Carlisle criticised for lowering capacity to bypass Plan B restrictions

"Following conversations with the authorities and the EFL we will be reducing our capacity to below 10,000 while the current restrictions apply," said Lincoln City's chief executive Liam Scully.

"Which ultimately means there is no requirement to implement these checks at present.

"We think this is a measured approach given our available resources. The industry is already experiencing significant shortages of event staff and the requirement to provide further staffing resources, which Covid passport checks undoubtedly would, will only increase this pressure.

"From our perspective, adding the number of staff necessary to undertake checks and provide the necessary services is a logistical challenge which would add a significant cost to our matchday operations.

"Our number one priority is looking after each other - and we urge our fans to follow the regulations and play their part in helping mitigate the spread of the virus."

Like Carlisle, League One side Lincoln also have an average attendance below the 10,000 threshold, with the Imps' average attendance being 8,645.

Michael Appleton's side had their biggest crowd then they welcomed Ipswich to the LNER Stadium this season, which saw 9,874 fans attend the match. 

Carlisle's biggest attendance came in the Cumbrian derby with Barrow when 7,470 fans were present.

In League One, ten of the 24 clubs have recorded a gate higher than 10,000 this season, whereas Bradford City are the only team to have attracted a crowd of more than 10,000 in League Two. 

As the government's guidance relates to attendance rather than capacity, clubs are able to set their capacities at whatever they want in order to avoid the possibility of triggering the need to implement the covid passport scheme.

Carlisle's decision to limit their capacity so that it is below the threshold for the government's Covid passport requirements has attracted criticism from some fans. 

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