The football club Hull City have pulled out of a pilot scheme that could have seen the return of live audiences at sporting events after the council declared it would not be safe.

The proposed ‘return of fans’ pilot match between Hull City and Crew Alexandra was cancelled after public health directors from Hull City Council raised concerns over rising Covid-19 rates in the city.

In a joint statement, Julia Weldon, director of Public Health at Hull City Council and Sam Henderson, head of Stadium Operations at Stadium Management Company said: ‘In order for the proposed “return of fans” pilot match to go ahead at the Hull City vs Crewe Alexandra game at the KCOM Stadium this Saturday, it was necessary to meet 10 public event assessment criteria, established by the Association of Directors of Public Health.

‘The first of these states that there can be no significant increase in the area’s coronavirus infection rate ahead of an event.

‘Unfortunately, the rate in Hull currently stands at 15.3 infections per 100,000 people, up from 4.2 per 100,000 people last week. Consequently, on the grounds of public health and public safety, this pilot cannot go ahead and the game will have to be played without fans in attendance.’

Hull City is the third football club to pull out of the pilot scheme which started with 10.

Image: Mick Atkins / Shutterstock.com.