uneasydaz
Well-Known Member
NATIONAL clinical director Jason Leitch has said that he cannot confirm that Aberdeen's Premiership match with Hamilton on Wednesday will go ahead.
Leitch has been briefing the managers and captains of all Scottish Premiership clubs at 5pm this evening at the end of a week which saw eight Aberdeen stars forced to quarantine after a night out in the city which is now under lockdown measures.
Speaking on the Go Radio show, Leitch said the Zoom Call had gone well but he couldn't guarantee yet that Wednesday's Pittodrie showdown against the Accies would be going ahead.
"It certainly is NOT confirmed. Everybody is hopeful.
"Everybody is hopeful that Aberdeen city will get through this outbreak and get out the other end of it.
"But we have some important decisions to make on Wednesday for the population at large
And depending on that, it will have an influence on the game and what can happen around that.
"Because this game is in Aberdeen, not an away game.
"The wish is that elite football, like all elite sports, gets back as quick as they possibly can. But they have also got a responsibility. With privilege comes responsibility and that is what we have been getting across to clubs.
"For the first time I think, all captains and all managers have been in the one place at the one time, so it is a pretty unique moment, expressing the seriousness with which we are all taking this.
"The SPFL convened this and I and a couple of others from the Government went on and it was constructive and friendly but you won't be surprised to hear that I was pretty robust and assertive.
"Because I am a football fan and I don't want that return to be put at risk.
"Nor do I want people abused or vilified in any way - people make mistakes so let's move on from that.
"But this might have been a moment in time where football players realise we are not messing around here.
"750,000 people have died from this virus globally so you trifle with this virus at your peril."
As for a swift return of football in front of crowds, Leitch said the Aberdeen row hasn't done that idea any favours.
"I don't think this has helped but this wasn't a fan problem.
"We are worried about indoor hospitality, we have got an outbreak now in Aberdeen which is 167 people."
"The broader question on the guidance as to whether players should go out at all.
"I think there is an argument that elite sports people should go beyond the guidelines, not think they are just behaving like the general public."
Rod Petrie, Chair of the Joint Response Group, said: “The JRG is thankful to Professor Leitch, as well as the managers and captains of Scottish Premiership clubs, for facilitating a video call to reinforce the message that Scottish football is serious in its commitment to helping the country emerge from the COVID crisis as safely as possible.
“The events of last week were deeply regrettable but the JRG commends the immediate response by the Aberdeen owner, David Cormack, and the manager, Derek McInnes, in dealing with the matter and providing government with the necessary confidence that there will be no repeat."
Leitch has been briefing the managers and captains of all Scottish Premiership clubs at 5pm this evening at the end of a week which saw eight Aberdeen stars forced to quarantine after a night out in the city which is now under lockdown measures.
Speaking on the Go Radio show, Leitch said the Zoom Call had gone well but he couldn't guarantee yet that Wednesday's Pittodrie showdown against the Accies would be going ahead.
"It certainly is NOT confirmed. Everybody is hopeful.
"Everybody is hopeful that Aberdeen city will get through this outbreak and get out the other end of it.
"But we have some important decisions to make on Wednesday for the population at large
And depending on that, it will have an influence on the game and what can happen around that.
"Because this game is in Aberdeen, not an away game.
"The wish is that elite football, like all elite sports, gets back as quick as they possibly can. But they have also got a responsibility. With privilege comes responsibility and that is what we have been getting across to clubs.
"For the first time I think, all captains and all managers have been in the one place at the one time, so it is a pretty unique moment, expressing the seriousness with which we are all taking this.
"The SPFL convened this and I and a couple of others from the Government went on and it was constructive and friendly but you won't be surprised to hear that I was pretty robust and assertive.
"Because I am a football fan and I don't want that return to be put at risk.
"Nor do I want people abused or vilified in any way - people make mistakes so let's move on from that.
"But this might have been a moment in time where football players realise we are not messing around here.
"750,000 people have died from this virus globally so you trifle with this virus at your peril."
As for a swift return of football in front of crowds, Leitch said the Aberdeen row hasn't done that idea any favours.
"I don't think this has helped but this wasn't a fan problem.
"We are worried about indoor hospitality, we have got an outbreak now in Aberdeen which is 167 people."
"The broader question on the guidance as to whether players should go out at all.
"I think there is an argument that elite sports people should go beyond the guidelines, not think they are just behaving like the general public."
Rod Petrie, Chair of the Joint Response Group, said: “The JRG is thankful to Professor Leitch, as well as the managers and captains of Scottish Premiership clubs, for facilitating a video call to reinforce the message that Scottish football is serious in its commitment to helping the country emerge from the COVID crisis as safely as possible.
“The events of last week were deeply regrettable but the JRG commends the immediate response by the Aberdeen owner, David Cormack, and the manager, Derek McInnes, in dealing with the matter and providing government with the necessary confidence that there will be no repeat."