Rovers’ meeting with Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday has not been given the green light to be included as a ‘pilot game’ which would have allowed some supporters back in to Ewood Park.

The EFL notified clubs yesterday that they would have to submit their proposals to host a game by 2pm in order to be considered part of the pilot game proposal for this weekend’s fixtures.

Rovers did just that, however the local Covid-19 rates mean they have had their request turned down.

The club will continue to lobby for supporters to be allowed back inside Ewood Park, and will push for their October 3 fixture with Cardiff City to get the go ahead.

The EFL has given the go-ahead for 10 matches to be played in front of up to 1,000 spectators each on Saturday.

The fixtures in question are Luton v Derby, Middlesbrough v Bournemouth and Norwich v Preston in the Championship, Blackpool v Swindon, Charlton v Doncaster, Shrewsbury v Northampton and Hull v Crewe in League One and Forest Green Rovers v Bradford, Carlisle v Southend and Morecambe v Cambridge in League Two.

Rovers said in a statement: “Rovers can confirm that permission has not been granted for this weekend’s home game against Wycombe Wanderers to be staged as a pilot event.

“The club had made a request for up to 1,000 supporters to return to the stadium for our first home league game of the season this Saturday, however due to concerns around the number of cases of Covid-19 in the local area, our application has been declined by the DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport).

“An exhaustive amount of work had taken place behind the scenes to develop a set of stringent operational guidelines to allow the safe return of supporters to Ewood Park, including a revised socially distanced seating plan, and we will continue our efforts to try and bring supporters back to the stadium for our next home game against Cardiff City on Saturday, October 3, should we be allowed to do so.

“Adult, young adult and senior supporters who have purchased a 2020-21 Season Pass, which went on sale yesterday, will be given access to the iFollow Rovers stream for Saturday’s game.

“Adults and seniors will also receive a pro-rata deduction off their 2021-22 Season Pass, minus the £10 match pass. Under-18s and Under-12s will both receive a pro-rata refund, but will not receive an iFollow code.”