Funding allocated to help pro sports hit by Covid restrictions

Covid support funding has been allocated to help professional sports impacted by restrictions in Scotland.

A rise in the number of Omicron cases led to a limit of 500 being introduced on outdoor crowds last month.

In response, the Scottish Premiership calendar was rescheduled, with the league bringing forward its planned winter break.

As part of the fund, football will receive a total of £1.79m, whilst rugby will be given £125,000, horse racing will get £265,000, ice hockey will be handed £350,000, and £20,000 has been allocated for basketball.

The allocation comes from the £5m announced for professional sport on January 5 as part of £375m in wider business support.

It will support up to 75% of losses after the Omicron outbreak ahead of the crowd capacity restrictions being lifted on January 17.

Sports minister Maree Todd said the Scottish Government will continue to work in partnership to help all sports clubs.

“These sports clubs are at the heart of their communities, but many of them have suffered real hardships as the necessary Covid-19 lockdown restrictions meant attendances were heavily restricted,” she said.

“This funding will help to ensure clubs are able to bridge the gap in revenue, as spectators return safely to sports events in larger numbers when these restrictions are eased next week.

“This Government has pledged to provide funding to support organisations affected by the necessary measures to keep us all safe and these allocations show we are doing this.

“We will continue to work in partnership to support all our sports clubs to help them through this difficult time and to ensure this funding can be accessed by all clubs as efficiently as possible.”