Scottish football is in danger of being halted by the country’s government after a Celtic player breached coronavirus rules by taking a secret trip to Spain and failing to self-isolate on his return
The Scottish champions issued on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT) an apology and a condemnation of the actions of left-back Boli Bolingoli, who played in a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock in the league on Sunday (Monday NZT) despite having only recently returned from Spain without quarantining.
“It is difficult to imagine a more irresponsible action in current circumstances,” Celtic said in a statement, “and we find it beyond explanation.”
A game between Aberdeen and St Johnstone on Saturday was postponed a day earlier after two Aberdeen players tested positive for Covid-19 and a further six were instructed to self-isolate following a night out in a bar.
That led to Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warning that Scottish football’s privileges to play during the safety restrictions would be at risk if a similar situation arose.
The government is in discussion with Celtic and football governing bodies about how to react to the latest breach, saying in a statement that it will consider “whether a pause is now needed in the resumption of the game in Scotland.”
“Utterly unacceptable from Bolingoli,” justice minister Humza Yousaf wrote on Twitter, adding he would “support whatever enforcement action” is deemed necessary by police.
Sturgeon said at a news conference that she doesn’t expect Celtic to play their next game, against St Mirren on Wednesday (Thursday NZT).
“I am asking people to hugely restrict how they live their lives,” she said. “And people rightly will look to me and say, ‘Well, if footballers get away with doing whatever they want, why do I have to keep doing these things?’”
All 12 Premiership managers and captains held talks with government officials on Monday and were reminded of their responsibilities over protocols particular to football and also the general public.
Celtic said they have taken their response to Covid-19 “extremely seriously” and recorded no positive tests so far.
“We could have done no more in this area,” Celtic said. “It is a matter of the deepest regret to us that the behaviour of one individual has jeopardised that reputation and reflected discredit on football more generally.”
Spain was restored to the Scottish government’s list of countries from which returning travellers must quarantine themselves for 14 days following a decision on July 25, which came into effect from midnight on July 26.
