Peterhead manager Jim McInally has serious fears for Scottish football if crowds can’t return next month.
Although today’s games between Aberdeen and Kilmarnock at Pittodrie and Ross County and Celtic at Victoria Park are being used as trial games with 300 supporters present, the Scottish Government’s indicative date for crowds returning is now October 5.
That could yet be delayed further and, with the League Cup group stage beginning a day later and the lower leagues and Highland League starting on October 17, McInally has stressed the importance of crowds returning.
Scotland’s longest-serving manager said: “My worry is that if we get to October and start and there’s no crowds and that goes onto November then I think football could be stopped because clubs won’t be able to play.
“It won’t be viable and I’m not just talking about clubs in the lower leagues.
“Premiership clubs can’t afford to keep on playing with no fans, they could struggle as much as anyone.
“Particularly when they’re continuing to have to test for Covid-19 and, once James Anderson’s money has been used, it will be even tougher.
“That’s why I think at some point that pressure has to be put on the Scottish Government to allow businesses to function again and to allow people to make decisions about how they make their lives.
“Football has suffered already, but unfortunately I think there is more suffering to come.
“I hope the government are aware of the number of people employed as a result of football in this country, but if they are aware it doesn’t seem like they care too much.
“People might think I’m out of order with what I say, but everyone’s got an opinion, and mine is that people need to be trusted to make their own decisions in life.
“If somebody doesn’t want to go and watch football or go to a pub they won’t do it, but I don’t think we should give up hope of allowing those who want to do it the chance to do so.”