Supporters to return to two Scottish Premiership games
Last updated 8th Sep 2020
Two SPFL matches will go ahead this weekend with about 300 supporters in the stands as part of pilot events for the return of spectators to football.
Aberdeen v Kilmarnock and Ross County v Celtic will each have 300 home fans in stadiums this weekend.
The Scottish Government said other proposed pilot events involving Rangers and St Mirren games in Glasgow and Paisley will not go ahead due to the extra coronavirus restrictions in the west of Scotland.
It follows a trial event at a rugby game at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh at the end of August, when 700 spectators were allowed into the stands.
Both Aberdeen and Ross County will provide post-match reports to inform any future pilot schemes, the SPFL said.
Ministers have said no decision has been taken on the general return of fans to stadiums and "nothing should be taken for granted''.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: "We are pleased to have received confirmation of pilot events at two Scottish Premiership fixtures on 12 September and I would like to thank the respective home clubs - and indeed all 12 Premiership clubs - for the comprehensive Return to Supporting plans.
"We look forward to building on the successful all-sport supporter pilot at BT Murrayfield and I know that clubs take the responsibility for the safe return of supporters seriously.
"This is another significant step forward for Scottish football and I reiterate the importance of fans to our national game.''
Sports minister Joe FitzPatrick said: No final decision has yet been taken regarding the general resumption of stadia events with restricted numbers of spectators and nothing should be taken for granted at this stage.
"However, the Scottish Government has agreed that the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) can hold two pilot events, each with 300 home supporters only, on September 12.
"A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes in recent months to create the protocols and testing regimes to allow top-level professional sport in Scotland to resume and this arrangement follows extensive discussions with the Scottish FA, SPFL and clubs about public safety - particularly in relation to physical distancing and hygiene measures.''
He added: "The football authorities and the clubs involved have also been able to review and learn from the pilot event staged by Scottish Rugby on August 28 and we are confident there will be strict protocols in place at these two initial pilot football events.
"We are keeping all pilot events under close review.''