WC Snooker is one of the authorities’ pilot projects gradually allowing spectators back at sporting events following closures during the pandemic.

In the first half, 33 percent of the audience capacity was allowed. That means there were 213 spectators when reigning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan kicked off his first round clash against Mark Joyce.

– It’s important that we succeed in this, as it will be indicative for other indoor sports, as well as for cinema and theatre, snooker tour boss Barry Hearn told the BBC.

– Data from here will be very important to get us to a normal world made of milk and honey.

Everyone allowed in must show a negative coronavirus test result, sign a consent form and log in to an infection tracking app. They sat in a distance and were asked to wear masks.

Stairs up

Players were asked not to take photos with spectators or sign autographs, as they usually do during the tournament. Norway’s Kurt Maflin will be in action in the first round on Wednesday and Thursday.

This was intended to increase public access during the tournament for each round, with a full house (980 spectators) for the final starting on 2 May.

– I’ve been a promoter for 45 years, but after everything we’ve been through, I would rate it as one of our greatest moments if we could see a full house at the final, and with 500 million TV viewers around the world, said Hearn.

Football is next

Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final between Leicester and Southampton at Wembley will be another pilot project, with 4,000 spectators, many of whom will be health workers.

There have been no spectators at English football matches since December.

Spectators are also planned for the League Cup final at Wembley next weekend, the FA Cup final at the same venue on May 15, and the final two rounds of the Premier League, all with limited attendance.

(© NTB)