10,000 fans set to attend Europa League final in Gdansk as coronavirus infections fall in Poland

UEFA and the Polish authorities are finalising plans to allow 10,000 fans to attend the Europa League final in Gdansk, next month.

Sportsmail can reveal that the showpiece, due to take place at the 41,000-seat Gdansk Stadium on May 26, is now expected to be played in front of a quarter-full stadium and an announcement is due on Friday.

It raises the exciting prospect of Manchester United and Arsenal playing out a European final in front of supporters, provided both teams can emerge from tough semi-final ties.

Gdansk Stadium in Poland is due to host the Europa League final on May 26 this year

United play Roma in the first leg of their semi-final, while Arsenal travel to Villareal, with both games taking place tomorrow.

Polish media reports the Europa League final has been earmarked as the first football match to admit fans in Poland since the pandemic began.

The Polish authorities have to approve whether fans will be allowed to attend the game, but Sportowe Fakty says detailed discussions have taken place and plans are ‘on track’.

The positive moves by the Polish authorities and UEFA will raise hopes among the supporters of English clubs that they may get to see the game, but it is far from clear whether fans would be able to attend if their teams make it to the final.

Manchester United and Arsenal could play in the Europa League final in front of 10,000 fans

Currently, government travel restrictions prevent UK nationals travelling abroad for holidays.

The earliest possible date for foreign travel to resume is May 17, but that has not been confirmed.

Today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the NHS app will double as a covid passport for tourists, featuring both vaccination and test status, but he has not said exactly when that will be available.

Sources have told Mail Online that development of the app is being rushed through before May 17. however, in an interview on Sky News, Shapps said the app is being worked on to become a health certificate for international travel ahead of the G7 summit in Cornwall in early June.

Transport minister Grant Shapps has said the NHS app is being developed as a covid passport

Shapps refused to be drawn on the finer details of how the app would work – leaving unanswered questions – including when it will be in operation, whether all leisure travel will depend upon it and if people who are not vaccinated, but have a negative test, will still need to quarantine when they return to the UK.

Currently, UK nationals arriving in Poland can be exempt from 10 days self-isolation, if they take a test for coronavirus on arrival and it is negative.

Poland has suffered high rates of coronavirus infection in recent months, but it has avoided a third wave of the pandemic, which has affected other European countries.