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| A Manchester City staff member is seen wearing a protective face mask outside the stadium before the match, as play resumes behind closed |
Football supporters groups from around Europe have criticised attempts to liven up matches in empty stadiums by using artificial crowd noise, describing it as a rebuke to match-going fans.
The fans said that the recent return of football following the coronavirus stoppage, with matches behind closed doors, had shown that supporters were โthe lifeblood of the gameโ and their contribution should be recognised by leagues and clubs.
โWe have significant concerns regarding attempts by broadcasters to replace or imitate the unique atmosphere produced by fans,โ said the statement by the umbrella group Football Supporters Europe, which was also signed by 26 fan groups from one dozen European countries.
โAugmented reality technology, pre-recorded chants, and other forms of artificial support represent a rebuke to match-going fans,โ it said. โThe absence of fans cannot be compensated for by a computer simulation aimed at the amusement of television audiences.โ
Some broadcasters, such as Germanyโs Sky, have given viewers to option of watching games with artificial crowd noise while in some countries, such as Hungary, crowd noise has been piped into the stadiums themselves.
The supporters also demanded greater participation in discussions over footballโs future โincluding the necessary overhaul of governance structures and financial regulations.โ
โThere can be no return to normal,โ it said. โLasting change is needed to make the game sustainable from top to bottom, and fans stand ready to play a part in shaping that change.โ
REUTERS
