Aberdeen chief urges insurance firm to 'do the right thing' over coronavirus

A general view of Pittodrie Stadium

Club has been advised it will not receive cover despite football’s indefinite hiatus

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has urged insurers to “do the right thing” after club chiefs were told their chances of claiming cover for loss of earnings as a result of the coronavirus pandemic shutting down football were slim.

The Pittodrie side paid for comprehensive business interruption cover and say the policy provided for “certain consequences of the impact of COVID-19”.

However, with the policy up for annual renewal at the end of April, the club has been advised that the insurance firm will “drop the wording within the existing business interruption policy that would cover us related to the consequences of a pandemic”.

Cormack, who believes the Dons are one of just a few clubs to have relevant insurance cover that addresses the impact of a pandemic, said in a statement on Aberdeen’s website: “As a diligent, well‐run organisation, we chose comprehensive business interruption cover and despite paying for that cover, when we need it most we’ve been advised we’re not going to get it.

“We accept that our insurance company is acting within its legal rights and that the present circumstances will give rise to multiple and significant insurance claims. But this leaves us bearing the majority of the continuing costs incurred as a result of the football suspension in response to the coronavirus, despite the outbreak occurring when we had cover.

“The bulk of our losses will likely be beyond the end of next month. This just doesn’t feel right in the present circumstances.

“We’ve raised this with a local MP because we believe there is a moral dilemma here, which should be addressed by the insurance industry and the government.”

Andrew Bowie, Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has raised the isue with Treasury officials in a bid to find a way forward after voicing his support for the club’s approach to helping the city’s vulnerable and elderly population through the Still Standing Free initiative.

Cormack added: “Perhaps what is needed is for pandemic claims to be dealt with in a similar way to those arising from floods and terrorism. That seems an appropriate long‐term solution, for the solvency‐threatening consequences of pandemics.

“But until that’s in place would it not be the right thing for insurers to continue existing cover for so long as the consequences of the current COVID‐19 outbreak continue?”