Question reference: S5W-35959
- Asked by: Angus MacDonald, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 10 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to all SPFL football clubs that compete below the Championship level when the frameworks were finalised for the distribution of grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether it now plans to provide additional support to each club.
Answer
The distribution mechanism was agreed with the Scottish FA to be as fair and equitable as possible. The suspension of the lower leagues below the Championship by the Scottish FA for a short spell was necessary to combat the pandemic and reduce transmission rates across the country. The Scottish Government worked closely with the Scottish FA to allow the resumption of additional football activity earlier this month; including SPFL Leagues 1 and 2, SWPL1 and the Highland League clubs still in this season’s Scottish Cup. This could only happen alongside enhanced measures to keep everyone safe, including mandatory weekly COVID PCR tests for all players and staff.