The return of fans to Scottish sports stadiums is delayed until at least 5 October



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Edinburgh v Glasgow at Murrayfield was the first Scottish sporting event with fans since closing
Edinburgh v Glasgow at Murrayfield was the first Scottish sporting event with fans since closing

The return of fans to Scottish sports stadiums has been delayed until 5 October at the earliest, Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced.

But two Scottish Premiership test events, Aberdeen v Kilmarnock and Ross County against Celtic, will take place on Saturday as scheduled.

Other potential drivers will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Up to 300 fans will be in attendance at both Pittodrie and Global Energy Stadium on Saturday, the first time fans have attended Scottish football matches since March.

Last month’s Pro14 meeting of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors, which drew 700 spectators in Murrayfield, is the only Scottish sporting pilot event held so far.

But the prospect of welcoming larger crowds this month is over, and the average daily rate of coronavirus cases for the week through yesterday rose to 55, from just 14 six weeks ago.

Sturgeon confirmed that Scotland is likely to remain in phase three of the lockdown restrictions “for some time yet.”

“The pandemic at this stage is accelerating again, albeit fortunately from a low base and not as rapidly as it was in March and April,” the prime minister said.

“We have concluded that these changes should be paused for three more weeks. The new indicative date for their resumption is Monday, October 5.

“However, I must emphasize that this is still an indicative date, a final decision can only be made closer to the moment.”

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