St Johnstone have expressed disappointment at the postponement of their Premiership match with Aberdeen in the wake of positive Covid-19 tests returned by two Dons players.
Saints also vowed to update fans as soon as possible on the rescheduling of the game which was due to be shown live on Sky Sports tomorrow
They said: “This weekend’s Scottish Premiership fixture against Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park has been postponed.
“The club is disappointed at the news of this postponement but the health and wellbeing of everybody is of paramount importance in this situation.
“We’re also disappointed for our Season Ticket holders and supporters who were looking forward to watching the match.
“We will keep you updated with news regarding the rescheduling of this fixture.”
Pittodrie boss Derek McInnes was set to be without EIGHT first-team stars for the visit to Perth.
But the match was axed less than 24 hours after Scottish football’s Joint Response Group (JRG) said it would still go ahead.
The Aberdeen players who tested positive – along with six other members of the first-team squad who have been in close proximity to the duo – are self-isolating.
The JRG today said: “Following a meeting this morning between the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick, the Scottish FA Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell, and the Chief Executive of the SPFL, Neil Doncaster, to further examine the circumstances around the self-isolation of eight Aberdeen FC players, a request was received from Scottish Government – and agreement reached – to postpone Saturday’s Scottish Premiership match against St Johnstone.
“There is an evolving public health outbreak in Aberdeen and the minister conveyed the need for additional work to provide further assurance around Aberdeen FC’s adherence to the agreed protocols.
“Given the overriding responsibility to public health, the subsequent advice and discussion with the minister this morning means that the Joint Response Group must adhere to the request to postpone the match.”
All eyes have been on the Granite City over the last few days as far as the coronavirus in Scotland is concerned, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon increasing lockdown restrictions for seven days on Wednesday due to a spike in cases.
Bars and restaurants were ordered to close, there is a five-mile travel limit for leisure activities and people from outside Aberdeen have been encouraged not to travel there.
The Dons stars’ positive tests are said to be linked to a city centre Covid-19 cluster.
