The term ‘behind closed doors’ has been used for a long time in soccer. But what exactly does it mean? And what causes a match to be played behind closed doors?
Below, we look at the term in more detail and explain everything you need to know about games that are played without fans in soccer.
What does behind closed doors in soccer mean?
In soccer, behind closed doors is a term that is used to refer to a match that is played without any spectators present. Matches can be played without spectators for a number of reasons, be it health and safety or perhaps because it’s a pre-season friendly. We take a look at the term in detail below so you can fully understand why soccer matches are sometimes played without a crowd.
Why are behind closed doors matches necessary?
Before 2019-20, most soccer fans would only have seen behind closed-door matches once in a while. But the pandemic meant that soccer all around the world was played in front of empty stands. Let’s look at some of the main reasons why soccer matches are played behind closed doors:
Covid-19
When Covid-19 spread around the world at the start of 2020, most sports venues were shut down to the public. In fact, most sports were temporarily suspended as governments around the world grappled with managing the pandemic.
However, after months of lockdowns and shutouts, many leagues permitted their teams to resume playing once more, but with one condition – all matches should be played behind closed doors.
Thedecision was made to enable soccer to continue, which allowed fans to tune in from home. But due to the ease at which Covid-19 passes from person to person, fans were not allowed in the stadium to watch the action live.
Crowd issues
Before Covid-19, behind closed doors, matches were used as a punishment. After all, playing a match in front of your home fans is seen as a significant advantage. But when fans (or indeed players) misbehave, the soccer authorities may instruct them to play a set number of games behind closed doors.
One recent example of behind closed doors in soccer being used as a punishment is when UEFA ordered the England national team to play a World Cup Qualifier behind closed doors, following crowd trouble at the Euro 2020 final, which England lost.
In addition to the behind closed doors mandate, the Football Association was fined £85,000 and placed under investigation, with future home matches to be scrutinized by the governing body.
Safety concerns
In rare cases, safety concerns may cause a soccer match to be played behind closed doors. This is the case if sections of a stadium are deemed unfit for spectators.
Equally, the weather outside a soccer ground could lead to the surrounding areas being deemed unsafe, which may lead to the game going ahead without supporters being present.
While safety concerns rarely lead to behind closed doors mandates, it’s worth noting that it does happen from time to time.
No need for spectators
Some soccer matches are played behind closed doors because there’s no need for spectators to attend in the first place. This is the case with some pre-season friendlies or matches that are arranged during the season to help players improve their fitness.
These are essentially friendly matches, and the outcome isn’t important. So, while it might seem harsh, the fact that there’s nothing riding on the final score means that there’s no need to invite spectators to watch the match.
As a result, such games are commonly played at training grounds and not in soccer stadiums, but they’re still referred to as matches played behind closed doors.
Who is allowed in the stadium?
In most instances, there are actually several groups of people allowed to watch a match that is played behind closed doors, and the stadium isn’t necessarily empty. In addition to players and coaches, the following people may be in attendance:
- Club officials (directors, CEOs, etc.)
- Journalists and photographers
- Medical staff
- Officials from the league and governing body
As such, it’s common for behind closed doors matches to be played out in front of several hundreds of spectators. The term simply means that the general public isn’t permitted to attend the match.
Who decides that a match should be played behind closed doors?
In most instances, the relevant soccer authority determines whether or not a match should be played behind closed doors. As the example with the England national team proves, it is often a punishment dished out by a regulatory body.
However, in recent times, the decision to play soccer matches behind closed doors was taken by governments, as it was a safety precaution in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.
When clubs decide to play friendly matches behind closed doors, they make the decision themselves. As such, various groups can decide to play soccer matches behind closed doors, but it’s often something that is decided by the relevant governing body.
Do all soccer teams play behind closed doors?
From time to time, most soccer teams will probably play matches behind closed doors. While it’s not necessarily because of punishment, it’s more likely to result from a friendly match that has been arranged before or during the season.
So, while it’s true that soccer is nothing without the fans, matches can undoubtedly carry on without spectators present in certain circumstances, as explained above.
Recap: Behind closed doors in soccer
Although soccer fans are a hugely important part of the sport, some matches are played in front of no supporters at all.
This is referred to as a match that is played behind closed doors in soccer, which can occur for multiple reasons, as we’ve examined.