More fans to be welcomed at Pittodrie as Aberdeen get green light for league opener

Aberdeen Football Club have been given permission to host extra fans at Pittodrie against Dundee United this Sunday.

The Dons open their Scottish Premiership campaign against their rivals United. 

Aberdeen City Council have allowed them to welcome 6,305 supporters this weekend. 

More than 5,000 fans were in the stadium for their Europa Conference League 5-1 win over BK Hacken last Thursday. 

Licensing sub-committee convener John Reynolds described the club’s application as “very positive”.

“We have taken into consideration all the reports that came forward, and crucially this had the support of the NHS,” he added.

Fans were asked to wear face coverings at all times, present a negative Covid-19 lateral flow test and keep socially distanced for the game last Thursday. 

Dons chairman Dave Cormack said: “Aberdeen City Council has approved our latest application which means that a further 640 supporters can be accommodated for this fixture in the Main Stand.

“This is in addition to the 5,665 seats which were available throughout the Main, Merkland and Richard Donald stands for the BK Hacken match.

“As with the test game last Thursday night, this match will be treated as a further step towards demonstrating our capability to host matches safely in-line with the latest local authority and government guidelines and provide confidence and that we can safely accommodate larger crowds.

“Sunday’s league game will again involve additional measures to control access to the stadium and safe movement when inside the ground.

“The seating areas across the stadium have been divided up to allow for one-metre social distancing in ‘pods’ of two, three or four seats, plus a number of single seats.”