Interesting developments, copied from daily record
“On Thursday, though, an
Aberdeen player returned a positive test, with a second player testing positive for COVID-19 later the same day.
Now the
SPFL and SFA joint response group has confirmed that EIGHT players will have to self-isolate for two weeks, decimating Derek McInnes' squad for their upcoming fixtures.
As well as St Johnstone, Aberdeen face Hamilton in a midweek fixture before travelling to Glasgow to face Celtic, with Dons chief Dave Cormack promising a full investigation.“
A statement said: "The Joint Response Group has been informed that Aberdeen FC has returned two preliminary positive tests for COVID-19 among its playing squad.
"One player has now been confirmed as a positive by a follow-up National Health Service test, while the second player is awaiting the result of a follow-up NHS test.
"In light of the First Minister’s increased restrictions imposed on the city of Aberdeen since a significant outbreak of COVID-19 this week, and following further investigation by NHS Grampian’s Health Protection Team, the Scottish Government has instructed that both players will require to self-isolate, along with a further six players found to have been in close proximity to the initial positive player.
"The initial positive player will require to self-isolate for 10 days from yesterday, with the remaining seven players to self-isolate for 14 days from yesterday.
"This instruction for self-isolation has been unanimously endorsed by the Joint Response Group. In light of the action taken, and after consultation with Scottish Government, Aberdeen’s Scottish Premiership match against St Johnstone on Saturday will go ahead as scheduled."
Cormack said: “After Saturday’s game, with all eyes on Pittodrie, we were once again commended on the stringent processes and measures we had in place. Given the efforts of everyone at the club and our investment in protecting our most valuable assets, this is a bitter blow”
With two first team players testing positive for COVID-19, plus six others having to isolate for 14 days, it is also a harsh reminder of the severity and speed of spread of this virus.
“The club will be carrying out a full investigation but, as an immediate first step, we have reinforced the Club’s COVID-19 protocols and the governing bodies’ guidance with every player and member of staff and will continue to regularly educate and remind everyone of what is, and what is not, acceptable in the current climate.
We now have to focus on preparing for Saturday’s game under extremely difficult circumstances.”
Rod Petrie, chair of the JRG, issued a reminder to all clubs of the importance of following protocol.
He said: "Given the circumstances, we issue the strongest possible message to all clubs to ensure compliance with the twice-weekly testing procedure and Scottish football’s Return to Playing Protocol. It is imperative that everyone adheres to Scottish government public health advice”
At very best we’ll be playing a much weakened Aberdeen team, at worse they’ll postpone the game......
then the Dutch pair Nullen unt Voider would make a comeback 
videocelts.com
