The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Enjoy beers – but mind the cheers
Around 360,000 pints will be sunk during the match today – many hopefully in celebration – as Scotland take on the Czech Republic in their opening game of Euro 2020.
But fans are reminded to be cautious because of the worsening situation with Covid.
Landlords are under pressure to ensure rules are followed, with customers expected to remain seated at tables and to avoid shouting or singing.
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association, which predicted the amount of pints consumed during the game, still believes that figure will be 90,000 fewer that would have been the case in normal times.
As for younger fans, many schools will make their own decision on whether pupils can watch the match which kicks off at 2pm.
Scotland fans will buy 360,000 pints when Scotland play the Czech Republic in their opening match of Euro 2020, a trades body has predicted.
However, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) believes sales during the match will be almost 90,000 pints less than if the game against the Czech Republic was shown without coronavirus restrictions.
Overall, the trade association estimates 800,000 pints will be sold today in Scotland, with 360,000 of those being sold during the game itself.
Emma McClarkin, SBPA chief executive, said: “Nothing beats watching the football at the pub. We expect Scotland fans to buy 360,000 pints when in the pub watching Scotland play the Czech Republic.
“Unfortunately, the current restrictions on pubs do mean the experience isn’t going to be the same.”
Although hospitality venues are allowed to show the games the Scottish Government has issued guidelines for the tournament.
Stuart McPhee, the director of Siberia Bar and Hotel and the spokesman for the trade body Aberdeen Hospitality Together (AHT), said his venue will be showing the games with no sound or commentary.
He explained: “We’re making sure we keep things as controlled as possible, we’ve made sure that everyone who comes in at the timeslot of a game knows the rules, as with everybody who comes to the venue knows the rules. So, no singing, no cheering, stay seated at the tables,
order from the table and no wandering about.”
Mr McPhee is hopeful that in the event of guests celebrating a goal there will be some understanding, especially during the Scotland v England match given the epic nature of the fixture.
“It may happen, there’s a
certain degree of inevitability of the potential of celebrations in licensed premises and there shouldn’t really be any stigma or blowback on the licensed premises.”
Live sport can be shown on the premises. However, venues are not allowed to actively promote it or turn
it into an “event”. Fans may want to celebrate when goals are scored, but staff are expected to challenge customers who shout or sing. Premises are expected to display clear signage to inform their guests what the standards of behaviour are.
David Robertson, team
leader at environmental health, said: “We want all football supporters to enjoy Euro 2020 as safely as possible, so we’re issuing this advice to help hospitality owners understand the steps they need to take to ensure patrons can watch matches in safety.”