FANS of “elite” non-league teams will be unable to visit “non-elite” clubs for this weekend’s FA Cup qualifying games — but home supporters will be welcome to attend. 

The FA’s announcement today, made in accordance with the government, was a further confusing hit to hopes for socially distanced crowds across England’s lower leagues.

Teams designated as elite — those participating in non-league’s top three divisions, the National League — will play their home ties behind closed doors.