Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Hughes fears Pars’ fan lockout could extend beyond three weeks
DUNFERMLINE boss John Hughes fears the fans’ lockout in Scottish football could extend beyond three weeks.
Clubs were rocked on Tuesday by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that crowds were to be capped at 500 due to the increasing spread of the Omicron variant.
This was met with dismay and anger by supporters; a feeling only exacerbated when Scotland’s national clinical director Jason Leitch stated that the number of attendees was a matter of ‘judgment’.
Dunfermline will now see home fixtures against Arbroath, Inverness and Hamilton all effectively played behind closed doors.
And, asked whether he harboured fears that the three-week restrictions may last longer, Hughes said: “I have – I’ve got real worries and I’m frustrated.
“We want to be playing football in front of our supporters. As the great man (Jock Stein) said, ‘football is nothing without supporters’.
“There is a real connection here and I just really feel for the fans.
“I am worried it might go on a little bit longer – but I am also fully aware and respectful of people and families that have all been affected by Covid-19.”
While Hughes’ first thought is for the supporters denied the chance to attend upcoming fixtures, he acknowledges there are also tangible financial consequences to the Scottish Government’s decision.
Courier Sport understands Dunfermline had sold out their entire hospitality suite for the Arbroath and Inverness fixtures, over and above the huge loss of gate receipts. With the January transfer window approaching, it is an inopportune time to be haemorrhaging funds.