Aberdeen without eight players after coronavirus outbreak

Aberdeen are being forced to play their weekend's game against St Johnstone without eight players - after cases of coronavirus at the club.

Two players have tested positive - and one of these has been confirmed by a follow-up NHS test. The second is waiting on the results of that.

But six others who were in close contact with the pair are having to self-isolate.

The first player has to quarantine for 10 days while the rest have to isolate for a fortnight from yesterday, according to football's joint response group.

Despite this, Saturday's game in Perth goes ahead as scheduled.

Rod Petrie, joint response group chair, said: "As we have said from the outset, public health is the absolute priority of the joint response group. As soon as we were informed of the positive tests, the information was immediately referred to the Scottish Government via our chief medical consultant.

"Given the well-documented outbreak in Aberdeen it was imperative that we took the swiftest action to enable the local health protection team to respond immediately.

"The Scottish Government’s instruction to the JRG was clear and unequivocal, as was our support of that instruction. Given the circumstances, we issue the strongest possible message to all clubs to ensure compliance with the twice-weekly testing procedure and Scottish football’s return to playingprotocol. It is imperative that everyone adheres to Scottish Government public health advice."

Dons chairman Dave Cormack said: "After Saturday’s game, with all eyes on Pittodrie, we were once again commended on the stringent processes and measures we had in place. Given the efforts of everyone at the Club and our investment in protecting our most valuable assets, this is a bitter blow.

"With two first team players testing positive for Covid-19, plus six others having to isolate for 14 days, it is also a harsh reminder of the severity and speed of spread of this virus.

"The club will be carrying out a full investigation but, as an immediate first step, we have reinforced the Club’s Covid-19 protocols and the governing bodies’ guidance with every player and member of staff and will continue to regularly educate and remind everyone of what is, and what is not, acceptable in the current climate.

"We now have to focus on preparing for Saturday’s game under extremely difficult circumstances."