‘Irresponsible’ to allow fans into stadiums in level two, says minister
Fans are unlikely to be allowed back into stadiums in numbers higher than 300 in level one until after the Christmas period, the minister for sport has said.
Joe Fitzpatrick, giving evidence to the Holyrood health and sport committee yest er day, said the guidance would not change until the impact on the prevalence of Covid-19 caused by the relaxation of restrictions over Christmas was fully understood.
He said there was no route map indicating when more than 300 fans would be allowed into games in lower level areas and that it would “irresponsible” for areas not in level one to see fans return. Mr Fitzpatrick said: "That is something we need to look at when we get confidence that what we have put in place right now in terms of 300 and increasing clubs across the Highlands in particular is working.
"I think we certainly need to get past Christmas to see how numbers are flowing. There is obviously a concern about the relaxations that have been allowed around Christmas and to see how that impacts.
“There is a clear route map to getting fans back into stadia and that is to get to level one.” The minister was also asked about the details of the £55 million package for sport announced last week, which includes £20m for Premiership clubs, £15m for rugby, and £10m for lower leagues. The women’s game will have access to the same £10m pot available to all semi-professional league clubs, including those in junior leagues and in the likes of the Lowland and Highland leagues, with support planned to reach around 200 men’s clubs.