Machibet APPFans finally return to football as select 4,000 spectators watch FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in test event | The Sun - Machibet777 APP

FOOTBALL finally welcomed back fans as 4,000 Leicester and Southampton followers streamed into Wembley for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.

The lucky 'few' strolled in the sunshine to the home of football without the usual packed pavements for such a big match before watching the action in the specially-prepared stadium.

Supporters got behind their teams in a tense FA Cup semi-finalCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

Leiceaster and Southampton were playing for a place in the FA Cup finalCredit: Getty

Some supporters took to standing on occasions, knowing there was plenty of space for others at the vast Wembley stadiumCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

Fans and players paid their respects to the late HRH Prince Philip

Spectators marked the trial event in one of the trial events for fans returningCredit: PA

They looked ultra-relaxed and just happy to be there after the government let the FA select the clash as a one-off pilot event.

That's before the May 17 nationwide date when crowds of up to 10,000 can officially return following the coronavirus lockdown.

But Brent Council successfully asked for its residents to be the only ones let in on Sunday - as Kelechi Iheanacho's winner earned the Foxes a Wembley return in the final against Chelsea next month.

And before the game fans were in socially-distanced groups as they arrived in dribs and drabs.

Once inside, they took their place in well-separated seated areas.

Masked stewards had been busy inside and out of Wembley preparing well before the 6.30pm kick-off.

Southampton fan Elliot Jenkins, left, and Leicester City fan Luke Beck share their joy ahead of the FA Cup semi-final as supporters are being allowed back in

Many fans took to their phones to keep them occupied in the absence of normal groupingsCredit: PA

Fans take their place in the Wembley seats - with plenty of spaceCredit: Getty

Even with all 4,000 fans in the Wembley stands still looked sparseCredit: Reuters

Those attending Wembley had to go through a series of checksCredit: Reuters

The atmosphere didn't quite build up in the normal wayCredit: Getty

It's finally an inside job again for spectators as they take their place at WembleyCredit: Getty

And not surprisingly once the match kicked off the 'atmosphere' was in rich contrast to pre-coronavirus times, calmer and obviously much quieter.

High-flying Leicester will now face Champions League semi-finalists Chelsea in the final of the world's oldest Cup competition, on May 15.

It followed Saturday's last-four tie behind closed doors, where the Blues overcame Manchester City 1-0.

Wembley chiefs hope 20,000 fans will be allowed in for the final.

FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE REAL THING

IT was a million miles away from the real thing but it was a start, writes DAVE KIDD.

Football’s long period of silence was broken by the polite applause of 4,000 impartial local residents and NHS workers, all armed with negative Covid tests, rather than the roars and the folk songs of actual supporters.

It sounded more like a low-key county cricket match than an FA Cup semi-final but it was a tentative first step on the road out of lockdown, back to the aim of passionate full houses at English football matches next season.

There were a couple of blokes in Leicester shirts spotted on Wembley Way before kick-off and there were a few largely unsuccessful attempts at starting chants on behalf of Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Yet there was no pretence that Jamie Vardy was having a party or that the Saints were going marching in. These were spectators, not supporters.

The doctors, nurses and teachers of Brent could never have imagined a year or so ago that the chance to watch Leicester versus Southampton could feel like such a treat.

They applauded Kelechi Iheanacho’s winner but the biggest cheer they mustered was when they clapped themselves as the PA announcer thanked them for their attendance - though it was refreshing to have them here all the same.

Next week, there will be 8,000 here at Wembley for the Carabao Cup Final - including 2,000 fans of both Manchester City and Tottenham, perhaps attending their clubs’ last ever final in English domestic football.

Then 22,000 are expected to attend the FA Cup Final between Leicester and Chelsea next month.

We had a false dawn in December when many clubs were allowed up to 2,000 fans inside grounds - and even numbers as small as that brought a significant edge to those matches, restoring home advantage, swaying players and referees.

And above all, making football feel like football again.

This time, we hope, there should be no backward steps.

Football without supporters is nothing, they say.

Football with only spectators is better than nothing, at least.