The government is set to apply the brakes on the timeline for fans returning to watch live sport next month, with as little as 1,000 spectators allowed back to stadiums instead of the initial plans for up to 30 per cent of a venue.  

Provisional guidelines were in place for restrictions to be lifted at elite sporting events from October 1. 

However, according a letter written to a Conservative MP from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the number permitted now is set to be heavily diluted to around 1,000 - 2,500.