ENGLISH football's governing bodies have stepped up calls to allow fans back into grounds.

An open letter to supporters published on behalf of the chief executives of the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and the FA and the director of the women's professional game called for clarity from the government.

Clubs were preparing to let a limited number of fans in to games from the start of this month, but these plans were shelved due to a national rise in coronavirus cases.

A petition to allow fans to watch matches at all levels has since been set up and is nearing 150,000 signatures.

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The open letter pointed to the success of pilot events staged last month, as well as the news that indoor cultural events can be staged with social distancing in place.

It read: “With the EFL, Premier League, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship already staging 11 successful test events recently, we have demonstrated that we can deliver matches safely.

"The sooner we can return, the sooner we can reunite communities and support local jobs, livelihoods, regional businesses and also the national economy.

“We will continue to urge Government to allow us to return fans safely to stadiums.

"It is positive progress that major arts and music venues have been told they can run socially-distanced events indoors.

"And now football should be allowed to do the same – in highly regulated and stewarded outdoor environments.”

Oxford United tweeted their support, posting: "Together we will get fans safely back into grounds."

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The letter was signed on behalf of Richard Masters, David Baldwin and Mark Bullingham and Kelly Simmons - chiefs of the Premier League, EFL and FA respectively and women’s professional game respectively.

They highlighted the work which had already taken place to “make our grounds as safe as, if not safer than, any other public activity currently allowed”.

Football has representatives within the government’s Sports Technology and Innovation Group, as well as the ‘Moonshot’ mass-testing project to enable large gatherings to take place while maintaining control of the virus.

The open letter continued: “In light of the postponement of test events we will intensify our efforts to pioneer new approaches – working with epidemiologists, scientists and medical experts in areas such as public health, clinical processes and occupational hygiene.

“This will make sure stadiums are Covid-safe by considering best practice screening and hygiene methods to ensure that fans and the general public will be safe and drive the Government’s sporting plans to move faster.

“Stadium environments can be modified and carefully managed. Measures could include screening spectators before they enter the ground, installing temperature checks, requiring masks to be worn, one-way systems and providing a code of conduct for all those attending on a matchday.

“This will all be bolstered by deep-cleaning practices to help further reduce the risk of virus transmission.”

The Vanarama National League received an offer of financial aid from the government to help them start the season, while talks continue over a support package for the EFL.

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A letter sent last week to culture secretary Oliver Dowden and co-signed by 17 people, including two former FA Chairmen, says teams need to be compensated for the loss of matchday ticket sales as it results from policies "put in place by the government in response to a public health emergency".

Clubs maintain they want “to be proactive”, working to look at measures both inside and on the approach to grounds which “will allay any concerns as to fans’ safety”, with providing extra parking facilities also being considered.

The letter said: “We are determined to identify a path forward with government.

"We need clarity for our clubs and for you as supporters as to what the roadmap for change in this area looks like.

“We all know why caution is needed, and we ask government for consistency in their policy so sport is treated as fairly as other activities currently allowed to welcome spectators.

“So, we will continue to urge the relevant authorities to let us, together, use innovative ways to bring fans safely back into football grounds, starting with a return of the test event programme.

“If we do so, then the benefits will be felt not just by fans but throughout society and the economy.”