Scottish Government rejects plea to allow up to 4,000 spectators at football matches in areas with a low Covid rate
The Scottish Government has rejected a plea to follow England’s lead in allowing up to 4,000 spectators to attend football matches in areas where there is a low transmission rate for Covid-19, despite a forecast that the current situation will sound a “death knell” for some clubs north of the border.
The request was made by Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the Scottish Professional Football League, after it was revealed that restrictions would be eased where appropriate in England.
Scottish clubs have the highest physical attendances per head of population in Europe and are thus more vulnerable to the financial impact of lockdown. “Our clubs have been hit far harder by the lock-out than those in England because we depend much more heavily on gate receipts,” Doncaster said.
“Despite the enormous financial consequences, our clubs have followed every directive and every instruction from the Scottish Government. Clubs, supporters and players have been hugely patient. It’s now time to get the fans back.
“Every major club in Scotland has very detailed, well-founded plans in place for safely returning fans back to stadiums. We are now calling on the First Minister to do the right thing by Scotland’s hard-pressed football supporters. If it’s good enough for English fans, it must be good enough for Scottish fans.
“If the First Minister refuses to allow football fans all over Scotland to watch their beloved teams in carefully regulated, limited numbers, complete with track and trace, she will have to explain to them the clinical difference between Scottish fans and English fans.”
Nicola Sturgeon, though, rejected Doncaster’s request. “However much Neil Doncaster, for reasons I understand, is only looking at football, we can’t see any sector in isolation because there is only so much we can do overall to keep the virus under control,” she said.
There was a modicum of encouragement for some Scottish clubs in a separate announcement by Shared Access, the wireless infrastructure operator, along with the Scottish Football Partnership Trust. Clubs who have registered to permit installation of communications infrastructure at their grounds will share in a £5 million investment over the next five years.
Stuart McCaffrey, chief operating officer at the SFPT, said: “We’ve been hugely encouraged by the interest and response to the scheme so far from clubs spread across the length and breadth of Scotland since we launched the registration process two months ago.
“Our partnership with Shared Access provides a viable funding option for clubs at a time when football across every level faces difficult financial challenges in terms of sustaining, enhancing and improving facilities.
“It is critical for the long-term health of football, and the nation more generally, that we find innovative ways to bring investment into grass-roots sport. Shared Access has a tried and tested model for helping clubs and we are excited to be part of something that is going to bring benefits to clubs and communities.”
