FM: Football clubs still need permission to host large crowds

Sporting bodies and clubs will have to continue applying for permission to host major crowds despite Scotland moving beyond level zero of coronavirus restrictions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government was temporarily keeping some mitigations in place when most legal Covid-19 regulations are removed from next Monday.

Sturgeon said: “While we expect to see the careful return of large-scale events we will, for a limited period, keep in place the processes through which organisers of outdoor events of more than 5000 and indoor events of more than 2000 will have to apply for permission.

“This is allowing us and local authorities simply to be reassured of the arrangements to be in place to reduce the risk of large-scale gatherings.”

Current restrictions remain in place for this weekend’s fixtures, which mean clubs need to apply to local authorities for permission to host crowds of more than 2000.

Celtic will host 24,500 fans for their cinch Premiership game against Dundee on Saturday.

Despite Scotland moving beyond level zero on August 9, the pandemic is not over, Sturgeon has said.

The First Minister told MSPs on Tuesday: “This change is significant and hard-earned. The sacrifices everyone has made over the past year-and-a-half can never be overstated.

“However, while this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it before Covid struck.

“Declaring freedom from, or victory over, this virus is premature.”

Hibernian CEO Ben Kensell said the club wants to get a full crowd back at Easter Road as soon as possible.

“We want to welcome back fans as safely as we can, which is very important, number one priority for us,” he said.

“But actually, we want to get a full crowd back in as soon as we possibly can for obvious reasons, to support the team on the pitch, but actually for financial and commercial reasons as well.

“But there’s no better place than a sold out or packed Easter Road to cheer the lads on.

“So, from my perspective, it can’t come soon enough. But we’ll wait for the guidance and then we’ll act appropriately.”