SPORTS
Scottish Football DUNCAN HENDERSON Even by the usual standards, the last two months have
If the Aberdeen players were just ordinary members
been particularly tumultuous for Scottish Football.
of the public, an argument could be made that that
With a new season on the horizon, the SFA and clubs
their infraction could be differentiated from Bolingoli’s
hoped that the public’s attention to the game would
- pubs are legally open, and their main issue was having
be limited to what would happen on the pitch and the
a group size larger than guidelines permitted and a lack
questions that this season would ask. The biggest of
of physical distancing inside the pub. What Bolingoli did
all, being whether Celtic can take a historic 10 league
was objectively illegal and he could have received a
titles in a row, or if Steven Gerrard’s Rangers could
substantial fine for not completing his 14 day quaran-
stop them and win the Premiership for themselves?
tine period after returning from a higher risk country. However, it must be acknowledged that footballers are
That hope this season would be remembered for what
not ordinary members of the public. Ordinary mem-
happened on the pitch rather than off it lasted a grand
bers of the public don’t typically have jobs that bring
total of six hours. After losing to Rangers in the open-
them into close physical contact with match offi-
ing day of the season, eight Aberdeen players - includ-
cials, club coaching staff, their own teammates, and
ing senior members of the squad - decided to go to a
their opponents match day squad. Football’s nature
crowded bar together. A few days later, two of them
as a contact sport means that its resumption is sub-
had tested positive for COVID-19 and Aberdeen’s
ject to special conditions - players must test nega-
next fixture against St. Johnstone was postponed.
tive each week, and must avoid doing certain things
Football’s trouble was compounded when Celtic left-
that are permitted for the remainder as us, such as
back Boli Bolingoli decided that a four day break from
going to pubs. In exchange for players adhering to
training would be best spent defying his club’s instruc-
these additional restrictions, football matches can
tions not to leave Glasgow and instead fly to Spain
now be played, letting players earn their livelihood
and on his return, decide that the mandatory 14 day
and preventing the liquidation of assets and subse-
isolation period was an inconvenience he’d rather not
quent collapse of many of Scotland’s football clubs.
bother with. Combined with Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths needing to be “reminded of his responsibilities”
All the players involved are now subject to internal club
after hosting a large number of guests at his house, it
and SPFL disciplinary procedures, and face conse-
soon became clear to see that Scottish football had a
quences ranging from being fined a percentage of their
big problem. Celtic’s next fixtures were also postponed
wages to being suspended for a handful of matches
and the Government took a stance - football was to be
as a result of having breached the restrictions that
shown a metaphorical yellow card, and any future inci-
allowed for the return to play. However, many argue
dents would see the suspension of the game in Scotland.
that this isn’t enough, and that a collective penalty needs to be levied against their teams as a stronger
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