Queen of the South fans have been dealt a massive blow by new Scottish Government guidance.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the latest move to combat the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on Tuesday by capping large-scale outdoor gatherings at 500 people.
Queens will now play in front of roughly half of their normal crowd against Hamilton Accies on January 2 and Kilmarnock on January 8.
The move has angered football fans amid claims that the Scottish Government has yet to provide scientific evidence to justify the move.
When The Standard asked for data it was directed to an Omicron “evidence paper” which did not contain any specific scientific data regarding the risks of outdoor gatherings.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said: “A lot of fans will be disappointed and angry by this move and feel they are being scapegoated.
“The government told them to get vaccinated, get vaccine passports, get tested and wear a mask so they could attend matches. They did all that but are now singled out for restrictions. Perversely the limit of 500 may even hit clubs harder.
“They will have all the staffing costs that go with having fans at a game socially distanced, such as stewarding, but with only a small number of season tickets holders allowed in there will be no income for clubs on matchday.
“Given that more fans may gather in a pub to watch some big matches, like the Old Firm, I’m not sure this move will have the desired effect.”
Queens will open online ballots for season ticket holders for games in the coming days.
On Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said higher transmissibility of Omicron meant events could be “super-spreaders” and place emergency services under additional pressure.
She added: “The obligation of government is to take difficult decisions to keep the country safe, no matter how unpopular these decisions might be.
“I know how disappointing this will be for those looking forward to events and organisers.
“I would ask the public to understand the reasons for it.”
