SFASETTOPROBE CELTSDUBAIPICS
outside of the top two tiers of the SPFL has been placed in coronavirus lockdown for at least three weeks – following another warning shot fired by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The FM called again for the SFA to launch an investigation into the champions’ winter training camp during her daily Covid briefing yesterday just as Celtic were confirming 13 players and manager Neil Lennon have been ordered to self-isolate following a positive test for Christopher Jullien.
And although Maxwell confirmed the government approved Celtic’s plan to train in the UAE, he admitted the governing body is looking into potential breaches of social distancing protocol which have been flagged up from the camp.
He said: “The permission to go was given by the Scottish government. In terms of any alleged breaches that happened during their trip, you will be aware of the disciplinary process we have which is well used.
“We have a compliance officer who looks at all sorts of alleged breaches from all sorts of clubs over all sorts of alleged incidents.
“Everything we are made aware of goes through that process and it would be foolish to say we have not been made aware of issues potentially with Celtic being abroad.
“That will go through the process and it’s obviously not appropriate to comment on an ongoing issue. We will just see what happens from there.”
Asked if the FM’s repeated demands for an SFA probe has piled on pressure for a response Maxwell said: “No. But I think she’s right. Any breach of a rule or a Covid breach is up to the governing body to be involved in.
“That’s not for the government – they don’t micro-manage Scottish football.”
But while Maxwell would not say if Celtic were likely to face an SFA charge he did concede the club must be regretting the decision to travel across the globe during a pandemic.
Maxwell said: “There are two sides to it. There’s the fact they went and was it right for them to go? Then was it the right decision to follow that through?
“From a permission perspective they asked in November through our competitions department, who are in touch with the Scottish government, if they could go to Dubai.
“But there’s the perception issue. Is it right at this point of time they followed through on that? I’m sure that’s something Celtic are reconsidering in light of the events that happened.
“Were they allowed to go? Technically under the rules yes they were. They were given permission to go.
“Should they have gone? I’m sure Celtic are asking themselves that very question.”
It’s understood Celtic will fight any punishment despite snaps emerging of Lennon and Scott Brown drinking beers next to other hotel guests by the pool.
Sources say the club will point to Scotland’s post-match celebrations following Euro 2020 qualification as an even more blatant breach of protocol.
Maxwell added: “There are always things that happen that technically, within the regulations, aren’t ideal. It’s just about managing those, I suppose.”