London sporting events to take place behind closed doors as capital moves into Covid tier three

Wednesday’s Premier League matches at Arsenal, Fulham and West Ham will be played behind closed doors as London is moved into tier three coronavirus restrictions. 

The capital will be under the most severe form of Covid-19 rules from just after midnight on Tuesday night following a spike in cases, meaning sporting events will once again take place without crowds. 

That means only one session of the PDC World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace, on Tuesday, will take place with 1,000 fans in attendance as planned. 

Arsenal’s match with Southampton on Wednesday will be played behind closed doors as London moves into tier three Covid-19 restrictions from just after midnight on Tuesday night

Health Secretary Matt Hancock briefed MPs in London and the South East about the increase in Covid restrictions during a conference call on Monday afternoon ahead of a format announcement.

The restrictions will come into effect at 0001 on Tuesday night into Wednesday. 

Under tier three, which is already in force in large swaths of northern England the Midlands, sports events must take place without any spectators. 

More to follow.