...but SRU aren’t taking no fans for an answer
THE SRU are still pressing ahead with plans to have supporters back before the end of the year despite the Scottish Government hitting the pause button yesterday. Scottish Rugby chiefs have lodged an application to allow 5,000 fans into Pro14 league matches involving Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors and 15,000 into Scotland games at BT Murrayfield. The new Pro14 season starts in just two weeks’ time, while four international matches are due to be held at the national stadium over the last three months of this year. There will be no supporters at any stadia for at least the next three weeks. Prime Minister Boris Johnson highlighted a worst-case scenario of six months before current restrictions are lifted, while First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon halted the process of a phased return of fans as she announced new measures to tackle the rise in coronavirus cases yesterday.
Scottish Rugby are desperate to offset some of their financial losses by getting supporters back in quickly, having had a successful pilot event at the recent Edinburgh-Glasgow derby at the national stadium. And they believe the Scottish Government can be convinced to give them the go-ahead.
Scottish Rugby’s optimistic outlook is in stark contrast to their counterparts south of the border.
The RFU are pleading for a Government bailout, with the union braced to miss out on £138million with no crowds likely to fill grounds for the foreseeable future.
In an astonishing statement, chief executive Bill Sweeney said: ‘We understand the difficult balance government faces in controlling the spread of the virus while enabling parts of society and the economy to remain open.
‘We all need to follow the advice given and play our part in helping to get the virus under control. No crowds at Twickenham for the Autumn Quilter Internationals, the Premiership in October or the Championship and community game will, however, have severe consequences for the sport in England across all levels.
‘With no fans this autumn, we will see a £122m reduction in revenue resulting in a loss of £46m and with no fans for the Guinness Six Nations we will see a £138m reduction in revenue with a loss of £60m, thereby preventing investment in areas such as the women’s elite game and community rugby. Premiership and Championship clubs will face significant financial hardship.
‘From the outset, we have been clear that an autumn without crowds would leave us with little choice but to approach government for financial help.
‘Unfortunately, we are now in that position. Without support, we are in danger of clubs at the heart of communities across England, as well as players and volunteers, disappearing forever.’
Scotland may now have to play their remaining Six Nations match against Wales behind closed doors in a Welsh regional ground, rather than in front of fans in London.
They look set now to use a Welsh stadium such as Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli.
Meanwhile, Premier Sports will show Glasgow and Edinburgh’s games on the first weekend of the new Pro14 season on Saturday, October 3.
Glasgow travel to play Connacht at 5pm, while Edinburgh take on the Ospreys at Murrayfield at 7.40pm.
TAVISH SCOTT, the SRU’s head of external affairs, is leaving the job after 17 months to become chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation.