Coronavirus update 17 March 2020

Following our previous update on Sunday, there is a further update from SFA and SPFL Joint Response Group on Monday evening.

The main aspect for the Club is the SFA’s recommendation that training no longer continues. This is a move away from their earlier statement on Friday where this was at clubs’ discretion. At this time the Club will follow this recommendation and, with immediate effect, all training is suspended until further notice.

The Club will communicate further, and how this affects player subscriptions and will provide further details in due course. Any further news from SFA Joint Response Group this will be passed on.

Below are the two parts form the SFA’s statement relating to grassroots football, and you can see the full statement at the SFA website.

From SFA and SPFL Joint Response Group statement 16 March 2020.
5. Why have grassroots football matches been postponed when fewer than 500 people attend these matches anyway?
The Board of the Scottish FA felt it appropriate to provide clear instructions to the non-professional and grassroots games when a decision was made to suspend senior professional football. To reiterate, this decision was taken based on public health, the commitments of emergency and medical services, and also on the safety of those involved in the game, which applies from senior professional football to the lowest grassroots ages. This decision is also designed to protect the volunteer network that supports the grassroots game, in line with UK Chief Medical Officer’s advice.

6. Does your advice include preventing training at professional and grassroots level?
Each club, regardless of whether professional or recreational, has the responsibility to make decisions that keep its players, coaches, support staff and other employees safe. PFA Scotland has issued its own guidance to players and we are committed to supporting our members with individual advice.
Having taken medical advice, the Scottish FA Board recommends that no training or conditioning in groups should take place for the time being. This recommendation covers all levels of the game. Further updates on this will be given as and when further medical advice is received.