The Spectator

Which football teams have welcomed the strangest fake crowds?

(Getty Images)

Unusual crowd

FC Seoul apologised after using sex dolls to try to create some atmosphere as games went ahead behind closed doors because of coronavirus. It is not the first time a football club has got into trouble over a fake crowd. In 1992 Arsenal covered up works at the north end of its Highbury stadium with a large mural of spectators — but was forced to repaint it after complaints that it did not contain enough women or ethnic minorities. The Italian Serie C side Triestina also experimented in 2010 with a fake crowd of 10,000 virtual fans printed on vinyl sheeting.

Covid worldwide

Cases and deaths from Covid-19 have been declining in Britain and across Europe. But what about the world as a whole?

Week ending | New cases | Deaths

19 April – 545,223 – 46,601
26 April – 563,574 – 41,185
3 May – 558,909 – 44,94
10 May – 567,648 – 35,731
17 May – 608,132 –  33,033
Source: WHO




Them apples

What’s happened to fresh food prices since the coronavirus epidemic began?

The largest increases between 10 January and 15 May (per kg):
Bramley apples £1.26 to £2.28
Red cabbage 46p to 67p
Carrots 35p to 55p
Cauliflower 51p to 74p


And the biggest decreases:
Rhubarb £5.17 to £2.11
Parsnips £1.02 to 72p
Spring greens £1.90 to £1.44
Celeriac 90p to 76p
Source: ONS



Unlock unlimited access, free for a month

then subscribe from as little as £1 a week after that
SUBSCRIBE

Mile-long trains

Train services were increased, but with security guards to control crowding.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in