Coronavirus restrictions: Professional Scottish sport unaffected by new Covid-19 rules

Professional sport in Scotland will not be affected by new coronavirus restrictions for now.

Updated Scottish government guidance says those “involved in professional sports, for training, coaching or competing in an event” will be allowed to leave their homes.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has issued a general stay at home instruction from 00:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Football and rugby union have been played without fans since August.

Glasgow Warriors are scheduled to face Edinburgh in Friday’s Pro14 rugby union match, with both sides having European fixtures scheduled for January.

Also on Friday, Queen’s Park’s take on Queen of the South in football’s Scottish Cup.

More cup ties are scheduled for Saturday, along with Scottish Premiership matches – with further top-flight matches on Sunday, next Monday and next Wednesday. Championship sides are in action next Tuesday.

A small number of football and rugby union matches have been played in front of a limited number of supporters this season. However, that has only been permitted in tier 1 areas - all of mainland Scotland has been in Tier 4 since 26 December.

The Scottish FA has said it will liaise with the Scottish government regarding the impact on football at grassroots level.

Original article 04.01.21 on the BBC Sport website.

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