Digital passports could allow football fans back into stadiums next season, ex-sports minister revealed

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DIGITAL passports could allow football fans back into stadiums next season under plans being worked on by ministers and the Premier League. 

Former sports minister Richard Caborn revealed the Government is in discussions to trial the proposals at training sessions for up to 5,000 spectators to test whether they will work. 

Digital passports could allow football fans back into stadiums next season

There is currently no date for when mass gatherings such as sports events or gigs will be able to return, with experts warning it is unlikely to happen before a coronavirus vaccine is found. 

But the boss of the firm testing Premier League players said a digital health passport could be a “game-changer”. 

Mr Caborn said the proposals being worked on by ministers, clubs and testing and tech companies could be ready to open the turnstiles for the next football season, which is expected to start in September. 

The health passport would be a web-based platform that shows the individual’s Covid-19 testing status and history. 

It is understood that under the plans, fans would scan the passport using a QR code when they enter a stadium – along with their matchday ticket. 

Mr Caborn said tech firm VST Enterprises are involved in designing a platform for the digital health passport. 

He told the BBC Radio 4: “I do know that there is obviously some discussions taking place with Government and the Premier League I understand, to see whether they can start digital passports.  

“There are some proposals they trial this at training sessions with up to 5,000 just to test that through to see if that will work.

“As i understand it, there are some British companies which are working with the clubs, VST Enterprise for example have got this platform. 

“Technology that is now being rushed into sport to see if the digital passport would be sufficient to allow fans to start coming back. 

“In terms of next season there’s a genuine attempt from the technology side of it to make that happen.”

Testing and digital health company Prenetics, which has been conducting testing for Premier League players and staff, said digital health passports opened the door to fans returning to stadiums. 

Avi Lasarow told Reuters: “I think its going to be a big game-changer in terms of linking COVID-19 testing results… to a digital access mechanism based on biometrics and other such factors.

“With any innovation, you’re always thinking about what the end goal is… in the world of sport it’s about getting fans back into the stadium.”