Lars Bo Jeppesen: We need plans for fans to return

Parken director Lars Bo Jeppesen says he welcomes the Danish government's plans to set out a route out of coronavirus restrictions in Denmark, which will be announced on 23 March.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently said that she is optimistic "a vibrant cultural life" and return to normality in Denmark will soon be within reach.

And Lars Bo hopes fans will soon be able to return to football stadiums across the country.

"Of course, we are pleased to note that the Prime Minister is positive that we can resume cultural life later this year, as we knew it before Covid-19," he said.

"But it is absolutely crucial for us that we already look at how we can begin a reopening of our football stadiums and not keep waiting or standing at the back of the queue.

"We also have the European Championship coming to Parken this summer, which we will very soon have some clarification on, so it is important that we get some answers quickly.

“As an industry, we have acted responsibly and proven that we can arrange and run matches in a safe and sound manner. We must be able to do this again quickly and therefore it fine to think positivity about the future, but we must also focus on the present and the reality Danish clubs are in.

"It is very serious and calls for us to be taken seriously. It would be a show of confidence to be prioritised in relation to reopening as soon as possible."

It is a year since Denmark first closed stadiums following the initial spread of coronavirus in Europe. And while fans were permitted to return in small numbers during the summer, Superliga stadiums have since been empty for games during much of the 2020/21 season.

"We recognise that the situation and the disease is serious, but with the protocols and procedures we have in place in several areas, we can easily begin a reopening of football for spectators now in a safe way," Lars Bo added.

"We just need to be allowed to get started, then we're ready. It has been a long and hard year for all Danes during this lockdown, and we have reached a point where we need something to look forward to and be together again.

"Here, football and cultural life play a huge role. Therefore, we believe it must be given high priority. We work every day to get our fans back in the stands, and we have to get started in a hurry."