Aberdeen get green light for 5,665 supporters for Hacken game
Aberdeen City Council have granted the club permission to welcome even more fans back for their European tie next week.
Aberdeen City Council have given permission for Aberdeen to more than double the amount of fans being welcomed back to Pittodrie next Thursday.
The Dons host BK Hacken in a UEFA Europa League Conference tie.
By then we will be in Level 0 Covid restrictions, which mandates a maximum of 2,000 seated supporters.
But, clubs are able to apply to their local authorities, on a game-by-game basis, for an extension to that.
Celtic are currently awaiting an outcome from Glasgow City Council after requesting a crowd of around 18,000 fans for their Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland on Tuesday.
A licensing sub-committee of ACC agreed today that 5,545 Dandies will be granted access to the game, after club officials demonstrated how they could safely host the figure.
Attending supporters will be asked to complete a lateral flow covid test on the day of the match, with it required to be shown upon entry.
Just under 100 stewards will be utilised to ensure those in attendance stick to a code of conduct, which attendees will be required to agree to, which includes things like social distancing and using a dedicated seat.
It was acknowledged the club was going above and beyond by requiring this.
No kiosks will be in use.
This decision grants an extension to capacity for the BK Hacken game only.
Originally the application was for 3 matches, but AFC then reduced their request to just the European tie.
The club may still re-apply for an extension for further matches, such as the league opener against Dundee United.
It was noted the club could look to apply for an even larger number of supporters for future games, should this one go well.
It does mean not all of the around 7,700 season ticket holders for the up-coming campaign will get in, the club are expected to hold a ballot.
Councillor Steve Delaney of the Lib Dems raised concerns on the proposal at a time where "NHS Grampian are struggling". No Councillors seconded his motion.
But it was noted the ground would be around 74% empty, so Councillors were confident safety would be maintained.