Israel fan ban a huge financial blow to Scottish FA

Scottish Cup semi-final crowds also under threat from new coronavirus restrictions
Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes in action against Israel in the UEFA Nations League at Hampden on 4 September. Picture: lan Harvey/SNSScotland striker Lyndon Dykes in action against Israel in the UEFA Nations League at Hampden on 4 September. Picture: lan Harvey/SNS
Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes in action against Israel in the UEFA Nations League at Hampden on 4 September. Picture: lan Harvey/SNS

The Scottish FA have been dealt a financial hammer blow with confirmation the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel at Hampden on 8 October will be played behind closed doors.

New restrictions announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to combat the rising number of positive Covid-19 tests ended hopes of having spectators inside the National Stadium for the vital fixture.

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Plans for further test events with limited numbers of supporters inside grounds for Scottish Premiership fixtures have also been put on hold.

While the top flight campaign will continue behind closed doors, it is now also highly unlikely there will be any fans at the first Old Firm clash of the season at Celtic Park on 17 October.

The Scottish Government, who had already put back a previous indicative date for crowds inside stadiums for sporting events from 14 September to 5 October, have informed the Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League that the situation will now be reviewed again on 13 October.

But with UK government officials indicating that plans for supporters to return to sports events in England from 1 October have been cancelled amid new restrictions they say could last for six months, the prospect of fans inside Scottish grounds any time soon is remote.

The implications for the Euro 2020 play-off are especially significant for the SFA.

The match against Israel, which was originally scheduled to be played in March, is a 50,000 sell-out and was set to be Scotland’s most lucrative fixture in many years as the Tartan Army savoured the possibility of qualifying for a major tournament finals for the first time since 1998.

But the SFA now face the prospect of refunding around £1 million to ticket holders.

In a further financial blow, the Uefa Nations League game against Slovakia at Hampden on 11 October will also now definitely be played behind closed doors, with the match against Czech Republic at the national stadium three days later almost certain to face the same fate following the Scottish Government’s next review.

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The 2019-20 Scottish Cup semi-finals, held over from last season, are also increasingly unlikely to be played in front of fans. Hearts are due to play Hibs, while holders Celtic will face Aberdeen in the ties scheduled for 31 October and 1 November.

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