MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 13:41:37| >> :600:107219623:107219623:

Fans to attend all-Scotland Guinness PRO14 match on August 28

Edinburgh and Glasgow shape up in front of supporters.

Sports fans will return to grounds in Scotland next Friday when Edinburgh host Glasgow Warriors at BT Murrayfield.

The Scottish Government has approved plans to hold a test event for the final Guinness PRO14 game of the regular season for both teams.

It is understood about 1,000 people will be present at the stadium, which has a 67,000 capacity. That number will include players, backroom staff, stewards, other operations staff and journalists.

The Scottish Rugby Union's chief operating officer, Dominic McKay, said the governing body was delighted that a "limited number of spectators" will be present.

He added: "We are pleased our work with the Scottish Government will ensure that players, support staff and fans will be covered by a comprehensive event plan for everyone's safety including physical distancing requirements.

"Scottish Rugby would like to thank Government ministers and officials who have helped us make this happen, and our own colleagues who pulled together a robust operational plan for the match.

"We hope that our experience and learnings from a live spectator event next Friday can help all of Scottish sport, and the wider events industry restart."

The test event comes ahead of an indicative date of September 14 for supporters to be allowed back into sports stadiums in Scotland under the government's plans for easing coronavirus restrictions.

Plans are being drawn up for football fans to return
Plans are being drawn up for football fans to return (PA)

Scottish football has also been pushing for test events with Celtic's home clash with Motherwell on August 30 put forward as a potential rehearsal for wider implementation.

Scottish Premiership clubs are producing documentation that they hope will help facilitate the gradual return of supporters within each of their grounds, looking at access points and physical distancing measures.

Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "Discussions on pilot events at Premiership matches are now under way and everyone is determined, for the sake of the Scottish game as a whole, to ensure these go smoothly and safely."

Meanwhile, the Scottish Football Association has announced it is formally lifting the suspension of football from August 24, in line with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's announcements on Thursday. Contact training can resume for clubs outside the Scottish Premiership, who had been allowed special dispensation.

The decision confirms plans for lower-league teams to return, including Hearts, who were told to halt their pre-season programme after breaches of protocol from Celtic and Aberdeen players sparked government concern.

SFA president Rod Petrie said: "This is a significant and hugely positive step forward for the whole of Scottish football and means that training can resume for both the professional and grassroots game from Monday.

"I understand the sacrifices players, coaches and clubs have been forced to make to get to this point but the health of the nation remains our absolute priority.

"Training can resume on Monday in line with government's ongoing social distancing measures and advice and, if the virus continues to be contained in Scotland, then the path to competitive football matches being played by October is tangible."

ID:411134: cacheID:411134:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7469:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wales boss Warren Gatland pictured on November 1, 2019
Read Next:
Jurie Roux: 'Next year's Lions tour might not be viable'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!