TEAMS WANT TALKS ON FANS
clubs are now desperate to build on that in the face of worries they won’t be able to shift season books.
The First Minister yesterday said the country could be down to level zero by late June and all restrictions lifted by the end of the summer.
But she failed to mention football specifically, heightening fears our game will remain locked out.
Sturgeon, delivering a Covid briefing, said: “I’ve just mentioned we expect to reach level zero at the end of June.
“However, I’m well aware level zero – although a vast improvement on where we are now – still involves significant restrictions in some respects.
“I want to be clear again – reaching level zero is not the extent of our ambitions.
“Later on in the summer – as the number of people who have been vaccinated increases further – we hope that a level of normality well beyond level zero will become possible.”
Despite no updates from Holyrood chiefs, our game’s power brokers are already working on their own ideas they hope will get Scottish Government backing.
A senior Premiership official said: “Scotland has been given the go-ahead for around 12,000 fans to be at Hampden for the Euros, providing there aren’t any more spikes with the pandemic, which is brilliant news.
“We know that the most important thing is controlling the pandemic and making sure people are safe.
“It is clear things are moving in the right direction. If that continues, then we will be seeking talks with the Government over the next few weeks to see if we can put a road map in place to get fans back into stadiums.
“We have seen how important football has been throughout the lockdown. Getting fans back gradually and then building things up is hopefully the next logical step.
“All the clubs know fans are the lifeblood of our clubs and Scottish football hasn’t been the same without them in the grounds.” England already have test events lined up for the end of their domestic season but that is unlikely to happen north of the border.
There was a call for the Scottish Cup Final to be used but that has since been dismissed because governing body UEFA will take control of the National Stadium to finalise Euro 2020 preparations.
And the likelihood is that Scottish fans won’t see their clubs in action until next season, at the earliest.
That, in itself, is going to cause clubs an issue when it comes to selling season tickets, corporate and sponsorship for the next campaign.
They are the main sources of income for our already struggling sides.
Most supporters failed to see their team in action this season and some could also demand refunds back from a campaign in which they have been locked out.
Scotland’s top-flight outfits did offer virtual season tickets but a lot of fans may not renew if there is no light on a return to stadia.
That is the genuine concern of clubs.
If clubs or the Joint Response Group are given a rough idea of numbers, then it would make packages far easier to sell.
It would also give fans a bit more clarity by knowing it would, in effect, not simply be a donation next time around.
Dundee United were one of the first teams to put season tickets on sale for the 2021-22 season.
Ross County did have limited fans at their home games, along with several other Highland clubs, before the latest lockdown.
Aberdeen also had a trial game against Kilmarnock but since Boxing Day it has been a total lockout.