SFA release statement after meeting with Neil Lennon, Scott Brown and others

By John McGinley

August 10, 2020

Celtic manager Neil Lennon and captain Scott Brown took part in a Scottish FA videoconference meeting today alongside their counterparts from the other 11 clubs in the Scottish Premiership.

National Clinical Director for Scotland, Professor Jason Leitch, was on hand to communicate with the representatives from squads around the country after last week’s drama in Aberdeen.

Eight Dons players had to enter self-isolation after socialising in city-centre bars and restaurants last week.

Unfortunately, two of them also tested positive for coronavirus.

That resulted in their weekend match against St Johnstone being postponed. The incident also drew condemnation from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Everyone in Scottish football has now been reminded of their responsibilities.

Pittodrie Stadium / (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)

A statement on the SFA website from Rod Petrie, Chair of the Joint Response Group, said: “The JRG is thankful to Professor Leitch, as well as the managers and captains of Scottish Premiership clubs, for facilitating a video call to reinforce the message that Scottish football is serious in its commitment to helping the country emerge from the COVID crisis as safely as possible.

“The events of last week were deeply regrettable but the JRG commends the immediate response by the Aberdeen owner, David Cormack, and the manager, Derek McInnes, in dealing with the matter and providing government with the necessary confidence that there will be no repeat.

“Scottish football must continue to work together to ensure the national game remains a safe and secure environment for all participants, but it must also be mindful of its role in promoting and protecting public health messages, behaviours and obligations.

“Harsh lessons have been learned by Aberdeen that will have been heeded by the rest of Scottish football and that message was made clear to Professor Leitch this evening.”

It has also been communicated by the governing body that Aberdeen have provided a “comprehensive protocol document”, outlining the measures they are taking to ensure football goes ahead safely at their training ground and at Pittodrie.

Neil Lennon before yesterday’s Celtic match / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

As Scottish football continues to recover from the issues that have faced society this year it’s vitally important everyone involved in the game proceeds as carefully as possible.

Despite what has happened, it appears Aberdeen’s matches against Hamilton and Celtic will go ahead over the next week.

However, Derek McInnes will be without eight of his first-team squad, with the isolation period going beyond the two fixtures.

In other news, 67 Hail Hail has challenged pundit Tam McManus’s comments suggesting he has already written off Patryk Klimala.