Organisers of a controversial football fan zone feared Scottish Government officials did not understand the plans days before it opened, documents reveal.
Emails released by Glasgow City Council span the months leading up to the launch of the Euros fan zone in Glasgow Green and reveal organisers’ apparent frustration.
The fan zone allowed 6,000 fans a day – 3,000 per session – to enjoy the games on giant screens at a socially-distanced beer garden but critics said it was irresponsible when Level 2 restrictions remained in place and questioned the failure to demand fans prove they had tested negative.
In an email on June 1 – 10 days before the fan zone opened – project lead Joanne Deponio said government clinicians “did not appear to have an understanding of the event plans”.
The emails also reveal concern at the lack of mandatory testing of people in the fan zone.
Glasgow Life offered to implement mandatory testing which they said could be operational by June 20, more than a week after the fan zone opened. But an email to Deponio from a government official the day before the Euros began said Health Minister Humza Yousaf had indicated this was “not an immediate priority”. Temperature checks were also abandoned at the request of organisers.
The same email said testing kits should be posted to ticket holders as a matter of urgency so they would arrive before Scotland’s match with Czech Republic on June 14.
Nearly 2,000 Covid cases in Scotland linked to gathering football fans
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “The Health Secretary said safety measures for the fan zone were in hand. But the decision to post tests to ticket holders the day after Scottish Liberal Democrats called for it showed they were making decisions on the hoof.”
The documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws also show ministers agreed to an exemption from capacity limits on outdoor gatherings. When the fan zone opened, restrictions said a maximum of 250 people were permitted but the fan zone was told it could have 3,000 per session – 6,000 a day.
All 6,000 tickets for today’s events at the fan zone – including the Euros final – have been snapped up.
Dozens of Covid cases have been linked to the fan zone by Public Health Scotland and days before it opened national clinical director Jason Leitch admitted there would be people attending who had Covid.
The Scottish Government said: “Decisions about testing and other arrangements at the fan zone have been taken jointly by the Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, Public Health Scotland and other partners.
“Attendance has provided an opportunity for people to gather safely in a controlled environment – with necessary physical distancing and hygiene measures in place. The fan zone has been ticketed with people’s contact details recorded to allow for any tracing if needed.”
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