'Stop it': SFA tells clubs they shouldn't be training

The Scottish FA has warned football clubs across the country that they should not be holding group training sessions during the coronavirus crisis.

The governing body has told clubs that the public are being told not to gather in large groups for fear of increasing the spread of the disease – and they say football clubs are no different to anyone else.

In a statement from the SFA/SPFL Joint Response Group, the football authorities noted that some clubs were still holding training sessions and going against previous guidance. The group said that they wanted to “remind members in the strongest possible terms that they desist from conducting training sessions under their auspices”.

‘Please stop it. I urge everyone involved in the game to do what we can to safeguard public health as best we can. ‘
Ian Maxwell

The sooner you stay at home the sooner we can get back to the football.

Please do the right thing. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/zjS1blMNdd
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 23, 2020

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive said: “I would urge our members, and especially our Affiliated National Associations responsible for grassroots football, to ensure clubs observe social distancing guidance outlined by government.

“While many of the instances have been anecdotal, I have seen it for myself this weekend. Please stop it. I urge everyone involved in the game to do what we can to safeguard public health as best we can.

“The message from the First Minister, which was reiterated today, could not be clearer when she said ‘the advice that is being given to people is not to be seen as optional’. That applies to football as it does across society.

“We have been in touch today with Jason Leitch, Scotland’s National Clinical Director, and his message is equally clear: do not gather in groups. He also outlined the importance of exercise but that it is done alone, or in very small family groups, whilst observing social distancing guidelines, and advised people to look at the many online classes now offered.”

Since the decision to suspend football across the country, professional clubs have told players to train on their own, with many foreign players being allowed to return to their home countries until further notice.