Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022
Trivia
- Match Postponed:
Wednesday 12 August
Aberdeen v Hamilton Academical
St Mirren v Celtic
Saturday 15 August
Aberdeen v Celtic
These matches have been postponed due to Bolingoli
https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/coronavirus-joint-response-group-update-11-august/?rid=13929
- Was to be a Midweek game, 6pm kickoff
- Country has been roasting in a heatwave.
- Bolingoli: broke strict quarantine rules with secret trip to Spain before playing against Kilmarnock without club knowledge and failed to quarantine on his return. The Scottish government says it could call a halt to Scottish football. Disaster and unbelievable irresponsible behaviour. Many calls for his removal & sacking.
- FM Nicola Sturgeon warned: “as a minimum, you should not be expecting to see Aberdeen or Celtic play over the course of the coming week”, after their players broke lockdown rules.
- SFA Covid response team postponed 2x Aberdeen & Celtic games.
- UK officially in recession for first time in 11 years
- Snooker: Celtic fan Anthony McGill in the semi-finals; lost in a classic
As much as no Scottish player got to the final his year in the Snooker final: Higgins got a 147 McManus made the quarter-finals (first time since 2005) McGill got to the semi-finals (lost in a classic). Brilliant form (and all three are Celts); respect to all.
- Celtic completed the signing of striker Albian Ajeti. 4 year contract. He joins from West Ham in a £5m deal.
- Train derailment accident in Stonehaven, 3 died. RIP. Very insensitive headline printed by the Scottish Sun newspaper “Death Express”. Disgusting & pathetic by them, and further reason to avoid that paper.
Articles
Coronavirus Joint Response Group Update – 11 August
Tuesday 11 August 2020
Scottish Government Update
During discussions this morning with the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing a request was received – and subsequently agreed by the Joint Response Group – for the postponement of the following fixtures:
Wednesday 12 August
Aberdeen v Hamilton Academical
St Mirren v Celtic
Saturday 15 August
Aberdeen v Celtic
These matches have been postponed in light of ongoing restrictions in Aberdeen and today’s news of a breach of government public health guidance and football protocols involving the Celtic FC player, Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo.
During further discussions today with the Minister and government advisers, the JRG has offered to work on a range of measures – which will involve the whole of professional football in Scotland – to underpin a commitment to raising public health awareness and reaffirm the collective responsibility of the national game.
Rod Petrie, Chair of the JRG: “The Joint Response Group has acted swiftly and decisively in addressing the latest concerns raised by the minister on behalf of Scottish Government. While the decision to postpone these games is deeply regrettable nevertheless in the circumstances it is unavoidable and uncontestable.
“The JRG members were astounded to learn of the recklessness demonstrated by Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo in his breach of government public health guidance and football protocols. We echo the sentiments of Celtic FC in their condemnatory statement and commend the club’s swiftness in opening a disciplinary investigation.
“That this comes on the back of eight Aberdeen players showing similar disregard for public health is disrespectful not just to every football team-mate, fellow player and colleague but also to every fan in this country. It is also hugely damaging to the image, reputation and sustainability of the game.
“We sympathise with the position this puts the Scottish Government in as the country is tentatively easing its way out of lockdown restrictions.
“We agree wholeheartedly with the unequivocal message relayed to managers and captains by the National Clinical Director for Scotland, Professor Jason Leitch, last night. Clubs and players are in no doubt that there is now no more margin for error and no more scope for further breaches.
“Since March, the Joint Response Group has worked hand-in-hand with government advisers and medical experts to ensure a safe return for the professional game, with clubs undertaking to fulfil their obligations.
“Players must heed the warning of the First Minister that this is a yellow-card moment for Scottish football.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL Chief Executive: “We have only been able to restart matches thanks to the enormous efforts and sacrifices of literally thousands of people across the Scottish game. For anyone to put that in jeopardy in such a thoughtless and selfish manner is just beyond belief.
“The vast majority of players and officials who have strictly observed the necessary restrictions will rightly see this as a real kick in the teeth.
“Everyone knows that this season’s fixture schedule is already horrendously tight without having to reschedule matches because of the irresponsible actions of a handful of players.”
Sturgeon: Aberdeen and Celtic should not play after Covid breaches
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53736447
Celtic and Aberdeen should not be playing matches this week after their players broke lockdown rules, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli flew to Spain without the club’s knowledge, failed to quarantine, then played in Sunday’s match against Kilmarnock.
Ms Sturgeon said this was a “flagrant breach” of the guidelines.
The previous weekend eight Aberdeen players broke lockdown regulations by visiting a bar together.
Ms Surgeon told her daily briefing: “As a minimum, you should not be expecting to see Aberdeen or Celtic play in the coming week.”
Follow the latest news on coronavirus in Scotland
The first minister said she did not want rule-abiding clubs and players, plus fans, to be punished for the individual breaches.
But she warned: “Consider today the yellow card. The next time it will be the red card because you will leave us with absolutely no choice.”
What games were scheduled?
St Mirren v Celtic – Wednesday, 12 August at 18:00
Aberdeen v Hamilton – Wednesday, 12 August at 19:45
Celtic v Aberdeen – Saturday, 15 August at 15:00
Ms Sturgeon said news of Bolingoli’s breach came through while the national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, was holding a meeting with the managers and captains of Scotland’s top flight clubs to reinforce the importance of the guidance.
She said: “This is just not acceptable.
“Every day I stand here and ask members of the public to make huge sacrifices on how they live their lives. The vast majority are doing that and it’s not easy. We can’t have privileged football players just deciding that they are not going to bother. This can’t go on.”
Talks are continuing with the football authorities, and an update is expected later on Tuesday.
Ms Sturgeon indicated “very clear penalties” will be in place for players and clubs when the rules are breached.
Image copyright BBC Sport
Image caption Boli Bolingoli said he was “guilty of an error of judgement”
The first minister said footballers are “talented, skilled, hard-working professionals” and “well-rewarded” role models.
But she added: “I don’t think it is too much to ask them to live up to that, and that is all we are asking.”
Prof Leitch said footballers who flout the regulations pose a risk to public health and endanger the return of all elite sport.
He said Bolingoli had travelled to a “high risk country” then went to work and “put both his team and the opposing team at risk of catching coronavirus.
“There has to be an implication of that in public health terms for those he was in contact with and their contact with others.”
Image copyright SNS
Image caption Eight Aberdeen players are self-isolating
Bolingoli played in Sunday’s match against Kilmarnock even though he should have been self-isolating.
The defender said he was “guilty of an error of judgement” and apologised.
Celtic apologised and said his actions were “beyond explanation”. All players and backroom staff have since been tested twice and returned negative results.
Eight Aberdeen players have apologised for visiting a bar at the centre of a Covid-19 outbreak.
Two of the players later tested positive for the virus, while six are currently self-isolating.