Sturgeon takes aim at Aberdeen players over coronavirus rules breach

The first minister says she is "furious" after eight Aberdeen players breached football's coronavirus protocols by visiting a busy bar at the weekend.

The club's game against St Johnstone tomorrow has been called off.

It comes after two of the players involved tested positive for the virus, with another six also forced to self-isolate.

Nicola Sturgeon said the players had not caught Covid-19 through bad luck but "clear breaches of the rules".

Original 106 asked the first minister what this situation might mean for a potential return of fans to stadiums in a limited capacity later in the year - and what her message was for footballers across Scotland.

You can watch her response in the video above.

Earlier, football's coronavirus joint response group said in a statement: "Following a meeting this morning between the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick, the Scottish FA Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell, and the Chief Executive of the SPFL, Neil Doncaster, to further examine the circumstances around the self-isolation of eight Aberdeen FC players, a request was received from Scottish Government - and agreement reached - to postpone Saturday’s Scottish Premiership match against St Johnstone. 

"There is an evolving public health outbreak in Aberdeen and the minister conveyed the need for additional work to provide further assurance around Aberdeen FC’s adherence to the agreed protocols.

"Given the overriding responsibility to public health, the subsequent advice and discussion with the minister this morning means that the Joint Response Group must adhere to the request to postpone the match."

Dons chairman Dave Cormack has apologised.

He said: "Given the significant Covid-19 outbreak in Aberdeen, we fully understand why the Scottish Government has made this decision in the interests of public health.

"With the pressure over this season’s fixtures, and the fact that we caused this problem, we were fully prepared to play the game tomorrow. We are very grateful that the decision has been to postpone, rather than forfeit the game.

"I took the opportunity yesterday to apologise to both football and health authorities, and with our fellow premiership clubs today.

"The clinical decision last night from the JRG that it was safe to play underlines the confidence the football authorities have in the robustness of our procedures and protocols. Regrettably, what has happened in the last few days has undermined all the hard work that has gone into keeping our players and staff safe. We are now dealing with this internally with the seriousness it deserves.

"In the meantime, I’d like to reassure the relevant bodies, our fans and everyone associated with the Club that our already rigorous measures are being forensically scrutinised and that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that no-one is under any doubt about what must be adhered to."

There are now 101 cases of coronavirus associated with a cluster in the city, linked to several local hospitality venues.

Dr Emmanuel Okpo, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Grampian, said: "I know the continuing increase in numbers will be concerning for the public. I must stress again they should only arrange a test if they have the recognised symptoms of Covid-19. 

"A ‘not-detected’ result in someone without symptoms does not mean you will not go on to develop the virus. It does not mean you would not be required to self-isolate if you were identified as a close contact of a detected case.

"The advice to people across Grampian has not changed. Whether you live in Aberdeen or elsewhere, whether you attended of the previously published venues or not, we need you to stick to the current guidance.

"Use a face covering where required, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with water and soap, practise physical distancing, and avoid crowded places. It is especially important that people in Aberdeen abide by the current, enhanced, restrictions.

"Our health protection and Test and Protect teams are working extremely hard to speak to all the detected cases and establish who their close contacts are. Please be assured that if you are a close contact of a detected case, our teams will be in touch with you.

"I want to say thank you to all the people we have interviewed and contacted so far. Their co-operation and support, at what must be a difficult and concerning time for them, is recognised by all of us within NHS Grampian."