Chesterfield suspend selling match tickets as government 'pauses' plans for return of supporters

Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Gove, has confirmed that the proposals would be “paused” following a rise in coronavirus infections across the country.

If this is the case, then the National League season is unlikely to get underway on October 3 because clubs at this level can’t afford to start without fans.

It has been reported that the National League has already told clubs that the season will not start without supporters in stadiums.

Tickets for Chesterfield’s first two home games had been due to go on sale on Tuesday but have now been suspended following the announcement.

On the return of fans, Mr Gove said: "We're looking at how we can, for the moment, pause that programme, but what we do want to do is to make sure that, as and when circumstances allow, get more people back.

"The virus is less likely to spread outdoors than indoors but again it's in the nature of major sporting events that there's a lot of mingling."

In a statement Chesterfield said: “With clarification on the matter yet to be made by the football authorities, the decision has been taken to suspend ticket sales until further notice.”

The Spireites have been given the green light to have 3,500 fans for home games when the season does start.

But they have opted against selling season tickets and will instead be selling tickets on a match-by-match basis.