St Mirren boss blasts plans for vaccine passports in Scottish football

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin has criticised plans to ask fans to show “vaccine passports” before being allowed to attend some football matches.

Goodwin believes the scheme is undemocratic and suggested it would restrict the rights of supporters.

The Scottish Government is voting on Thursday on the proposal to require proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 for entry to nightclubs, adult entertainment venues and large events. That would include football stadia with a capacity of more than 10,000 people.

While the scheme wouldn’t apply to St Mirren’s home games due to the capacity of their stadium, it would affect fans at a number of club stadia, as well as at international games.

Goodwin thinks individuals should have a right to choose not to be vaccinated without it affecting their freedom to go to a football match.

“Personally, I’m against it,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s very democratic and it’s not something I would be urging the government to do.

“I think, as I’ve said in months gone by, people should have a decision and have a right to make a choice in whether they get vaccinated or not.

“This having to show vaccine passports when you want to go to concerts or a game of football is not something that I would encourage at all.

“That’s just my opinion on it. I know people out there will jump all over it and ask what education I’ve got on politics. I’ve got none, but I’ve got an opinion on things and I believe that people have the right to a choice.”

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has already said that he would anticipate “huge difficulties” in applying the scheme, but Goodwin went further, calling on the football authorities to stand against the plans.

“I don’t believe this is something we should be forced into,” he added.

“I hope the SFA and the governing bodies and all the clubs stand up to it and don’t agree to this kind of thing happening.”