Scottish Government Approve First Football Fan Return Pilot Schemes

The Aberdeen and Ross County home games to against Kilmarnock and Celtic respectively will be allowed to welcome 300 home fans at each game after the Scottish government approved the fixtures as pilot matches.

The two matches will be the first Scottish Premiership games in front of spectators since the coronavirus shutdown, after a successful test event was carried out at Murrayfield in August in a PRO14 Rugby Union tie.

Scottish Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick, indicated last month that up to three pilot events could take place with spectators in the Scottish Premiership on the weekend of September 12th.

Aberdeen, who confirmed their tickets will be allocated based on a ballot for season-ticket holders to return to Pittodrie, also said that confirmation of a follow-up test event for 750 season ticket holders against Motherwell on September 20th is hoped to be announced later this week.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "We are pleased to have received confirmation of pilot events at two Scottish Premiership fixtures on September 12th and I would like to thank the respective home clubs, and indeed all 12 Premiership clubs, for the comprehensive Return to Supporting plans. We look forward to building on the successful all-sport supporter pilot at Murrayfield and I know that clubs take the responsibility for the safe return of supporters seriously. This is another significant step forward for Scottish football and I reiterate the importance of fans to our national game. The JRG will continue to liaise with all clubs, and especially the home clubs, in the coming week to ensure all protocols and guidance are adhered to and that fans can look forward to a phased return to supporting their respective teams."