Motherwell boss Graham Alexander's bemusement over a Dundee United player first testing positive and then negative, and playing in the 2-1 home win at Fir Park in midweek has been clarified by the Scottish FA.
A statement issued by the governing body says it is a clinical evaluation, not a policy decision.
They say the Joint Response Group has met with Scottish Government ministers and clinical experts on a number of occasions since last March "to ensure that clubs can continue to comply with all government public health guidance and respond to changes that occur within the government's rolling period of public health restriction enforcement."
In the case presented at Fir Park in midweek, they said in a statement: "In the recent case of Dundee United's Premiership match against Motherwell, questions were asked by Motherwell regarding a United player and his eligibility to participate in the match.
"In cases such as this, where a club positive test is followed by an NHS negative test, it is for the [government's] Elite Sport Clinical Advisory Group (ESCAG) to review the specific circumstances of the case and determine whether the individual should be required to self-isolate or not.
"Prior to ESCAG, players were not permitted to play and had to self-isolate even in the knowledge of the subsequent negative NHS test.
"Now, such instances are reviewed by ESCAG on a case-by-case basis. The review is undertaken by expert clinicians with input from the player and club concerned, as well as local public health officials."
The statement continued: "We ask for patience and understanding of the bigger picture as we strive to keep Scottish football operating at a professional level amid a lingering and devastating global pandemic."
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