December 21, (THEWILL) – Nicola Sturgeon has announced that football matches in Scotland will be “effectively spectator-free” for three weeks starting on Boxing Day.
On Tuesday, the First Minister told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament that crowds at outdoor public events in Scotland will be regulated at 500 for at least three weeks starting on Boxing Day.
The limits will be implemented as the Omicron COVID-19 variation spreads over the world.
“This will, of course, make sports matches, including football, effectively spectator-free over this three-week period.
“And it will also mean that large-scale Hogmanay celebrations, including that planned here in our capital city, will not proceed.
“I know how disappointing this will be for those looking forward to these events, and for the organisers of them,” Sturgeon said.
In the meantime, starting on Boxing Day, football matches in Wales will be played behind closed doors.
Due to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron version, the Welsh government has announced that all indoor and outdoor sporting events in the country will be held without spectators. There is no set end date for the development.
Cardiff City and Swansea City are the two Championship clubs affected.
Yet, the continuous COVID-19 disruption aside, on Monday, the English Premier League and EFL clubs agreed to keep their festive fixtures, as THEWILL reported.
Despite the fact that 90 positive COVID-19 tests were returned by Premier League players and club employees last week, the decision was made to make no changes to the fixtures.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
