Scottish FA hopeful over fans at games as football chiefs seek clarity amid Scottish Government talks

The Scottish FA is seeking clarity over the limited return of fans to football matches in Scotland as the association holds talks with the Scottish Government.

A limited number of fans were permitted to attend Aberdeen's home match with Kilmarnock in September

Scottish football chiefs are understood to have appealed to Nicola Sturgeon to further relax rules for the country’s professional clubs with the First Minister set to green-light the return of a limited number of fans for next week’s fixtures.

It had been hoped that small crowds would be allowed to attend fixtures as part of the new five-tier approach to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic but suggestions that some parts of the country could be placed under greater levels of restriction than others rules out the prospect of fans at every game scheduled for Friday November 6.

Dundee is expected to be placed under the most severe tier which would effectively rule out St Johnstone from having fans at their home game against Kilmarnock while supporters are unlikely to be allowed into St Mirren v Dundee United in Paisley, according to reports.

A portion of supporters could yet be permitted to attend Aberdeen v Hibs and Ross County v Livingston.

A Scottish FA spokesperson said: “We are currently working with the Scottish Government and Sportscotland to seek clarity on how the latest Covid-19 approach will affect football. This includes how the new Tier approach will impact on clubs and players at all levels of our game.

"We will aim to provide further information and guidance in the coming days. Current protocols should remain in place until further guidance has been communicated.

"We again thank everyone in the Scottish football community for their support in these difficult times.”