Preston North End's games at Deepdale will continue behind closed doors for the time being

Preston North End's Deepdale will have to continue hosting games behind closed doors after the latest Government announcement on the tier system.
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Lancashire being placed into Tier 3 when the second lockdown ends next week means fans will not be allowed back into sports stadiums.

The tiers will be reviewed on December 16, the hope being that Covid-19 infection rates have dropped to a level which would allow the region to move into Tier 2 - that would allow 2,000 fans in stadiums.

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As things stand, North End will play just once in front of supporters between now and the December 16 review.

Preston North End's Deepdale groundPreston North End's Deepdale ground
Preston North End's Deepdale ground

That will be against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on December, Bedfordshire having been placed in Tier 2.

The trip to Bournemouth on Tuesday night comes a few hours before the end of lockdown - had the game been a day later, fans could have attended the Vitality Stadium as the Bournemouth area is in Tier 2.

Next comes the Deepdale double header with Wycombe Wanderers (December 5) and Middlesbrough (December 9), then Luton away.

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On December 15, North End travel to Barnsley and Oakwell will be empty for that game as South Yorkshire is in Tier 3.

PNE were last able to play in front of their own supporters at Deepdale way back on March 7 against Queens Park Rangers.

The 2019/20 season was suspended six days later and only resumed behind closed doors on June 20, finishing a month later.

For how much longer the 2020/21 campaign continues with no fans remains to be seen.

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