New rules will go into effect on Boxing Day and will impact holiday soccer games.
Comments Winter Break Accelerated (Andrew Milligan / PA) (PA Archive)
High-level clubs have been discussing the implications of the new restrictions introduced by the Scottish government in an attempt to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
New rules go into effect on Boxing Day and impact holiday football matches, which include top-notch derbies in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee in the early days of 2022.
They will also affect the double game between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship.
Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that public events would be limited to 200 indoors and 500 outdoors, admitting that she would host soccer matches “effectively without spectators.”
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The Premiership will close for three weeks starting January 3 with top teams returning to action in the Scottish Cup on the fourth weekend of the year.
To speed up the break, the clubs and the Scottish Professional Football League would also need to reach an agreement with Sky Sports, which will screen four games before the break, including the Rangers’ trip to Celtic Park on January 2.
Celtic and Rangers are already facing an interruption to next week’s matches after Covid-struck St Mirren requested postponements of games against both Glasgow teams.
A statement from Celtic read: “In light of today’s announcement regarding the fans who will attend the games, Celtic can confirm that today it has requested that the SPFL advance the scheduled winter break and reschedule the games affected by the announced regulations.
“The game owes it to the fans to explore every opportunity to maximize the possibility that all fans can attend the games and support the game they love.”
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Celtic and Rangers to meet on January 2 (Jane Barlow / PA) (PA File)
Aberdeen outlined the financial implications of playing behind closed doors.
“The matches at Pittodrie during the festive period are traditionally very crowded and are a vital source of income for the club, particularly given the challenges it has already faced in the previous two years,” read a statement from Dons.
These latest restrictions are likely to cost the club up to half a million pounds.
“While the safety of our fans, and our community at large, is of the utmost importance, this afternoon’s news is a serious blow to everyone at Aberdeen FC and to the clubs in Scotland.
“We are working hard behind the scenes with other clubs and the SPFL to navigate these new restrictions and will bring more clarity to supporters and corporate clients as soon as possible.”
Speaking just before the announcement, Celtic, St Johnstone and Aberdeen coaches spoke in favor of bringing the winter break forward.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou said: “I don’t like football played behind closed doors. We had a season in Japan, I just didn’t enjoy it. It becomes a different game, a different environment for the players’.
St Johnstone coach Callum Davidson said: “Obviously we want the games to go as far as possible, but personally I prefer that the fans go through the door and have a winter break.
But you don’t really know the severity of Covid three weeks from now. That is the only problem. We could end up being six weeks.
Aberdeen coach Stephen Glass said: “If it was played in front of very limited fans, of course I’d rather not play and play in front of a large crowd in those games, 100 percent.”
The Scottish Rugby Union is committed to working closely with government and public health officials.
“We will continue to be in close contact with the Scottish government and take all mitigation measures we can to ensure a return to unrestricted access to the stadium as soon as possible,” a statement read.
Sturgeon previously explained the rationale behind the new limits.
“First, we know that Omicron’s much higher transmissibility means that large concentrations have the potential to become very rapid super-spreading events, putting large numbers of people at risk of becoming infected very quickly,” He said. He said.
“Limiting these events helps reduce the risk of widespread transmission. It also reduces the transmission risks associated with travel to and from these events.
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“And second, and this is not an insignificant point, these large events place an additional burden on the emergency services, especially the police and ambulance services.
“At a time when these services are already under great pressure and also dealing with large numbers of staff absences, limiting events will help them focus on delivering essential services to the public.”
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