Scottish football fans have been told there is no immediate prospect of them being allowed back in grounds in greater numbers.
SNP sports minister Joe Fitzpatrick today ruled out increasing the agreed number of supporters in stadiums above the current limit of 300.
It's a fresh blow for clubs north of the border, with some facing financial meltdown as their main source of income is cut off.
Under the Scottish Government's lockdown framework, clubs based in council areas placed at level 0 or level 1 can allow in very limited numbers of spectators.
But football bosses have warned the 300 capacity limit does little to help teams finanically.
Highland clubs Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle are the only two professional teams able to welcome supporters under current lockdown levels.
Scotland is now at odds with the UK Government position after Boris Johnson announced clubs based in areas with the least infections could allow up to 4,000 fans back in grounds.
In a letter to MSPs on Holyrood's sports committee published today, Fitzpatrick said: "Given that the situation with the virus remains fragile – with many cases and continuing pressure on the NHS – we are taking a cautious approach, based on a maximum of 300 spectators initially.
"In terms of football, rugby etc, a maximum of 300 supporters are allowed in areas with level zero and level one restrictions.
"We are considering how and when this figure may increase – but it is important to emphasise there is no immediate prospect of an increase given the fragile situation with the virus.
"We have no plans to extend admission to supporters in level two or level three areas."
Yesterday, SPFL boss Neil Doncaster wrote to Nicola Sturgeon and requested an emergency meeting on fan-free football.
He said: "Scottish football fans are the most passionate in Europe, with more league attendances per capita than any other country, so our clubs have been hit far harder by the lock-out than those in England because we depend much more heavily on gate receipts."
