The Carabao Cup final at Wembley next month could be played in front of 8,000 fans, talkSPORT understands.
The EFL are hopeful of being given the green light by the government to use their showpiece clash at the national stadium – between Manchester City and Tottenham on April 25 – as a pilot test event ahead of the large-scale return of spectators to venues.
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According to talkSPORT sources, one hurdle still to overcome is attendees having to take Rapid Lateral Flow coronavirus tests upon entry and departure from the stadium.
If they get the go-ahead, the tickets are expected to be split between Man City and Spurs fans, local residents and front-line NHS workers.
EFL chiefs also plan to dedicate the match on April 25 to the NHS, with both teams wearing ‘Thank You NHS’ badges on their shirts.
The Carabao Cup final was originally scheduled to take place in February but the EFL pushed it back in the hope of fans being able to attend.
EFL chairman Rick Parry made contact with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport after learning the FA Cup semi-finals, due to be played a week earlier, are being considered for test event status.
Asked recently about fans being able to attend the final, Parry said: “Clearly we are hopeful. We didn’t enter into this season thinking we were going to be without fans.
“Of course, the Carabao Cup isn’t a dress rehearsal for us, it’s the pinnacle of the season and a really important event.”
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The FA Cup final on May 15 and the World Snooker Championships at The Crucible in Sheffield, beginning on April 17, have already been confirmed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as pilot test events.
When announcing its four-part plan to lift the coronavirus lockdown in February, the government declared up to 10,000 people could be allowed in stadiums for sporting events if the pilots are successful, but not before May 17.
The EFL are now feeling confident that the Carabao Cup final will be added to the list of pilot test events, with a crowd of 8,000 set to be allowed in.
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