SO WHAT NOW FOR OUR NATIONAL SPORT?
WHAT DID FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON SAY YESTERDAY?
‘It’s important that I indicate, in light of the current situation, that the route map changes with an indicative date of October 5 are unlikely now to go ahead on that timescale.’
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
The First Minister did not specifically mention football in her address to the Scottish Parliament yesterday. But her words relate to an indicative date of October 5 that had been earmarked for the start of a phased reintroduction of spectators to live sporting events at Scottish grounds. That date had already been pushed back by three weeks from September 14 due to rising cases of coronavirus. But fears of a temporary postponement to the football season as part of coronavirus ‘circuit breaker’ measures failed to materialise yesterday — although it remains an option.
SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The Premiership will continue behind closed doors. Test events had been held at two top-flight matches but further pilots with supporters in grounds are on hold with the situation to be reviewed again in three weeks (October 13). That means Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-off against Israel at Hampden on October 8 will be staged in front of no fans. Likewise, the visit of Slovakia to Glasgow in the Nations League on October 11 will now be behind closed doors. And, almost certainly, the Czech Republic game in the same competition on October 14 will also be in an empty National Stadium. In addition, it seems unfeasible that the first Old Firm match of the new season, between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead on October 17, will have any fans in attendance. October 17 is also the date of the new Championship, League One and League Two campaigns kicking off, meaning lower league clubs also face starting the new season in empty stadia. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday that restrictions in England’s sporting stadia could remain in place for six months, meaning football down south will play most of the season behind closed doors. Sturgeon says that may not be the case in Scotland. However, there are real fears that the new raft of Covid-19 restrictions announced yesterday could see fans locked out of Scottish grounds for up to six months.
I CAN GO TO A TINY PUB AND SIT INSIDE WITH OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE NEARBY, SO WHY CAN’T I SOCIALLY DISTANCE OUTSIDE AT A FOOTBALL MATCH WITH A REDUCED CAPACITY?
The experts believe the issue with attending sporting events is not necessarily the game itself but the whole experience, from leaving your house to returning. That includes your journey to and from the venue, including public transport, queueing to get into the game, your walk to your seat and any interactions while there — including visiting food outlets and going to the toilet.
WHICH CLUBS WILL BE HIT HARDEST BY THE LACK OF FANS?
It’s quite simple. Those who rely on gate receipts to make up a large share of their revenue will be the hardest hit — and that, unfortunately, is Scottish clubs. Thanks to the size of television deals and the vast commercial riches on offer, the mega-rich English Premier League will not feel the impact as much as their counterparts north of the border. But a UEFA benchmark report from 2018 shows that Scottish Premiership clubs are three times more dependent on gate income than any other top league in Europe. Be in no doubt the situation is grave. Back in April, a month after lockdown, Hibs chief Leeann Dempster warned a ‘meteor’ was about to strike Scottish football. Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack continued that inflammatory rhetoric, predicting ‘financial armageddon’ as a result of the virus. Today, Sportsmail reports that the prolonged absence of fans from Scottish grounds could cost up to £50million. It goes without saying, the longer fans are not allowed back into stadia, the more fears will rise that the pandemic could push clubs to the brink.
IS THERE ANY GOOD NEWS?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson provided a tiny glimmer of light down south yesterday when he disclosed that the Chancellor and Culture Secretary would be looking at what they can do to support at-risk clubs.
Sportsmail’s understanding is that, with regards to professional men’s football, the English Premier League will be urged to agree a bailout loan with the EFL. Support packages for other clubs in other sports will be discussed but there is a feeling that the government cannot just throw money around. With the Westminster government working to support sport in England, the SFA and SPFL are watching closely and preparing a plea for a financial bailout from the Scottish Government. They are determined that Scottish clubs do not get left behind to face the grim financial consequences of the global pandemic.