Hampden seats for some lucky Saintees
A limited number of St Johnstone fans are set to be at Hampden next week for the club’s Scottish Cup Final tie with Hibs.
UEFA has given the go ahead for fans to attend despite the stadium needing to be prepared for Euro 2020 matches, when around 12,000 fans will be present.
And the stadium safety advisory group for Hampden Park is now considering an “appropriate attendance”.
The SFA asked the Scottish Government earlier this week for approval to let in more than the 500 spectators permitted in level two of coronavirus restrictions.
An SFA spokesperson said this week: “We are grateful to UEFA for removing the condition that required the final to be played behind closed doors, after the postponement of the tie from May 8 to 22 due to the suspension of football during the second wave of the pandemic.
“We are pleased that UEFA has now agreed to a proposed solution prior to Hampden Park hosting four matches, each in front of 12,000 supporters, as part of UEFA EURO 2020.
“We await a positive response from the Scottish Government and will communicate final confirmation of maximum supporter numbers with Hibernian and St Johnstone as soon as possible to enable ticket sales to proceed.”
In response, the Scottish Government outlined that the deision to increase capacity will lie with the local authority, in this case Glasgow City
Council.
“Restricted numbers of supporters will be permitted from May 17 in areas that are in level two or below,” they said.
“In areas under level two restrictions up to 500 fans can attend stadiums, this increases to 1000 for areas that move to level one.
“It will be for the Scottish FA to take decisions about supporter attendance at the cup final, and the stadium in which it takes place.
“The footballing authorities can apply to the relevant local authority for special permission for increased numbers, with two metres physical distancing.”
The stadium safety advisory group for Hampden Park is chaired by Glasgow City Council and includes representation from the stadium and the emergency services.
The council’s licensing and building standards teams also sit on the group.
A council spokesperson said: “The stadium safety advisory group for Hampden Park has met to discuss what might be an appropriate attendance at this year’s Scottish Cup Final in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“These discussions are at an early stage, but the group will seek to reach a conclusion as soon as possible.”