Back to the Premier League Newsfeed

Fans return to football: Brighton welcome 2,524 socially distanced supporters for a friendly against Chelsea two weeks before the new Premier League season begins

Brighton has welcomed 2,524 socially distanced supporters for a friendly against Chelsea as crowds returned to the game two weeks before the new Premier League season begins.

Fans were made to keep a seat between them as they gathered at the Amex Stadium for Saturday's friendly, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

There were plenty of hand sanitation points on the way to the ground and face coverings were required - with many choosing to sport the Seagulls' blue and white colours - as fans queued to get in, but not when seated.

The pre-season game was part of a number of pilot events announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for a phased return of spectators following the ban on mass gatherings introduced in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.