Albion will keep “pushing very hard” to bring fans back to the Amex.

But deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber has described increased social-distancing measures revealed this week as one-and-a-half steps back.

He remains encouraged by the recent test event which saw the Seagulls host Chelsea in front of 2,500 fans.

Such pilot fixtures have now been capped at 1,000 spectators.

Barber said: “We are not surprised. We are obviously a bit frustrated in that we feel we have taken a couple of steps forward and maybe one-and-a-half back.”

Albion remain determined to bring fans back as soon and as safely as they can.

Barber told last night’s BBC Sussex fans’ forum: “I had a long call with the government this morning just to talk again about some of the things we went through against Chelsea.

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“They are very happy with what we have done but they have to balance so many factors.”

Barber still hopes to see fans in Premier League stadia some time in October.

But he accepts it looks less likely that will happen early in the month after this week’s government updates.

He added: “I think that is going to be very much a moveable feast.

“We are pushing very hard with the government and the Premier League to try and get fans back.”