Sport: Fans ‘back in stadiums by September’
● Next week’s Edinburgh-glasgow rugby clash to be first test event for supporters
The Scottish Government is planning to allow limited numbers of fans into sports stadiums from 14 September in what is a huge boost to supporters across the country.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that crowds should be back inside venues subject to coronavirus infection rates nearer the time.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Sturgeon stated that test events could be staged beforehand as the easing of lockdown continues.
She said: “We hope from 14 September sports stadia will be able to open but only with a strict number of spectators and strict physical distancing in place. Some professional sports events might be arranged for spectators to attend before then, with Scottish Government agreement to test the safety of any new arrangements.”
The Scottish Rugby Union is lobbying for next Friday night’s Pro14 clash between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors to be the first test event.
The match is scheduled to take place at BT Murrayfield, the largest stadium in Scotland with a capacity of more than 67,000. Between 600 and 700 supporters would be allowed to attend, if the Government gives the green light. Tomorrow’s match between Edinburgh and Glasgow has come too soon for the authorities and will be played behind closed doors.
Scotland’s last major sports
NICOLA STURGEON “We hope from 14 September sports stadia will be able to open but only with a strict number of spectators”
event was on 12 March when Rangers hosted Bayer Leverkusen in a Europa League tie at Ibrox. Sport went into complete shutdown thereafter, and the new Premiership campaign started earlier this month behind closed doors. The Championship, League 1 and League 1 are due to start in October.
Yesterday’s announcement also included a relaxation of lockdown restrictions which will allow the reopening of indoor facilities and the return of outdoor contact sport for adults. The First Minister said swimming pools, gyms and indoor courts can open from 31 August subject to Scottish Government safety protocols being put in place.
Facilities will be able to host non-contact activities only for the majority but children under 12 can also take part in contact sports. Adult outdoor contact training and competitions plus group coaching can resume for adults from 24 August subject to restrictions on numbers.
Joe Fitzpatrick, the minister for public health, sport and wellbeing, said: “Today’s announcement will be welcomed by the many people across the country who have greatly missed being able to use gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools, with all the health and wellbeing benefits those activities bring.”
GLASGOW CITY
V WOLFSBURG Champions League quarter-final Anoeta, San Sebastian
Today, 5pm
Live on BBC Alba
The only part-time team still in the competition, Glasgow City were only able to make the trip to San Sebastian for this evening’s Champions League quarter-final against Wolfsburg thanks to the intervention of philanthropist James Anderson.
The capital-based businessman stepped in when it became obvious that the Scottish side were struggling to finance the extra costs associated with the coronavirus, including testing protocols, plus the added expense of getting players and staff to Spain, where the newly-formatted denouement of the prestigious tournament is being staged.
But while they have benefitted from charitable donations, they will run out against the much-fancied German side determined to prove themselves less generous.
The global pandemic means that this year’s competition, which was postponed in March, has been condensed, with no home and away legs. Instead, on neutral turf, City will run out against Wolfsburg in a winner-takes-all match. But against the two-time Champions League winners the Scots know that the odds are against them.
If the gulf appears vast, it is due to more than just finances. While their German opponents managed to get in a full season, the timing of the women’s domestic campaign in Scotland meant that Glasgow City had just come off the back of pre-season and played just one league match when football ground to a halt as the nation was forced into lockdown.
Since then the dominant force in the SWPL have managed to squeeze in just one bounce game since losing that league opener to Celtic, in February. That has left everyone at the club working hard to accelerate their return to fitness, in a bid to be as ready as possible for arguably one of the biggest fixtures in the club’s history.
“It would have been nice to have had more games in the build-up but it’s difficult to get teams in the same position as us and able to train and play,” City midfielder Leanne Crichton told BBC Scotland. “But if you can’t get yourself going for a Champions League quarter-final then I don’t think you should be in football. Wolfsburg are a world-class side. We can go, empty the tank and hope for the best.”
The magnitude of the tie and the obvious danger posed by the 2013 and 2014 winners will kick start the adrenaline levels as they contend with the most mismatched game of the quarter-final stage.
A club used to winning, they have also learned from the regular European forays and have recruited quality over the summer to bolster their defence and attacking options. Us-born Krystyna Freda was signed on loan from the Cypriot champions Apollon and with 245 goals in three seasons in Cyprus, she undoubtedly knows the way to goal.
But Wolfsburg have potency in their attract as well, ensuring that the defensive abilities of Glasgow City will likely come under the greatest scrutiny.
The German side have scored 22 goals in the competition already but they have strengthened for the final run-in. As well as Denmark’s Pernille Harder and Hungary international Zsanett Jakabfi, they brought in German international and former Manchester City player Pauline Bremer this summer.
It will place a huge onus on City’s experienced newcomers, US full-back Zaneta Wyne, who had played for Sunderland, and the lauded South Africa captain and defender Janine van Wyk, who has 170 caps and signed from Fortuna Hjorring of Denmark last month.