CELTIC have backed the SPFL call for an immediate dialogue relating to the safe return of fans to stadiums. The Scottish game have lost £70m so far and Celtic have tonight issued a statement concurring with Neil Doncaster’s strong letter from the SPFL to the Scottish Government.
Doncaster asks for a meeting with Nicola Sturgeon to open dialogue about when supporters can return in a more realistic timetable that may help these financially stricken clubs that lose a colossal amount of revenue as each week goes by.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that between 2000-4000 supporters would be able to return to stadiums next mind depending on their respective Tier relating to COVID-19 infections. With the news that Vaccines Released on the club website tonight, the statement included links to the letter to FM Nicola Sturgeon as well as the statement from the SPFL.
“Celtic FC understands that COVID-19 presents significant challenges for people, businesses and sectors across Scotland, including football, and that responding to those challenges whilst protecting health and safety will involve striking a difficult balance of a number of factors and considerations.
“As we have made clear, the Club is committed to working with the football authorities and the Scottish Government to welcome supporters back to football as quickly and as safely as possible. From the work that we have carried out with our supporters, we know how important that is to them, too.
“We therefore fully support the SPFL’s request for an urgent meeting with the First Minister to discuss the safe return of supporters to stadia in Scotland as soon as possible.”
Last month, photos emerged of the SpectrumX walk-through technology making its way to Celtic Park in order to make it safe for supporters to see the Scottish Champions in action again. This equipment would allow the club to hasten the return of fans. This is just an example of the expenses that clubs have incurred as they try and wrestle back a significant portion of their income.
Hopefully the Scottish Government will see sense and allow supporters to enter grounds in small numbers initially to test the viability and safety of the procedures that they spent a fortune installing. Fans across Europe have been allowed back, even in small numbers; however, Celtic fans must await the all clear from the Scottish Government that insist on dragging their heels. With that said, with a vaccine in sight, a stimulus package would tide Scottish Football over as they see millions being invested into the other financially stricken sports in UK.