Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has sent a warning to all clubs in Scotland after an alleged Covid-19 protocol breach at Rangers.
Earlier this season, Aberdeen players were found guilty of breaching protocols at a bar while Celtic left-back Boli Bolingoli flew to Spain and failed to isolate upon his return. That’s just two of a few incidents throughout the Premiership season alone, the latest concerning some Rangers players allegedly holding an illegal party while the country is still in lockdown.
The First Minister has said that Scottish clubs, regardless of who they are, must respect the privileges they have: “I tell you, sometimes I feel that it’s taking me all that’s in my power not to stand here and use expletives whenever I get asked about football. I don’t know yet, I’ve not been given all the details of the Rangers incident yet.
“I’ve no doubt that will happen when the details are clearer, the club has said that they’re investigating. Let me be clear: whenever football rears its head in this situation I get emails from people suggesting that I’m somehow in favour of or against one team or the other – that’s not true.
“I don’t care what club it is that’s breaching the rules, if you’re breaching the rules you’re in the wrong. It’s so frustrating, not just to me or the government. I suppose that’s not the most important thing, though believe me it is really frustrating.
“But it’s really unfair to the vast majority of people who don’t have the privileges that elite sportspeople have right now. Therefore when they see elite sportspeople breach these rules – and let’s also be frank, the vast majority are not – but when a small number do people think, ‘why am I bothering?’.
“So can I say to football, and sport generally, please make sure your house is in order. It shouldn’t take me standing here to say to highly paid footballers that you’ve got to obey the rules. It really shouldn’t take that.
“The fact that is does is hugely frustrating to me and I don’t care whether it’s Celtic, Rangers or any other club. It’s not on, so please stop breaking the rules.”
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