Sanctions for footballers in Scotland who break coronavirus restrictions will be announced on Friday
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Sanctions for footballers who do not comply with coronavirus restrictions are set to be announced tomorrow.
The Scottish Football Association Joint Response Group (JRG) have outlined a wide range of measures agreed with the Scottish Government.
It comes after Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli arrived back from Spain without quarantining for 14 days and eight Aberdeen players broke club Covid-19 rules when caught drinking at a bar together. Two people at Aberdeen tested positive for Covid-19.
A statement from the JRG said: "The JRG has worked to ensure that existing rules will be strengthened to include the provision of sanctions for players who do not adhere to COVID-specific football protocols or government public health guidelines. This will encompass recent breaches and further details will be provided tomorrow."
National clinical director Jason Leitch has produced a video message outlining what professional footballers can and cannot do within the existing government guidelines.
In addition, it has been announced that the Scottish FA has agreed that the return to training for clubs outwith the Premiership – which includes all organised adult football over-18 - will be delayed until at least Monday, August 24, pending updated government guidance on Thursday, August 20.
The statement continued: "This is to ensure that all club facilities comply with the current JRG Protocols, social distancing and hygiene measures. All club policies and procedures comply with the current protocols and government guidance. Club testing regimes in the professional game comply with the protocols Players and staff at all levels of the game have been reminded of the latest government guidance."
JRG chairman Rod Petrie said: “The message from First Minister could not have been clearer. The JRG must now ensure that the planned resumption of football beyond the Scottish Premiership is done in a controlled manner with the strictest adherence to protocols and guidelines.
“The pause on the return to training for the professional game outwith the Scottish Premiership will not impact on the proposed start dates of the respective league competitions but will give sufficient time to reinforce protocols, educate players and make sure of the ability of clubs in the lower divisions to conform.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Today’s measures underline the fact that Scottish football is doing everything it possibly can to protect our game. The recent, high-profile breaches must be used as further motivation for all those with our game’s best interests at heart to comply absolutely with these necessary restrictions and safeguards.”
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