Boris Johnson said yesterday he expects crowds to be allowed back into English football grounds from October.
The PM’s announcement has piled pressure on the Scottish Government to follow their lead and reopen stadiums north of the Border.
Football fans in Scotland are hoping to be able to return in time for the national team’s Euro 2020 play-off against Israel on October 8 and the first Old Firm clash of the season, nine days later.
However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and clinical director Jason Leitch put a dampener on those hopes earlier this month by saying that supporters may not be allowed in to stadiums until November.
But with figures showing just one Covid-19 death in more than a week, and Scottish clubs desperately seeking a financial lifeline, there are increasing calls for the Scottish Government to lift restrictions.
At a press briefing yesterday, Johnson said the UK Government was working towards crowds returning after some test events.
The World Snooker Championships, the Glorious Goodwood horseracing festival and two county cricket friendlies will pilot the return of spectators in England.
The PM said: “We will pilot larger gatherings in venues such as sports stadia with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn.
“All of these measures, for August 1, should be done in a Covid-secure way.
“From October, we intend to bring back audiences in stadia and allow conferences and other business events to recommence. These changes must be done in a Covid-secure way subject to the successful outcome of pilots.”
Leading figures in Scottish football, such as Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell have pleaded with Sturgeon for fans to be allowed to return.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Record last month, Lawwell called on the Scottish Government to ease restrictions.
He doubled down on that call in a statement last night.
It read: “We have discussed the idea of ‘pilot’ games with the Scottish Government and believe it provides a safe, sensible way forward.
“As a club, we have put enormous thought and effort into making Celtic Park fully compliant with all public health-related requirements while allowing our supporters to return to watching football.
“It is acknowledged that Scottish football has been exemplary in implementing all the safeguards required of it, first to get back into training and, from August 1, to playing competitive SPFL matches.
“We are convinced this should now be accompanied by a phased return of spectators. This would be good not only for football but also for public health and morale in Scotland.
“Scottish clubs are much more dependent on matchday revenues than other, larger leagues.
“That factor should be taken account of, so long as the public health obligations are met, to which we are entirely committed.
“We also have an obligation to our own supporters to make the case for them to be allowed to watch live football, particularly when they can see the steady progress towards this in other European leagues.
“Alongside other sporting bodies, Celtic will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the Scottish Government and look forward to early progress.”
