Six Nations 2022: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hopes Scotland matches can 'go ahead to crowds'
- Published
Fan numbers are currently restricted to 500 at Scottish stadiums
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon "very firmly" hopes Six Nations rugby matches at Murrayfield will "go ahead to crowds of supporters" next month.
Current restrictions, in place at least until 17 January, limit attendances in Scottish stadiums to 500 fans.
Scotland host England on 5 February and France three weeks later, but there is speculation the games could be moved.
"I hope very much we won't have to go beyond 17 January with these restrictions," the first minister said.
"All of us, including myself, want to be able to cheer Scotland on at Murrayfield in the Six Nations.
"But I don't do anybody any good if I try to give certainty ahead of our ability to do that. We will continue to use the data and the evidence and reach the judgments to get that clarity as soon as possible.
"I certainly do very firmly hope that these matches will go ahead - and will go ahead to crowds of supporters."
The first minister revealed a £5m funding package for sport as she announced changes to national self-isolation protocols on Wednesday.
Sporting bodies had asked the Scottish government to provide clarity on the return of fans.
Reports suggest plans are being prepared that could lead to all of this year's Six Nations fixtures taking place in England, where full stadiums are still allowed.
Scottish Rugby's preference is to play home fixtures in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Professional Football League had already written to the Scottish government asking if restrictions would be eased before the Premiership clubs return from their winter break on 17 January.
The governing body also asked for clarity on funding for clubs who have lost out financially due to the current restrictions.
The top flight resumes when Hibernian travel to Celtic in a rematch of last month's League Cup final, before a further five matches are staged the following day.
"There are many things I really wish I had over the course of this pandemic and one of them is a crystal ball to be able to see into the future with certainty. I don't say that to be facetious," Sturgeon said.
"It is really difficult, particularly at this stage of a wave of the virus, to be certain about the future. That's why we need to monitor things on a closer-time basis.
"We have right throughout had very good discussions with the SRU [Scottish Rugby Union] about matches at Murrayfield. They have been very constructive at working with us to enable games to go ahead.
"I know how important clarity is for those who cater for big sporting events and not least matches at Murrayfield, so that's very much in our minds as we take decisions."