FOOTBALL ON HOLD UNTIL A VACCINE FOUND?
First Minister rules out sporting events returning in near future
It would be wrong to give a false expectation about an early resumption of football matches Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admits football won’t be returning ‘anytime soon’ as the future of the Scottish game remains up in the air.
All football in the country has been suspended since March 13 after the SPFL and SFA acted to limit the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
St Mirren fans hoping for a quick return to action will be disappointed after epidemiologists suggested that resuming sporting action - even without fans present - may not happen until a vaccine or other treatment is found for the virus.
It is understood serious discussions have already begun on how Scottish football could survive if stadiums remain padlocked whenever the new season is ready to begin.
In her press briefing yesterday, Ms
Sturgeon responded by refusing to put a timescale on when leagues such as the Scottish Premiership may be allowed to return - even hinting that the wait could last until immunisation against Covid-19 is possible.
She said: “I’m not yet in a position to give dates when things will start again and what order things will start to go back to normal.
“People should not be under the expectation that large-scale, mass gatherings will be starting anytime soon because we must make sure we are doing everything we can to continue to suppress this virus.
“Some form of social distancing is going to be required up to the point that a vaccine is available.
“That’s me being as frank and honest as possible, we want to get a semblance of normality back into people’s lives for all sorts of reasons as quickly as possible but we cannot do that in a way that risks a resurgence of this virus.
“I know that is not good news for the majority of our population that have sport as a really important part of their lives but it would be wrong to give a false expectation right now about an early resumption of football matches, rugby matches or large-scale sporting events like that.”
The German Bundesliga is currently in training ahead of a return to closeddoor league action, supported by widespread testing.
But Sturgeon said closed- door matches are risky not because of the players inside the ground but because of the fans watching outside.
She added: “In terms of playing behind closed doors, clearly there are issues there, in terms of does that clearly take away the risks?
“If a match is being played behind closed doors but is still on television, the danger is people will still congregate together in groups to watch that.
“These things have to be carefully considered and we will share as much of that consideration with you as we can.”