Snooker fans WILL be allowed to attend Crucible final this weekend as Boris Johnson gives green light to pilot events
FANS will be allowed into the final of the Betfred World Snooker Championship this weekend.
SunSport understands the 2020 world champion will raise the trophy in front of an audience of up to 300 people on Sunday at the Crucible despite it being staged behind-closed-doors for the past two weeks.
Snooker punters will be expected to observe strict social-distancing rules, have their temperature checked upon arrival and wear masks in the foyer.
The bars and food kiosks inside the Sheffield venue will not be open.
The arena will be deep cleaned and security staff need to be brought back in.
All players, media and staff have been tested twice for Covid-19.
Tickets will go on general sale on Friday morning for the lucky ones who want to watch the crowning of the first lockdown world champion.
SECOND TIME LUCKY?
The Government had originally planned to use the world champs as one of its test pilot sports events for the return of fans during the global Covid-19 pandemic.
There were 512 tickets sold for the three sessions on the opening day of the tournament on Friday July 31.
However, just TWO HOURS into the first session that decision was reversed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson following a spike in nationwide Covid-19 cases.
Pilot events at Glorious Goodwood and county cricket at The Oval and Edgbaston were also called off at the last minute.
Anthony Hamilton, who is chronically asthmatic, caused a stir when he withdrew from his first-round match against Kyren Wilson because of concerns about catching coronavirus from the crowds.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, the five-time world snooker champion, criticised the decision to allow fans into the arena, saying players were being treated like “lab rats”.
The Rocket refused to comment on the possibility of fans being allowed in for the final when quizzed by SunSport on Tuesday night.