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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Celtic and Rangers in Europa League boost as scrapped away day ban raises Seville and Prague hopes

Celtic and Rangers fans could finally get the go ahead to watch their team abroad in the Europa League again.

UEFA's Covid-19 enforced ban on away supporters in their competitions is set to be scrapped and could signal the return of away days on the continent.

Both Scottish Premiership sides have qualified for the group stage with fixtures set to commence later in September.

But all matches will remain subject to local rules and restrictions.

Celtic open their campaign away to Real Betis on Thursday, September 16 and travellers from the UK can enter the country with proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test.

But, unlike in Scotland, stadia cannot yet open to full capacity.

Local authorities in Spain were last week given permission to increase attendance limits from 40 per cent to 60 per cent but it's not yet been confirmed if away supporters will receive an allocation for Celtic 's return to Seville.

Betis' Benito Villamarín Stadium holds 60,721 spectators and under the latest regulations can open for a maximum of 36,432.

On returning to the UK, fans would be required to pay for PCR testing with Spain still on the amber travel list - unless changes are made over the next 10 days.

Rangers begin their group stage at home to Lyon, with a first away coming against Sparta Prague on September 30.

Fully vaccinated travellers can enter the Czech Republic without needings to isolate or take a pre-departure PCR test - but as with Spain the country is also on the amber list.

And Sparta's Letná Stadium is still operating at reduced capacity with restrictions ongoing.

Just over 6,000 supporters were in attendance for their last home match in the 18,944 capacity arena on August 28.

Sparta are also facing punishment from UEFA after Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni was allegedly racially abused by the Czech side's fans during a Champions League qualifier against Monaco on August 3.

If found guilty, a partial stadium closure could be imposed on the club for Rangers' visit.

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