Aberdeen FC have been granted permission to host extra fans at Pittodrie for Sunday’s league opener against Dundee United despite council concerns over Covid safety measures.
The Dons welcomed more than 5,000 fans for the European tie against BK Hacken last Thursday, the first time supporters were allowed to attend a game since a test event last September, and applied for permission to have 6,305 at the first game of the league season this weekend.
Council officers, in a report to the licensing sub-committee, said the Dons and spectators had broadly complied with conditions of that licence, such as social distancing, mask-wearing and testing negative.
However, some problems were identified with fans seen hugging and failing to stick to their allocated seats, as well as queuing and stewarding issues.
Large queues formed both outside the ground and at the toilets, and officers highlighted concerns over a lack of social distancing, while issues were identified with the e-ticketing system in place.
Request approved despite problems
But despite the problems at the Hacken game, the committee approved the club’s request to host extra fans.
Licensing sub-committee convener John Reynolds described the club’s application as “very positive”.
“We have taken into consideration all the reports that came forward, and crucially this had the support of the NHS,” he added.
The committee also granted council officers delegated powers to approve an identical application for the Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie against Austria Wien or Breidablik if the Dons see off BK Hacken in Thursday’s second leg.
However, if the club wants to change its application for that game, it will need to go before the committee.
Main Stand open to supporters
Dons chairman Dave Cormack said: “Aberdeen City Council has approved our latest application which means that a further 640 supporters can be accommodated for this fixture in the Main Stand.
“This is in addition to the 5,665 seats which were available throughout the Main, Merkland and Richard Donald stands for the BK Hacken match.
“As with the test game last Thursday night, this match will be treated as a further step towards demonstrating our capability to host matches safely in-line with the latest local authority and government guidelines and provide confidence and that we can safely accommodate larger crowds.
“Sunday’s league game will again involve additional measures to control access to the stadium and safe movement when inside the ground. The seating areas across the stadium have been divided up to allow for one-metre social distancing in ‘pods’ of two, three or four seats, plus a number of single seats.”
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