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THESE are the images from Celtic’s camp in Dubai that led Nicola Sturgeon to question the purpose of the trip.
The Prime Minister said the snapshots widely shared online “raised the question” of whether “all the rules about what elite players have to do are being adhered to within their bubbles around social distancing.”
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Neil Lennon’s team flew just hours after the Old Firm loss on Saturday at Ibrox, putting them 19 points behind the runaway leaders, the Rangers.
With the UAE on the current list of exempt travel, there is no requirement of 10 days of self-isolation upon return as it stands.
But photos of the Hoops stars chilling out at halftime have sparked ire among fans.
In one photo, Captain Lennon and his skipper, Scott Brown, were seen lounging on poolside loungers at Le Royal Meridien, pints of beer on the table between them.
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Other members of the backroom staff are also relaxing on the poolside loungers in the snap, which are understood to have been taken the day after the Old Firm defeat.
In another photo, several players are gathered around a table in the Royal Meridien bar.
The group, which includes Shane Duffy, Kris Ajer and Greg Taylor, are watching TV with empty glasses nearby.
Celtic was able to fly to the UAE as it has elite status to travel for work purposes, despite the vast majority of the country having Level 4 restrictions.
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The Dubai Health Authority advises city dwellers to “avoid close contact with people” and maintain a physical distance of “no less than two meters” from others.
But in both images, some of the stars and Hoops staff don’t appear to be six feet apart.
And Ms. Sturgeon said during her daily briefing that the trip should be “analyzed.”
The Prime Minister confirmed that she had seen Celtic’s statement about their camp, but said the Scottish government only provided “advice to the SFA” on elite training camps in November.
She added: “The world around the pandemic has changed quite a bit since November.
“We would not do it and it is not our role to approve, agree or disagree with what a football club does in terms of training grounds.”
“We established what the rules are. The rules may have to change due to the changing nature of the pandemic.
“Elite sports can go abroad for training camps if that is important in the context of their training for competitions.
I have also seen some photographs, and I can only comment on what I have seen, which would pose a question to me as to whether all the rules are being followed … about social distancing.
Nicola sturgeon
“That, as I understand it, is what we set as rules.”
But Sturgeon questioned the reasons behind the trip and said he had seen comments from the club that the camp was more for rest and relaxation, rather than training.
The SNP chief said: “For me, the question for Celtic, and I try to be a diplomat here, is not so much if they are abroad in a training camp.”
“Given the changing circumstances, that may not be appropriate in the future.
“That’s not really the question. What is the purpose of them being there?
“I’ve seen a comment from the club that says it’s more for R&R than training.”
The SNP chief added: “I have also seen some photographs, and I can only comment on what I have seen, which would raise a question for me as to whether all the rules on what elite players have to do inside their bubbles around the social distancing.
“There are things that should be analyzed.”
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The FM also said that all elite sports teams, many of whom have been able to play while most people have had so much restricted, should not abuse their position.
Yesterday, a Celtic spokesperson said: The training camp was organized several months ago and approved by all relevant football authorities and the Scottish government through the Joint Response Group on 12 November 2020.
“The team traveled before any new blockade was established, to a location exempt from travel restrictions. The camp, the same one we have undertaken for several years, has been fully risk-assessed.
“If the club had not received approval from the Scottish government, we would not have traveled.”
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