One metre will make a huge difference to future of sport says SRU boss

GORDON PARKS

MARK DODSON crunched the numbers and admitted an arm’s length could become the margin between financial life or death for sport in our nation.

The SRU chief executive attempted to put a positive spin on the implications this pandemic has had for the likes of rugby and football and the havoc it continues to wreak during lockdown.

With Government guidelines over a phased return to competitive action being a changing game due to the uncertainty over coronavirus infection rates, an August 1 start to the season for football appears optimistic.

Last night Boris Johnson and his scientific advisers refused to reduce the social distancing measurement rules down from two to one metre which is in force in Denmark, France and Hong Kong.

But Dodson is adamant that the 100 centimetre margin is the world of difference in an attempt to unlock sport from being played behind closed doors.

He said: “It’s not an exact science but two metres makes it very difficult to get more than 10,000 people into Murrayfield but you could probably get up to 30,000 into the stadium with social distancing being relaxed.

“It can be done but it will depend on the level of social distancing that has to take place.

“If it’s two metres, that really does restrict the crowd you can get in but if you reduce the levels to one-and-a-half or one metre then the crowd capacity goes up and revenue can be earned.

“That’s why all you’re hearing is around how long social distancing has to be in place. We’re committed to whatever we do, doing it safely. We’ll be led by the Government.”

Scotland’s national clinical director Jason Leitch believes some grounds could be up to a quarter full when crowds are initially allowed back into sports events.

It’s further complicated with the requirements which need to be g.parks@dailyrecord.co.uk met over coronavirus testing for club players and staff and Murrayfield is being put forward as a “bio bubble” for both Hearts and Hibs to use in their bid to return to competitive action.

Dodson’s enthusiasm to engage in a partnership with Edinburgh’s big two clubs is all about being practical and helping all sports to get back on their feet as quickly and safely as possible.

He said: “The Hibs-Hearts thing is because of the locality of it.

“They’ve understood this could be the best way they can get the game running again.

“In our discussions with the

Government, we’ve been saying if we can help sport be established again in Scotland as quickly and safely as we can, we’re happy to have a conversation with anybody and every sport because there’s few places that have the tramstop, car parking and the space we have being the biggest stadium in Scotland.

“We can probably deal with social distancing better than anywhere else. So our view is this is something we are happy to talk about.

“There are further talks to be had on it soon.”

Dodson cites social distancing issues as the fine line which determine Scottish Rugby’s immediate future as he revealed Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh players will resume training next week.

And he holds out hope of having autumn Tests, a Six Nations conclusion and a New Nations League all taking place this year.

He said: “The most welcome sign of change is that from June 22, we have invited our players to return to Murrayfield subject to restrictions being lifted and going into phase two on June 18, to come in for individual training.

“The Glasgow and Edinburgh players have been invited to voluntary fitness sessions, making sure that we keep players fit for a presumed return to contact rugby at the end of August, early