Bodo/Glimt vs Celtic will be allowed to host a full capacity stadium after a host of Covid restrictions were scrapped in Norway.
New changes will come into effect on Tuesday, and they include the removal of capacity limits for both indoor and outdoor events. Previously, football clubs in Norway were only allowed to fill a maximum of 3,000 seats or 50% of their capacity [Helse Norge].
Bodo/Glimt’s Aspmyra stadium only hosts a capacity of just over 7,300 seats [World Stadia]. A statement from the club on their ticket situation for the Celtic clash is surely to be expected.
However, speaking last night and as quoted by The Local, the Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Store stated: “Today we have finally reached the point at which we can remove many of the anti-infection measures we have lived with this winter”.
It also remains to be seen what this means for potential away allocations. Celtic fans have been left disappointed on several occasions this term with away trips. Games away to Real Betis and Ferencvaros in the group stages saw no Celtic supporters allowed entry despite UEFA lifting their own ban on this back in early September.
Celtic did manage to take 1,500 tickets to Bayer Leverkusen, and the noise levels in Germany were incredible even with such a small sum.
Celtic fans await Bodo/Glimt update
It’s difficult to see what blockages would be in place when it comes to Celtic fans going to Norway at this point.
The country has also dropped mandatory Covid tests upon arrival, meaning those travelling from the UK will only need to take a pre-departure test along with their relevant Covid vaccination documentation.
For now, all we can do is await Bodo’s update on the situation. Celtic fans have certainly had more than their fair share of away-day disappointment in terms of attendances this season.
What will be interesting of course is how our Norwegian foes deal with an electric Celtic Park atmosphere. It isn’t something their players have ever experienced, and considering the fact 60,000 will hopefully be in attendance for that one, it could be a real culture shock for the Bodo/Glimt stars.
Of course, there are several important assignments Celtic must complete before then. We have huge matches against Rangers, Motherwell, and Aberdeen to negotiate before our Euro rivals come to Parkhead.
But even so, hopefully we get a proper update on the away-ticket situation this week or next, especially with the game just over 3 weeks away.
In other news, Celtic must finalise UECL squad tonight; UEFA deadline looms
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