British sports chiefs back use of "vaccine passports" to fill stadiums

In a letter to lawmakers, a number of bodies including the Football Association, Premier League, Rugby Football Union and England and Wales Cricket Board said current social-distancing rules would be "insufficient to end sport's Covid financial crisis".

Test events are being launched over the coming weeks as part of the government's roadmap out of lockdown, with a FA Cup semi-final and the FA Cup final among pilots for the "Covid status certification" scheme.

Britain plans to issue identification showing whether people are vaccinated, have antibodies or have tested negative, despite opposition from lawmakers in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's own party.

Johnson and opposition leader Keir Starmer are among several politicians to be told by sporting organisations that vaccine and testing passports are a "credible option" to achieve full venues.