Stop playing football to help save our communities, says Nairn St Ninian
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FOOTBALL must stop at all levels during lockdown to protect communities as the number of Covid-19 cases rises across the country.
That is the view of Nairn St Ninian, who have announced they will not play or train again until current lockdown restrictions are lifted.
The club, who play in the North Region Junior Football Association, made the decision over safety fears to their players and management as well as to the town of Nairn.
In addition, the North Caledonian Football Association, whose members include Inverness Athletic, Loch Ness and Nairn County Reserves, held a meeting last night to decide if they should suspend their season.
But the Scottish Professional Football League and Highland League say they will continue to play league and cup competitions during lockdown.
Nairn St Ninian treasurer James Wallace believes football has to stop to help control the virus. He says if only two people from two households can meet outside, it isn’t right for matches to be played.
“It doesn’t sit right us with us at all that other people have to stay in the house while we get to go outside and kick a ball,” he said.
“A number of junior clubs are of the same opinion that they are not comfortable playing either.
“We want to protect our players, management, committee and our community.
“It is not the right thing, it is not essential. We want to play football, but we have to show solidarity for everybody else right now.
“We don’t want to do it, but everyone at the club is unanimous.
“During lockdown, nobody should be playing football in these kind of circumstances.
“Our football club feels it is not right when everything is restricted, clubs are allowed to go out and play.”
A number of members of the North Caledonian Football Association indicated they were in favour of their season being suspended before last night’s vote.
NCFA president Iain Whitehead believes it is not the right time to play during a lockdown.
Speaking before last night’s vote, Whitehead said: “We can continue if we want to, but we have to discuss whether we think it is right to keep playing at our level.
“With virus numbers increasing in the Highlands, it might be decided for us.
“But at the moment, we are in control over whether we can start and stop the season.
“We are just looking to pause the season and then wait until it is safe to start again.
“But waiting for the restrictions to be lifted may be the best time to start playing matches again.”
Before the start of the Highland League in November, Forres Mechanics decided to withdraw for one season only due to fears of the impact of Covid-19 on football.
Highland League secretary Rod Houston says there are no plans to suspend their season and no other SHFL club has come forward expressing suggestions to do so.
“We are part of the professional game board and we have been told it is business as normal,” he said.
“The Scottish Government posted exemptions to the restrictions and professional sport is one.
“Until we are told otherwise, we will be carrying on.
“No club has been in touch with us about it.”
