The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
CATASTROPHIC
Warning over impact on clubs after government delay supporters’ return
“We are engaging with the Scottish Government to underline the existential threat to many of our clubs, and to the huge community, economic and sporting benefits they deliver, if this grave situation continues without meaningful public financial support”
– SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster
Scottish football chiefs have warned of a “catastrophic” impact on clubs if fans are locked out of games for the majority of the season.
The Joint Response Group, chaired by SFA president Rod Petrie, is concerned that Tuesday’s decision to halt a pilot scheme to allow spectators back into stadiums across the United Kingdom amid a rise in coronavirus cases could become a “crisis” without a financial assistance package.
A JRG statement said: “The game in Scotland depends on ticket revenue far more than the vast majority of professional leagues across Europe. We usually see over five million supporters per season attending Scottish league matches – with 43% of all revenue generated via gate receipts.
“The prospect of that vital income being lost for the majority of the season – far less in its entirety – could be catastrophic for many of our clubs.
“We are committed to working with government to avert that crisis.”
The statement revealed that scotland’ s Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, has written to the UK Government seeking urgent discussions over financial support following the imposition of new restrictions amid fears they could remain in place for months.
Petrie said: “We understand the challenges and decisions facing the Scottish Government and society as a whole and Scottish football will continue to play its part in helping the country overcome the pandemic.
“It is also incumbent on us to safeguard the futures of our football clubs, whilst at the same time respecting and adhering to public health guidelines.
“We welcome the correspondence from Scottish Government to the UK Minister for Sport and Civil Society and hope for a positive outcome for the national game and Scottish sport as whole.”
Neil Doncaster, chief executive officer of the Scottish Professional Football League, added: “We are engaging with the scottish government to under line the existential threat to many of our clubs, and to the huge community, economic and sporting benefits they deliver, if this grave situation continues without meaningful public financial support.
“We therefore welcome the intervention of the Scottish Government in seeking urgent discussions with theuk Government about a package of financial recovery for Scottish sport.”
Earlier, Celtic boss Neil Lennon had urged First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to come up with a “smart solution” to get fans back into stadiums.
The Hoops boss – speaking from Riga as his side prepared for tonight’s Europa League clash in the latvian capital–said: “We have got to try to find some kind of smart solution to this going forward.
“It can’t just be a closed door and that’s it. There has to be some kind of middle ground or compromise we can find to make things better.
“And it’s not just for football, it’s for all sports because some of these sports could collapse.”
Celtic meanwhile have been working with the Scottish Rugby Union on drawing up measures to allow the safe returns of fans.
They had hoped to welcome a small number back for this month’s clash with Motherwell before permission was denied in the aftermath ofbolibo ling oli’ s unauthorised trip to Spain.
But Lennon is keen to see the work put in by chief executive peter law well not to go to waste.
He said: “We haven’t got a crystal ball, we can’t predict when supporters are going to come back into stadiums, but I think they should endeavour to push on with it even though restrictions are being tightened.
“I know that sounds a bit contradictory but where is safer to watch a game of football – in an open-air venue or in a bar or restaurant indoors?
“We want supporters in the stadium because the game is not the same. We’ve seen some sporting associations yesterday saying that for the whole infrastructure of some of the sports in the UK then it’s paramount that we get supporters back into watch sporting events.
“That’s the crux of it really. I don’t know if this is a damaging blow for what we’re (Celtic) trying to do but we’ll still endeavour to get people back into the stadium sooner rather than later.”
Lennon urged the first minister to come up with a “smart solution” to get fans back into stadiums.
The Scottish Government say they will re-examine tighter measures introduced on Tuesday in three weeks’ time – but their UK counterparts have warned it could be six months before tough new rules are lifted.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons on Tuesday that the UK Government could not go ahead with the planned reopening of venues on a socially-distanced basis from
October 1 due to a second spike in coronavirus infections.
The plan would have seen venues capped at between 25 and 35% of capacity.
That has sparked fears of a collapse in the english lower leagues andefl chiefs are now holding talks with the Premier League in a desperate bid to arrange a rescue package.
Shadow Sports Minister Alison Mcgovern has urged the government to act, and her call has been echoed by the FA, which said assistance is imperative if many clubs are to survive the current lockdown.
An FA statement read: “We understand the government’s decision, as the health of the nation is the priority. However, it is important to recognise that the impact on football will be huge.
“Clubs up and down the country are really struggling, and many will have been looking forward to crowds coming back in order to provide much-needed income during these difficult times.
“Many, at all levels of the game, are battling to survive.”
Lennon can sympathise with the the concerns that a second wave of the virus could send sport across the UK sprawling, admitting Celtic – who have more than 50,000 season-ticket holders – are also facing huge cost implications if fans remain locked out.
“That’s very stark,” he said after being asked about the possibility of six more months of restrictions.
“If that’s the reality it’s very, very disappointing.
“Circumstances have changed day by day and week by week during this pandemic and hopefully that date may came down quicker.
“If you look throughout UK football, whether it be in the Premier League, where they could lose £700m which is a huge amount of money, or the Championship and below, it’s a very dangerous precipices we’re standing on and Celtic aren’t immune to that. A lot of clubs in Scotland are not immune to that either.
“Looking at some of the comments from managers in England and some of the governing bodies, it is a very worrying situation that’s arisen regarding the welfare of sport going forward.”
It can’t just be a closed door and that’s it. There has to be some kind of middle ground or compromise we can find to make things better. NEIL LENNON