Celtic and Aberdeen players who broke rules face sanctions

Authorities to get tough with those who breach Covid protocols

Celtic's Boli Bolingoli, left, could face sanctions for breaching lockdown rules. Picture: Rob Casey / SNS

Sanctions for players who breach coronavirus protocols are set to target individuals – and could be aimed at the Celtic and Aberdeen players who broke rules.

The football authorities will unveil new enforcement rules on Friday and have signalled they will “encompass recent breaches”. The Joint Response Group has acted following demands by the Scottish Government to instigate penalties for breaches of health and safety guidelines.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon handed Scottish football a “yellow card” on Tuesday after it emerged Celtic left-back Boli Bolingoli had travelled to Spain and failed to quarantine days before playing against Kilmarnock.

That came after two Aberdeen players caught Covid-19 and a further six were instructed to self-isolate following a night out. The indiscretions led to four Scottish Premiership matches being postponed and both clubs opened internal disciplinary proceedings while Bolingoli received a police fine, but no punishments were open to the league or governing body.

A statement from the Joint Response Group read: “The JRG has worked to ensure that existing rules will be strengthened to include the provision of sanctions for players who do not adhere to Covid-specific football protocols or government public health guidelines.

“This will encompass recent breaches and further details will be provided tomorrow (Friday).”

The SFA has also agreed that the return to training of all clubs outside the Premiership will be delayed until 24 August at the earliest, pending updated government guidance next Thursday.