Limited number of fans to be allowed in football games in new season
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The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has announced that a limited number of spectators will be allowed in stadiums during football games starting from October.
According to the statement, the number of fans will be limited to 30 percent of stadiums' capacity.
Fans will have to wear masks and their body temperature will be measured before entering the stadium. Physical distancing rules will also be applied, the federation noted.
The new football season will start on September 11 and end on May 16, 2021.
Turkey's top football league was suspended on March 19, eight days after the country confirmed its first coronavirus case. The league resumed on June 12 with empty stadiums and a number of measures to prevent infection.
Here are some of the measures currently in effect:
* The disinfection of all rooms will be provided, before and after the games.
* Hand sanitizers will be placed on the benches and edge of the field 20 meters apart.
* People who sit in the VIP stands will sit diagonally, leaving three seats free, while those in the rear row seats will sit at a crosswise position relative to the front row, leaving one row empty.
* Team and referee vehicles will enter and leave the stadiums at least 15 minutes apart.
* Six ball boys will serve in the matches, including two on the touchlines and one behind the goal post. Ball boys between 20 and 30 years old will wear masks and gloves.
* At least 15 balls will be used in the matches and the balls will be kept in a closed area after disinfection by the home side officials on match day.
* No one will touch the balls until the fourth referee receives them.
* The people on the bench will have to sit leaving at least two seats empty.
* The players will ensure that the distance between each other and the referee is at least 1.5 meters. There will be no handshakes and team photos will not be taken among the footballers.
* The fourth referee of the game will determine by which areas the footballers will warm up in and how many people can be in the warm-up areas at the same time.
(TP/VK)
