Following the announcement that the return of supporters has been postponed, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick MSP has written to the UK Minister for Sport and Civil Society seeking urgent discussions regarding a package of financial recovery for sport, accessible to Scotland.
The SFA/SPFL Joint Response Group have thanked all clubs who have played their part by adhering to the strictest measures to combat COVID-19, despite the enormous financial toll it has inflicted on them.
The game in Scotland depends on ticket revenue far more than the vast majority of professional leagues across Europe.
Over five million supporters per season attend Scottish league matches – with 43% of all revenue generated via gate receipts.
The prospect of that vital income being lost for the majority of the season – far less in its entirety – could be catastrophic for many of our clubs and the JRG are committed to working with government to avert that crisis.
Rod Petrie, Scottish FA President and chair of the JRG, said: “We understand the challenges and decisions facing the Scottish Government and society as a whole and Scottish football will continue to play its part in helping the country overcome the pandemic.
“It is also incumbent on us to safeguard the futures of our football clubs, whilst at the same time respecting and adhering to public health guidelines. We welcome the correspondence from Scottish Government to the UK Minister for Sport and Civil Society and hope for a positive outcome for the national game and Scottish sport as whole.”
Neil Doncaster, CEO of the SPFL, commented: “We are engaging with the Scottish Government to underline the existential threat to many of our clubs, and to the huge community, economic and sporting benefits they deliver, if this grave situation continues without meaningful public financial support. We therefore welcome the intervention of the Scottish Government in seeking urgent discussions with the UK Government about a package of financial recovery for Scottish sport.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
