Aberdeen allow all fans in for Celtic game regardless of vaccine proof

Aberdeen Football Club will allow all fans with a ticket into their clash with Celtic on Sunday regardless of whether they can prove their vaccine status or not.

The announcement comes after problems were encountered with the rollout of Scotland’s Covid vaccine app on Thursday.

The Pittodrie club say they have been conducting their own testing along with feedback from fans regarding the scheme and decided to postpone a planned trial this weekend as a result.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed all businesses will be given a grace period of two weeks after the app launches before they are legally required to make sure everyone at events that fall under the ruling have proof of vaccination.

The two-week delay was to allow organisations to “test, adapt and build confidence in practical arrangements”, something the Dons had planned to do.

But with less than two days to go until they host the Hoops, Aberdeen say the issues with the app combined with unanswered questions about implementation have forced them to reconsider plans for testing the scheme.

The club said in a statement: “We’ve gone to extraordinary lengths to pull off our test plans for Sunday’s game but, having just received quite lengthy guidance today, it’s impossible to digest and train our staff and stewards in less than 48 hours and, as a result, no-one will be asked to show proof of vaccine.

“We fully appreciate the confusion this has now caused as well as the controversy surrounding the scheme.

“According to our recent survey, the majority of our fans are double vaccinated. But there are others who are not and also those who feel strongly about having to show proof of vaccines.

“Equally, there are supporters very much in favour of showing proof of vaccine.

“The controversial scheme is costing the club time and money to implement. Indeed, our staff have spent most of this week dealing solely with its implications and our ticket office continues to be inundated with calls from fans worried they will not get in because they cannot access the app.

“To accommodate more than 10,000 fans at Pittodrie, we will have to comply fully with the scheme when it is enforced.

“In the meantime, we will continue to collate feedback from fans on this and make representations to the Scottish Government as we work with them over the next few weeks. It is our understanding that the scheme will be reviewed by MSPs every three weeks.

“While the club will have no choice in the matter once the scheme is enforced, our fans can choose to take the steps required to gain entry or not. If season ticket members are unwilling to comply with these steps, then they will still have access to their virtual season ticket.”