The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Saints supporters: ‘Let fans in for final’
FOOTBALL: Scottish Government and SFA urged to get spectators into match
St Johnstone fans are urging football chiefs to work with Holyrood in order to find a way of allowing fans to attend the Scottish Cup final. Saints play Hibernian at Hampden on May 22 in search of a historic cup double – but there are currently no plans to allow spectators into the ground despite a relaxation of coronavirus rules.
From Monday, crowds of 500 fans will be allowed under Level 2 regulations, while as many as 12,500 are expected to be permitted to Euro 2020 matches – which take place just three weeks after St Johnstone’s date with destiny.
Jamie Beatson, editor of St Johnstone fan site We Are Perth, said: “We are in the absurd situation where there will be fans allowed to attend the SPFL lower league play-off finals but not the biggest single game in the Scottish season. The rules are now being relaxed and it will be galling for us to watch fans in stadia north and south of the border over the next few weeks only for us to be locked out of such a massive occasion.”
ASt Johnstone supporters group has called on the Scottish Football Association and Scottish Government to urgently work to get fans into the Scottish Cup final.
Scotland’s Covid-19 rules change next Monday – with crowds of 500 fans allowed under Level Two regulations.
National clinical director Jason Leitch said last month the rules also allow for clubs and the SFA to apply for a higher capacity from next week.
That caveat has allowed plans to be put in place for 12,500 fans to attend Hampden just three weeks after the Scottish Cup final for Euro 2020 matches in early June.
But there are no plans to allow fans into the Scottish Cup showpiece between Hibernian and St Johnstone – with the SFA stating Hampden will be in the hands of Uefa as preparations are made for those international matches.
Jamie Beatson, editor of St Johnstone fan site We Are Perth, said: “We are in the absurd situation where there will be fans allowed to attend the SPFL lower league play-off finals but not the biggest single game in the Scottish season.
“Those games are the same weekend but there seems to be no will from the SFA to even attempt to get fans, who are the lifeblood of the game, into the match.
“If it can’t be at Hampden find another stadium – any stadium – that can host it, and set a capacity accordingly.
“There is still time, but only if they move now.
“From a Saints perspective this could be the biggest game and – if we are lucky enough to win – the biggest achievement in our club’s history. Hibs fans will feel the same.
“This could be the best season in their recent history if they sealed third place and the Scottish Cup in the same year.
“It is huge for both sets of fans, who have been locked out of stadiums for over a year now.
“There has been a good reason for that – but the rules are now being relaxed and it will be galling for us to watch fans in stadia north and south of the border over next few weeks only for us to be locked out of such a massive occasion.”
As Betfred Cup winners after their triumph earlier this year, St Johnstone have already had a season to remember. And after the weekend’s heroics, they are now set for a remarkable second cup final showdown of the season at Hampden.
For any Scottish club outwith the Old Firm, two finals in the same season is the stuff of fairytales.
And, in normal times, it would be the jumping off point for a thousand gloried stories passed down from generation to generation. Sadly, these are not normal times. Covid has already robbed the Saints faithful of the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere and witness first-hand their heroes lift one piece of silverware.
And now it looks as though it is going to deny them – and fans of their opponents Hibs – of that same opportunity when the Scottish Cup final takes place behind closed doors.
Some may see that as nothing more than tough luck.
But with Covid restrictions easing significantly and the prospect of up to 12,500 fans being accommodated at Euro 2020 fixtures at the same venue just three weeks later, and crowds of up to 500 elsewhere, it is understandable that fans’ groups are pushing for the decision to be reviewed.
As with everything Covid-related, safety must be paramount.
But this is Scotland’s showpiece fixture of the season and if there is any possibility that fans could be accommodated safely then that must be explored.