HOLYROOD TURNS DOWN DONS’ PLAN FOR FANS

THE Scottish Government has rejected Aberdeen’s plans to have fans in place at their next two fixtures at Pittodrie. The Dons hoped to have 1,000 supporters inside their ground for Ross County’s visit on December 12, with double that attending the home match with St Johnstone on Boxing Day. Inverness CT, Ross County and Elgin City have been allowed to welcome back a limited amount of fans because the Highlands and Moray are in tier one of the Covid-19 restrictions.

But the Granite City is in tier two and the Holyrood executive has turned down Aberdeen’s proposal. Dons chairman Dave Cormack had warned that the club faces losing £5million in revenue if fans are not allowed to return to Pittodrie for the remainder of the 2020/21 season. The club’s application was endorsed by professor Gary Macfarlane, an expert in epidemiology at University of Aberdeen.

He said: ‘I have reviewed the impressively robust and detailed operational plans and protocols which AFC have developed. They fully take account of the measures which have been recommended by the Scottish Government to control the spread of the virus in such settings. ‘It is my view that the highly-regulated, outdoor environment at Pittodrie, tested with just over 2,000 fans socially distanced at two metres, would ensure that the risk to individuals is extremely low.’

Aberdeen hosted 300 fans at Pittodrie for Kilmarnock’s visit in September. Meanwhile, the club have paid tribute to title-winning midfielder Bobby Wishart, who has died aged 87. Wishart helped the Dons win the Scottish League championship in 1955 before also helping Dundee to their only title win in 1962. An online statement read: ‘It is with immense sadness that we have today learned of the passing of Bobby Wishart.’