Like most countries across the world, Scotland banned live sports events in March, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. In August, players and fans welcomed the restart of Scottish Premiership football but with the caveat that it ran behind closed doors.
In a further boost to sports events, Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has now announced that sports stadiums will be reopening to spectators from 14 September. Sturgeon was quick to emphasise that this was subject to strict social distancing guidelines being adhered to.
Sturgeon also added “Some professional sports events may be arranged for spectators before then - with Scottish government agreement - to test the safety of any new arrangements.”
The news was welcomed by the Scottish Football Association and paves way for fans to attend one of the most rivalrous games of the season - taking place in Glasgow in October - between Celtic and Rangers, known as the “Old Firm” derby.
Meanwhile, Scottish Rugby has also confirmed that it will be hosting the UK’s first rugby match since the shutdown for the Guinness Pro14 on Friday 28 August with 600-700 fans in attendance.
The outcome of these early events will be key, not only for Scotland, but the rest of the UK and internationally to better understand and identify the best ways to get spectators back to sports events safely whilst in the current pandemic.