Covid guidelines won’t be eased to let kids play again
SFA chiefs say controversial Covid guidelines which have left hundreds of youngsters locked out the game because they live on the wrong side of a health board boundary won’t be lifted.
Record Sport told on Saturday how devastated kids in the central belt had their big kick-off halted after Thursday’s SFA Joint Response Group update.
It stated under- 18s residing in any of the five “high-risk” areas must not leave that boundary to train or play – even if their club is based just a few hundred yards over a health board border.
The JRG guidance was drawn up after First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon called last Wednesday for residents in five areas in the central belt to avoid non-essential travel to other health boards.
And SFA bosses last night revealed an appeal for youth footballers to be exempt from those guidelines had been turned down by Holyrood.
A statement said: “The health and safety of all who participate in Scottish football is of the utmost priority to the Scottish FA.
“While we recognise the restrictions have a negative impact on some of our players, it is imperative that we all follow the latest government advice in order to reduce the impact of the ongoing pandemic.”
In the meantime, one football academy in Glasgow is offering to help.
The Sons of Struth Football Academy, who have up to 20 per cent of their own kids locked out, is offering to take local players who play for clubs in Lanarkshire or Ayrshire into their own set-up until restrictions are eased.