The Celtic support are in for a pleasant surprise after domestic football resumes on October 16th. News has broke that the Joint Response Group have agreed to relax protocol inside the stadium – meaning an end to red zones that have hampered season ticket holders since August.
The SPFL are to relax the rules on social distancing and away fans, due to the success of the vaccination programme. Hospitality, training grounds and travel will be at the discretion of the clubs in the Scottish League. Red zones have become quite the predicament at Celtic Park, as many season ticket holders were forced to relocate from their original seat – many having sat in the same seat for years – to the away end at Paradise. This, in turn, meant that away support was not possible to facilitate for the Club.
The rules have been the cause of much consternation amongst football supporters in Scotland. Only last week, Hearts complained about the rules keeping fans out of a potential trip to Ibrox after the international break, with Celtic having no fans in attendance during the last encounter with the Newco. That could all be about to end however, as the Joint Response Group have amended the Return to Play Protocols. The statement reads: “On August 9 this year, the legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings were removed as the country entered Level 0, resulting in clubs being able to play in front of more fans and, subject to local authority approval, at full capacity.
“With the country’s vaccination programme now at an advanced stage, and citizens now familiar with the day-to-day baseline mitigation measures that remain in place (such as the mandatory use of face coverings in indoor public places and on public transport), the Joint Response Group believes it is now appropriate for clubs to make their own business decisions based on their own risk assessments.
“This is in part due to the success of the national vaccination programme, but also in recognition of the expertise and experience of clubs in complying with the government’s existing guidance.
“One key area for clubs to consider, based on their own risk assessment, is the continued adherence to protocols requiring physical distancing in all training and matchday settings – including but not limited to changing rooms, travel, overnight stays, and technical areas – as well as matchday Red Zones.
“The reason such protocols have remained in place is to mitigate instances where a positive test is returned and close-contact identification is carried out by the government-appointed Elite Sports Clinical Advisory Group.
“Given that anyone within two metres is considered by Scottish Government as a close contact, the requirement for Red Zones has continued within Scottish football and JRG protocols as a mitigation measure, not least to avoid widespread close contacts jeopardising clubs’ ability to fulfil fixtures.
“Now that vaccination rates have increased considerably in the age cohort of professional footballers, with mandatory distancing removed from indoor and outdoor events by Scottish Government, and with many clubs keen to remove Red Zones to facilitate the attendance of more home and away supporters, the JRG considers the subject of physical distancing to be an area for clubs to determine through their own risk assessment.
“The requirement to have a Red Zone will no longer be mandatory but the JRG protocols are still available to use, should clubs wish to continue to implement them.’
With Celtic fans eager for a return to normality, this is a welcome bonus arriving at just the right time. Parts of the stadium being subjugated is not ideal, whilst the continual inconvenience of protocols has disrupted many of the fans’ routines and rituals on match days. Matchday revenues have also suffered as a result of protocol, and the relaxing of these rules will ensure the Club will have extra revenue streams after coming through a very challenging period for society in general. The JRG added: ‘Should any club wish to continue with 2m physical distancing measures on match days, this must be accommodated by the home clubs as per the existing protocols. Clubs are asked to discuss and agree match day arrangements as far in advance of the fixture as possible.
“Clubs who are currently testing should continue to do so and highlight any positive cases as normal. Clubs should also be aware that in the event of any outbreaks or spikes in positive cases, the JRG reserves the right to reintroduce physical distancing requirements.
“The JRG will remain on-hand for any help and advice and trusts clubs to continue to take a responsible approach to adhering to football protocols and Scottish Government guidelines, especially in any relaxation of physical distancing.’
This news will be recieved well by the Parkhead powerbrokers. But, most of all, loyal supporters will be able to sit in the seats they have been starved of for so long. Finally, all the expenditure that has been very taxing for many will be worth the money.
A return home for all Celtic fans!
Paul Gillespie
However it should be noted that while normal service will resume with regards to admitting away supporters to Celtic – and this is a vey good thing indeed – the one major exception will be on 2 January when theRangers fans will receive ZERO tickets For Celtic Park as a direct result of their new club’s stupidity surrounding the match at the end of August when they issued Celtic with 750 tickets then cancelled them because they claimed Celtic failed to give them the necessary guarantee that away fans would be allowed to attend that game. They were unhappy with Celtic insisting that this would happen subject to prevailing Covid restrictions that could be imposed on the game at the time.
So it will be 60,000 Celtic fans at the Glasgow Derby on 2 January 2022 and zero theRangers fans. Clear?
