Indoor football centre gets go-ahead to open

A DUNDEE indoor football facility has been told it can safely operate despite others across Scotland being barred from welcoming customers.

Five-a-side centre Soccerworld, on Old Glamis Road, has been told by the council matches can go ahead but only if players avoid contact with each other.

Current rules state young people – aged 12-and-over – and adults are only permitted to play organised contact sport such as football outdoors.

The centre’s management say the “unique” design of the building has caused confusion but they are adamant the conditions are akin to an outdoor setting.

Greg Keir, general manager at Soccerworld Dundee, said: “The centre is essentially outdoors.

“It has a canopy roof which is like a beer garden gazebo and the temperature is the same as outside.

“We are doing everything we are asked to do by the council but, as yet, nobody can say definitively whether we should be classed as outdoor or indoor.”

The Scottish Government say only non-contact sport and activity is permitted in indoor facilities for young people and adults.

Children aged 11-andunder are permitted to play organised contact sport both indoors and outdoors.

Mr Keir said the centre had initially reopened as an outdoor venue with full contact but agreed to switch to non-contact last week.

He said he is hopeful the Scottish Government and Dundee City Council will agree to recommence full contact games soon after looking at more evidence.

He added: “The council have been brilliant, I have to say. I’ve been on the phone and emails to them every day.

“It’s not an easy situation for anyone just now. We are making sure everyone who comes to play knows it is non-contact. Our facility is unbelievably safe and secure.”