Highland fling for fans could be in the pipeline
Highland football fans look in pole position to be first to return to stadiums.
Scotland’s National Clinical Director, Professor Jason Leitch, remains hopeful that spectators can return soon, but warned the situation remains fragile.
From tomorrow, council areas in Scotland will be in one of five tiers, decided by the levels of Covid-19.
The Highlands and Moray are both in Tier 1, and the regulations permit limited crowds.
That could mean Ross County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Elgin City having fans in their grounds.
There is also the possibility of paying customers attending Highland League matches when they get under way.
Clubs in Aberdeenshire would not be allowed fans due to the region being placed into Tier 2.
Professor Leitch stated that talks had begun to decide how having spectators on a regular basis would operate.
He sai d : “We’ve a l re a d y started conversations. There are two places. There’s the professional leagues but there’s also the Highland League.
“Could we find a way of getting a few fans – probably locals, not travellers, no away fans – into those environments in a safe way?
“I’m very hopeful we’ll be able to, but the prevalence has to stay low.”
Only two Scottish Premiership games have been watched by fans this term.
One was Aberdeen v Kilmarnock , and the other was Ross County’s hosting Celtic in Dingwall.
County chairman Roy Macgregor has asked to stage a further trial with 750 fans when Livingston visit on Friday.
Leitch emphasised that factors other than getting people through turnstiles have to be considered.
He added: “As soon as you introduce a regional approach, you have to think about travel. That’s the big challenge.
“If you go from a high prevalence area, to a low prevalence area, you could potentially take the virus into that area.”
The Highland League season was scheduled to begin on October 17, but was delayed until fans are allowed to return.
They are now working towards a date of November 28.
At present, 11 clubs would, in theory, be permitted to allow fans into their grounds,but six Aberdeenshire clubs would not, as they are based in a Tier 2 area.