How embarrassment of crowds at arts venues forced the Government to allow sports fans to return

[ASFN Admin]

The mood music was changing in Whitehall as football-starved Arsenal fans burst into song in the unlikely setting of the London Palladium. "Only one Arsene Wenger" rang out across the stalls on Oct 12 as their adored former manager appeared on stage to promote his book. Before long, the chant was inadvertently reverberating a mile or so down the road to Oliver Dowden's office. A viral video was the last thing the Culture Secretary needed after the Football Supporters' Association had already been attacking him over the Government's "zero logic" approach in allowing up to 5,000 inside an arts venue but none at all at outdoor stadiums. Infection rates had been hurtling towards a second national lockdown as the Royal Albert Hall and the O2 were also given the green lights to announce a roster for the Christmas period.

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