Government allows drinkers into pubs as football fans wait

Yesterday we learned that the Scottish Government hoped to authorise socially distanced outdoor events from 23 July.  Reports today suggest the club “plan” to have 30,000 fans at games by August.

Before that happens, the virus must continue on its current trajectory, the social ‘distance’ must reduce from 2m and the Government needs to give the green light.

When we are back at football, it will feel more like an airport experience, with temperature checks, travel flow guidelines, sanitise stations, masks and the kind of distancing rules that will make the prohibition on horizontal movement look like a swearing ban.

I don’t think there is much sympathy from the politicians for football’s position – they have more important things to worry about, but what Celtic and the SRU in particular have assured, is that football can be as safe, if not safer, than most other outdoor activities, and safer than all social indoor ones.  When the Government allows drinkers into pubs and beer gardens, they will find it difficult to revert to their usual antagonistic approach to football fans.

Still nothing from Celtic on any of this, which is right.  Under-promise when you cannot control events.  And no one is campaigning for a return, wait until we are safe and be fair.