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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy McGilvray

Fans' return to football set to be given green light 'within days'

Fans returning to stadiums for the SPFL play-off finals could be given the green light over the next 48 hours.

National clinical director Jason Leitch expects First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to make a decision on further loosening of Covid-19 restriction in the coming days, with a proposal that would allow 500 to attend a seated outdoor event without prior permission.

The Championship final on May 18 and 21, League One on May 17 and 20, and League Two on May 18 and 23 have been moved with this in mind.

Fans might also be allowed in to the Premiership play-off final on May 20 and 24, should the changes be rubber-stamped by the Scottish Government.

It is also expected that local authorities will have the power to grant larger attendances, should an application be successful.

Mr Leitch told BBC's Off the Ball: "There will be a crucial conversation, probably Sunday or Monday, with the incoming Government.

"There will be a conversation with the advisor and the First Minister in the next couple of days to help her with advice about her decision and the cabinet's decision about May 17.

"We would hope to announce the May 17 changes early this week and, all being well, that would include the ability to have seated outdoor events up to 500 people with no permission.

"You can then ask for more than 500 by seeking permission depending on the state of the pandemic in your local authority.

"You're unlikely to get that in Moray, for example, but you might get in Dumfries where there's very few cases.

"Three weeks later, June 7, that no permission limit moves to 1000 and you can seek permission from the local authority to have a bigger event."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video

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