STEP BACK

Nicola Sturgeon PAUSES phased return of fans until October 5 at the earliest but this weekend’s test events go ahead

FIRST minister Nicola Sturgeon has delivered the news that Scottish football was fearing.

The Government have announced that the phased return of fans to stadiums which was scheduled to commence on Monday September 14 has been delayed for a MINIMUM of three weeks.

While two pilot events scheduled for this weekend - Aberdeen's meeting with Kilmarnock and Ross County's home match with Celtic - will still go ahead, hopes of any wider return for the nation's football fans have been put into cold storage until October 5 at the earliest after a recent upsurge in cases.

The first minister said: "In my previous statement I set out several changes which were provisionally scheduled for 14 September.

"Unfortunately due to a rise in the cases we have seen since then have concluded these changes must be paused for an additional three weeks.

"A new indicative date for their resumption is October 5, however I must stress again that this remains an indicative date only.

"This means unfortunately spectators won't be able to return to sports stadiums in the next three weeks.

There are two pilot events planned for this weekend which will proceed - however after that we will view possible pilot events on case by case basis and in light of latest data.

"We will remain in Phase 3 for now and that is likely to remain the same for some time yet."

Aberdeen will welcome 300 fans in for Saturday's home meeting with Kilmarnock, while Ross County will have a similar number in attendance for their meeting with champions Celtic.

Hopes for Old Firm duo Rangers and Celtic - and Paisley outfit St Mirren - to host similar test events had to be shelved due to localised coronavirus restrictions in those areas.

But it remains anyone's guess when fans will be permitted to return to Scottish grounds in usual numbers.