Petrie welcomes UEFA decision to admit supporters
Rod Petrie has voiced his delight at confirmation of Hampden Park getting the green light to welcome 12,000 fans for Scotland’s Euro ties.
UEFA has officially signed off on plans that will see the Glasgow ground allowed to operate at 25% of its capacity for the country’s games against the Czech Republic on June 14 and Croatia eight days later.
The same Covidrestricted limit will also apply to the games between Croatia and the Czechs on June 18, and the knock-out tie on June 29. A decision on whether a proposed Fan Zone in the city gets the go-ahead is expected later in the month, but SFA president Petrie believes there is already plenty of cause for celebration.
“We are thankful to UEFA for recognising the efforts of our Local Organising Structure Glasgow partners in establishing a safe and manageable way in which supporters can attend the three group matches and Round of 16 tie at Hampden Park,” he said.
“I am also grateful to the Scottish Ministers and clinical experts for their assistance and ultimate approval in signing-off on the proposal that has been endorsed by UEFA.
“An enormous amount of effort has gone into the submission but also in ensuring Glasgow and Hampden Park is ready to welcome supporters, not least with Scotland having secured qualification. “We acknowledge UEFA’S timeline for ticket returns, and will communicate updates to Scotland fans at those key dates.”
There was further good news for the Tartan Army with Jason Leitch, Scotland’s clinical director, stating he was optimistic there would be no bar for fans from all over the country attending.
“I am very hopeful that travel inside Scotland will have been allowed quite a long time before this,” he said.
“The present release plan is that on April 26, we will move the levels, and there will be a decision at that point on travel. If we move, I am very confident travel will be allowed.”
Glasgow is one of eight of the 12 host cities to have so far given guarantees over fans being allowed inside stadia.
Of them, Budapest aims to be able to fill the ground to capacity, while St Petersburg will be allowed to host at least 34,000. London has confirmed a minimum capacity of 25% for its first four games – including the meeting with Scotland on June 18 – but hope to be able to increase the percentage for the semi-final and Final. Dublin, Rome, Munich and Bilbao have until Monday week to provide more details.