UK Covid Inquiry: Nicola Sturgeon calls AFC statement 'complacent abomination'
The text messages from the former First Minister were shown during the UK Covid Inquiry on Tuesday as Jason Leitch gives evidence.
Last updated 23rd Jan 2024
Nicola Sturgeon called Aberdeen Football Club's statement a "complacent abomination" after players breached rules, the UK Covid Inquiry has heard.
It was revealed during Professor Jason Leitch's evidence at the inquiry which is currently taking place in Edinburgh.
Texts exchanged between the National Clinical Director, Nicola Sturgeon, and Joe Fitzpatrick MSP on 6 August 2020 were presented to the inquiry showing discussions about AFC's apology after eight players were spotted in a city centre bar.
Jonny Hayes, Michael Devlin, Scott McKenna, Matty Kennedy, Sam Cosgrove, Dylan McGeouch, Craig Bryson and Bruce Anderson issued an apology to Aberdeen fans and Ms. Sturgeon for breaking government guidance.
Two of the players caught the virus, which led to matches between St Mirren and St Johnstone being postponed.
Ms Sturgeon's message read: "This statement - from a club that's just allowed its players to breach the rules - is a complacent abomination!"
The statement which Ms Sturgeon is referring to issued by Aberdeen FC said: "Further to tonight’s JRG statement, Aberdeen FC confirms that two first team players, who have tested positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic, are self-isolating for ten days.
"In line with government guidance and procedures from the football authorities, six other players, who were in close proximity with the two positive cases, are also self-isolating for 14 days.
"The Club has been in open discussions with the football authorities since this came to light.
"As a result, the Club will be missing eight players for the St Johnstone game, which the JRG has confirmed will now go ahead on Saturday."
Chairman Dave Cormack said their actions were "not acceptable".
The club issued a further statement around a week later on 14 August marking the end of their internal investigation into the eight players, confirming they had "breached the Club's COVID-19 protocols and government guidance".
Prof Leitch asks for the games to be cancelled
The next text message exchange presented to the inquiry was sent later that day between Mr Leitch and Joe Fitzpatrick, who was Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing at the time.
Mr Leitch suggested cancelling the game rather than postponing it so that the club would have to forfeit points.
His message read: "I realise it's late but... I think postponing rewards bad behaviour, cancelling and forfeiting the points seems much more appropriate."
The games ended up being postponed.
The UK inquiry has moved to Edinburgh for three weeks as it probes the devolved administration's response to the pandemic.