Sport can’t play politics for profit at risk of safety
WE’RE closer to finding the Loch Ness monster than a Covid-19 vaccine.
Has Scottish sport taken collective leave of its senses? The SRU have asked the Scottish government to look at reducing social-distancing for outdoor events from two metres to one.
Under current guidelines, fewer than 10,000 would be allowed to attend events at the 67,000-capacity Murrayfield, while a relaxation would allow 34,000 in the doors.
Let’s face it, with chief executive Mark Dodson earning £933,000 last year, including a bonus of £478,000, they clearly need the revenue.
The calls from the SRU would surely be echoed by our leading clubs, particularly the Old Firm – and it’s surely no coincidence a 34,000 attendance at the home of rugby would allow all Hearts and Hibs seasonticket holders to see their favourites in action.
The World Health Organisation website has been plundered for evidence to back the call and, true enough, they recommend the public maintain a distance of at least one metre.
However, in the next sentence it warns to “avoid going to crowded places. Why? Where people come together in crowds, you are more likely to come into close contact with someone that has Covid-19”.
Rugby – and football – can’t have it all their own way and play sporting politics for profit at the risk of public safety.
MSP Neil Findlay asked a hugely pertinent question in the Scottish Parliament this week, which was effectively blanked by health minister Joe FitzPatrick.
Why was the RangersBayer Leverkusen game allowed to go ahead on March 12 in front of almost 50,000 fans at Ibrox, including 1000 visitors from the worst affected area of Germany?
He also demanded to know why Scotland were allowed to take on France in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on March 8, 12 days after a coronavirus outbreak at a Nike conference in the capital.
According to Professor Tim Spector, who runs the Covid-19 symptom study at King’s College London, Liverpool’s Champions League clash at Anfield against Atletico Madrid the night before the Ibrox match directly contributed to coronavirus hotspots.
Ditto England’s south west after Cheltenham.
FitzPatrick’s response was, effectively, a shrug of the shoulders and a comment the Scottish
It would be reckless to play a conscious role in a second wave
Government don’t hold information on those who attended the game.
Yes, but Rangers and the SRU did. The lack of joined-up thinking should give serious pause for thought. It would be reckless of sport to play a conscious role in exacerbating a second wave of the virus.
In an old music hall joke a wife declares her Tartan Army husband loves Scotland more than her. Somewhat the worse for wear, he replies: “Listen hen, I love England more than I love you.”
Too many vulnerable people in our society remain susceptible to the ravages of Covid-19.
Let’s not love football and rugby more than we love their chances of fitness and health.
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