Pictured
THROW BOOK AT HIM
Piers Morgan, Gary Lineker and Prem stars slam Arsene Wenger book launch being filled with fans as stadium ban goes on
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PIERS MORGAN, Gary Lineker and Premier League stars slammed Arsene Wenger's book launch after fans packed in for the event - despite no supporters being allowed into grounds.
The former Arsenal boss was at the London Palladium on Monday night.
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However, the venue later said it was operating at 50 per cent capacity - in line with current government guidelines.
Wenger was promoting his new autobiography - My Life In Red And White - with an audience at the West End theatre.
But while hundreds gathered inside the indoor venue for the Q&A, no one is allowed to attend professional matches in England at outdoor stadia.
Gunners fan and TV presenter Piers Morgan tweeted a picture from the event with people crammed in and very little social distancing seemingly taking place.
He wrote: "How can the London Palladium be packed like this last night for an event with Arsene Wenger, but football fans aren’t allowed to watch matches outside even socially distanced?
"I’m completely bemused."
Match of the Day host Lineker added: "Makes no sense whatsoever. You can listen to football chat in a relatively crowded indoor arena, but you can’t watch football with a limited crowd in an outdoor arena."
However, a spokesman for LW Theatres, who own The London Palladium said the venue was "not" full and was "operating at 50 per cent capacity".
They said: “The London Palladium was not 'packed' last night for 'An Evening with Arsene Wenger'.
"We were operating at 50 per cent capacity. This is fully in line with, and indeed goes further than, the Government's current Stage 4 guidance for the reopening of theatres."
The Government in August revealed they hoped to bring back live crowds at a limited capacity by the start of October.
Successful pilot test events, including with Premier League and EFL clubs, went ahead before tighter restrictions were brought in and lockdown tightened.
Chiefs of the Premier League, EFL, The FA, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship have reassured fans that they are 'fully committed' to your safe return to football grounds as soon as possible.
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Full statement from LW Theatres
“The London Palladium was not 'packed' last night for 'An Evening with Arsene Wenger'.
"We were operating at 50 per cent capacity. This is fully in line with, and indeed goes further than, the Government's current Stage 4 guidance for the reopening of theatres."
"With the support of public health officials and Westminster Council, social distancing of 1m distance plus safety mitigations - for example mandatory face coverings - is in place between each customer bubble across The London Palladium.
“We have ensured that all bubbles are seated at least 1m apart through reconfigured seats: in the circles, we use 'chequerboard' seating and, in the stalls, we have respaced rows to ensure a 1m distance on all sides.
"Operating at or below 50 per cent capacity, this is part of a wide range of health and safety measures, including mandatory temperature checks on arrival and an enhanced cleaning regime, in place across the theatre.
"More information about all the measures in place across The London Palladium can be found on our website."
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As things stand, though, it is likely to be spring before people can see their teams play live again.
Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt also took to Twitter to share his exasperation at the current rules.
He tweeted similar photos - thought to be from a different event also at the London Palladium - and said: "I'm not some expert on COVID but I have common sense, can someone tell me the difference between this and fans at a stadium?"
Football bosses beg Government to allow supporters back into stadiums and insist it’s safe
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