Why can’t restrictions end for lower-league weekend, too?

AN influential fans’ group are lobbying the Scottish Government to lift Covid crowd restrictions in time for this weekend’s lower-league football card. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced that regulations limiting attendances to 500 will be removed from Monday, when the Premiership returns from its winter break with the clash between Celtic and Hibs at Parkhead. But that ignores a full programme of Championship, League One and League Two fixtures, starting with Friday night’s clash between Championship high fliers Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock at Firhill.

Both Partick and Killie are fully behind moves by the Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) to bring back full houses before Monday as cash-strapped clubs look to recoup losses incurred during three weeks of limited crowds. Talks are planned with the Scottish Government this morning and last night SFSA chairman Andy Smith said: ‘A reprieve will make a huge financial difference to many of our smaller clubs and allow all their fans back and a normal Saturday in many communities. ‘Too often, Scottish football overlooks the smaller clubs and their supporters when making big decisions. This is a chance to make a statement that football in Scotland is more than just the Premier League. ‘This simple change will bring financial benefits to clubs and communities and is, we have been advised, low risk.’ Last night Iain McMenemy, chairman of League Two Stenhousemuir, criticised the ‘arbitrary’ nature of the decision to delay the lifting of restrictions until Monday.

He told Sportsmail: ‘Even if they had tried to offer lower-league clubs some give and take for this weekend that would have made sense. ‘I don’t know why they place these arbitrary dates on things. It’s moving in one direction and there’s not much going to change between the weekend and Monday. ‘Depending on who you are playing, you could be missing out on doubling the 500 crowd. ‘Because of various Covid rules already in place, we’re already not getting anything like 500 fans in anyway.’