Ready For The Big Kick-Off In The Zone

 » Euro fan zone gets approval despite spiralling Covid cases  » Outraged hospitality chiefs say the decision will hit trade Euros fan zone for 3000 gets OK despite Covid cases rising and pub owners claiming it will hit their business

- Vivienne Aitken

A DECISION to go ahead with a Euro 2020 fan zone for 3000 people has caused outrage.

Covid cases are soaring, plus hospitality leaders say the plan will hit booze sales.

A EURO 2020 fan zone for 3000 people has been given the go-ahead as “low risk” despite spiraling numbers of Covid cases in the last week.

Last night, the hospitality sector was enraged by the decision which they fear will not only cause a spread of the virus but will also affect trade.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said the area set aside at Glasgow Green was big enough to accommodate 80,000 in normal times, so a 3000 capacity would be safe.

But he said there would be close monitoring of the rise in cases and permission could be withdrawn if there was a significant increase.

He said: ”We are working closely with the Scottish FA, Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland, and other partners on preparations for Euro 2020 including the four matches at Hampden Park and the Glasgow Green fan zone.

“The situation with the virus will be continually reviewed in the run-up to and during the tournament taking into account the latest scientific and clinical advice and local information we get on the ground.”

He said he understood concerns about the fan zone, particularly “in light of the hard sacrifices everyone has made”.

But he insisted: “A fan zone is not about prioritizing football over other priorities. It is about seeking to cater, as far away as possible, for fans who want to watch the matches.