Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has given a hint when fans are expected to return to stadiums.
The Premier League season will restart next month but matches will be played behind closed doors.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Masters said: “No one knows when matches will move away from the behind-closed-doors model and it is right to have contingency plans in place.
“But there is optimism at the Premier League and at clubs that we will see fans back in the stadiums next season and it may happen on a phased basis.
“Hopefully it will be a huge morale boost and that is what we’ve been working towards.
“We’ve got some incredible fans in this country and we all know the Premier League as we know and love it won’t be fully back until we have fans back through the turnstiles.
“Getting it back on our TV screens for people to enjoy will hopefully give the whole country a boost.”