick in in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country. Daily infections have jumped to more than 1,000 since Aug. 4 to reach levels previously recorded in June.

___

The Minnesota Vikings will play at least their first two home games without fans in attendance.

With current Minnesota Department of Health guidelines specifying an indoor venue capacity of 250 people, officials from the Vikings, the state, U.S. Bank Stadium, the NFL and the city of Minneapolis were unable to establish a prudent way to open the gates to the public for now.

The Vikings will host Green Bay on Sept. 13 and Tennessee on Sept. 27 with the 66,000 seats empty. Over the ensuing five weeks, Minnesota plays at home only once, on Oct. 18 against Atlanta.

In a statement, the Vikings said: “We have sought to balance the opportunity to provide fan access with the responsibility to adhere to public health and medical guidance in order to maintain the health and safety of fans, players, staff members and the broader community. Ultimately, public health is our top priority.”

NFC North rivals Green Bay and Detroit have announced their first two home games will be played without fans. Chicago also will start the season without spectators but has not specified for how many games.

___

Tennessee will be selling tickets for approximately 25% of the seats at Neyland Stadium for this season.

The stadium has a capacity of 102,455, counting everybody in the building, which could mean around 25,000 fans

The Volunteers’ first home game is Oct. 3 against Missouri and university officials say restrictions could change during the season based on statewide virus data and recommendations from public health officials. Tennessee asked fans statewide to wear masks in public.

Athletic director Phillip Fulmer says he empathizes with the thousands of fans who won’t get to go to games in Neyland this fall. Fulmer says the circumstances are beyond the control of Tennessee officials and they will do their best to create the safest environment both inside and outside the stadium.

Current students and active donors to the Tennessee Fund with season tickets get top priority for tickets and season tickets will be offered based on annual amount given and the order to the Tennessee Fund.

The original prices for season tickets will not change with Tennessee set to host five Southeastern Conference opponents for the first time since 1959.

Students can start requesting tickets issued on a game-by-game basis Sept. 23.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By The Associated Press 26 August 2020, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>