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The Scottish government has been warned that the future of football in the country is threatened during talks confirming that the return of the sport is some distance away.
Sports agencies were told the goal is still to stop the spread of Covid-19, but sports minister Joe FitzPatrick declared the conference call “constructive” and promised more meetings to discuss a “gradual return.”
However, Scottish Professional Football League executive director Neil Doncaster warned that government financial support was needed with the game in “grave danger.”
FitzPatrick joined Scottish National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch in listening to concerns from the SPFL, the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Rugby Union, Sport Scotland and Scottish Racing.
While English football is working for a possible return in June after talks with the UK Government, Scottish football representatives have noted that September is the most ambitious goal and there is concern that fans will not be allowed on the ground. next season.
Doncaster said after the meeting: “We gave the minister a frank summary of the existential crisis facing our game. Receipts make up a much larger proportion of our income than in England, which benefits from great television deals, so until we return to play in front of the crowds, our game will remain in grave danger.
“It was encouraging to hear the minister recognize the social and health benefits of football in Scotland, which generates hundreds of millions of pounds a year for the Scottish economy.”
Not being able to play in front of crowds will have a crippling effect on Scottish play, says Neil Doncaster.
“As sport is a delegated responsibility, we will continue to be guided by Scottish government health experts on when we can resume the matches, but that seems far away.”
“We have already seen the UK government pledging £ 16 million support to the Rugby League in England to prevent it from being devastated by Covid-19.”
“The longer we can’t play matches in Scotland, the more essential significant financial support will be for our struggling national sport.”
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FitzPatrick did not secure financial support immediately after the meeting, but promised to continue working closely with sports agencies.
The Dundee City West MSP said in a statement: “Everyone involved in these discussions recognizes the importance of sport to many people in Scotland and wants it to resume as soon as possible.”
“We all agree that that can only happen once it is safe to do so, and the focus at this point should be to continue measures to stem the spread of the virus, protect the NHS, and save lives.”
“It is important that all organizations continue to share best practices and information, as well as learn from other countries, as we have to develop a gradual return to sport that reflects Scotland’s circumstances.”
“I am encouraged by today’s constructive initial conversations and I am confident that further partnership work will allow that to happen safely and at the right time.”
“The group will maintain an open dialogue in the coming weeks to share any relevant information and discuss phased return options.”
SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said he was “encouraged” by government input.
“We outlined the pragmatic steps we believe can help safeguard the survival of our clubs in the short term, and in the coming weeks help clubs break out of the running of the bulls and begin the process of preparing for the reintroduction of football,” added Maxwell.
“We also reiterate that the fans who attend the matches is a fabric of Scottish football, and is an integral part of the match day experience and future viability of the sport.”
Dominic McKay of SRU said the meeting was encouraging
The Scottish Rugby Union described the meeting as “positive”.
SRU Chief Operating Officer Dominic McKay added: “This is an encouraging first meeting that generated constructive dialogue and a timely opportunity to collaborate with other sports.”
“We would appreciate the opportunity to meet again and agree to share any relevant information and lessons we have both with the Scottish Government and with other sports to help progress at this time.”
Dominic Raab says return of sport can boost nation’s morale
The return of sport ‘would lift the spirit of the nation
Speaking during the UK government briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said ministers are watching sports being played behind closed doors in the second phase of the coronavirus response.
“I think it would lift the spirit of the nation. I think people would like to see us return not only to work and come to a stage where children can safely return to school, but also enjoy some of those hobbies, in particularly sport, “Raab said.
2:00 Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab insists that doctors and scientists will dictate when competitive football can return behind closed doors in the UK.
“I know that the government has had constructive meetings with sports organizations to plan for athletes to resume training when it is safe to do so.”
“I can tell you that the Secretary of Culture (Oliver Dowden) has also been working on a plan to play sports behind closed doors when we moved into the second phase, that’s something I can tell you that we are seeing.”
“Whether it is a combination of testing, tracking, tracing, and other measures of social distancing within what is possible within a sports setting, we want to see if behind closed doors what are the options for doing so.”
Scotland captain Andy Robertson draws inspiration from the disinterest of the NHS staff
Scottish football teams make donations from the NHS
Scotland’s men’s and women’s national soccer teams have teamed up to make a substantial donation to NHS Charities Together to support frontline workers in Scotland and the UK.
Captains Andy Robertson and Rachel Corsie have teamed up to recognize the efforts of nurses, doctors, physicians, volunteers, and support staff who are working hard to keep the nation safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liverpool side Robertson said: “We have all been home, following the advice of medical advisers and watching the news highlighting the heroic efforts of our NHS. We have all been inspired by the disinterest of nurses, doctors and all workers of health in the first line: it only reinforces the importance of the NHS for our country and how we should appreciate and protect this institution.
“Across the team, we have players with friends and family involved in the NHS, so when the idea came up in the WhatsApp group chat, it was obvious and unanimously the right thing. Rachel and the national women’s team had similar conversations and I’m I am proud to show our solidarity with the wonderful NHS staff in Scotland and across the UK. On behalf of the men’s national team, I say ‘thank you’ to everyone. “
Scotland captain Corsie added: “Like Andy and the men’s team, we realized that any money owed to us for the privilege of playing for our country would be better collected and used to help the country’s fight. against COVID-19 and especially to support the incredible efforts of our frontline NHS staff and those who support them.
“On behalf of the national women’s team, we are proud to contribute in our own small way and proud of our NHS in Scotland.”
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