Outrage as film crew are allowed to use sports facilities – but locals are banned under Covid rules 

A film crew company sparked outrage after they were ‘spotted using sports facilities’ while locals are currently banned under Covid rules.

An angry west London resident recorded videos of the film crew as they worked under the Westway flyover in Kensington and Chelsea. 

He slammed the scenes as ‘madness’, saying that the crew could use the football pitches and the gym despite locals being banned from using the facilities during the national Covid lockdown

But the football players were part of the cast and crew reportedly filming American comedy series Ted Lasso.

The video appears to show a film crew carrying equipment on set

The video clip shows people on a busy street below Westway Flyover in west London, where a film crew are understood to be filming an American comedy TV show

The series, produced by Shoe Bucket Ltd and aired on Apple TV, stars Jason Sudeikis as a small-time football coach hired to coach a professional team in England, despite having no experience.

Footage of the scene has been posted on social media by an outraged local resident. 

People are currently banned from using the facilities, as group sport is not allowed under Covid rules and people are encouraged to stay home during lockdown. 

Under current Government guidelines, people are banned from meeting others outdoors – unless they have formed a bubble – and all gym and sports facilities remain closed as they are not considered essential services.

People are also required to work from home, unless they cannot physically do so. 

However filming has been permitted to continue, as long as ‘all filming activity is carried out in a Covid secure manner’. 

This requires social distancing on set, additional health and safety advisors, medical advisors, and on-set cleaning, according to guidance issued by the British Film Commission. 

Clip shows floodlit football pitch

With a man dressed like a marshall stood alongside

A second clip shows people playing football on a floodlit pitch with a man in a high-vis jacket looking on

In the clip posted on Twitter, people are seen congregating on the dark street running beneath the flyover. 

Some appear to be carrying film and lighting equipment, such as a sound boom, while boxes are also piled on the pavement. 

The man filming can be heard saying: ‘Can’t do exercise, or gym, but you can film’. 

In a second clip floodlights can be seen shining bright over what looks like an astroturf pitch. 

A football goal can be seen in the foreground and people in colourful shirts are seen in the distance. 

A male voice can be heard on the clip saying: ‘Only the film crew are allowed to play football. If you live round here you can’t play football.’ 

Posting the clips on social media, the man wrote: ‘Over at the @WestwayTrust in the borough of @RBKC we have a whole film shoot going on. 

‘During a so called #pandemic its crazy because the gym is open for the film crew but we haven’t been able to step foot in it for months…’ 

He added: ‘They even got a pitch open to play ball this is a mockery of the highest order @WestwayTrust @RBKC how can this be possible when we who live here are moved on by the @metpoliceuk i would love to know the reasons.’ 

Another social media user posted: ‘It doesnt make any sense at all. Where are these people coming from? How come the sports centres can be open to film but not use.’ 

The situation was flagged to the Metropolitain Police who asked the invdividual who filmed the clips to contact them with more information.  The force has also been contacted by Mail Online for comment. 

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council were aware of the production and suspended some parking in the area to enable the film crew to work effectively. 

They confirmed they will be getting in touch with Shoe Bucket Production to ensure all Covid safety measures are being adhered to on set. 

A Kensington and Chelsea spokesperson said: ‘All TV and film production companies working in our borough have to take the necessary steps to limit the spread of coronavirus and protect their cast, crew and our residents, such as on-set Covid marshals, sanitising stations and regular testing for indoor filming.

‘The shoot was agreed between the production company and the private site. 

‘The Council didn’t receive an application for any filming on public land and our enforcement officers will be checking on the shoot to make sure filming is restricted to the private location.’

The Westway Trust, responsible for the area below the flyover, and Show Bucket Ltd were also contacted for comment.