Scottish Government's interference could end SPFL season due to players' stupidity
Protocol has already been broken on a number of occasions and there is no a growing fear that the Scottish Government will suspend the season if it continues.
Following on from Rangers’ breaching testing regulations, eight Aberdeen players going on the ran dan, and Leigh Griffiths flouting house party restictions in clear violation of protocols imposed on Scottish Football and Scotland as a whole, Celtic full back Boli Bolingoli has now added his name to the growing band of halfwits that are putting this season at risk of being suspended by the Scottish Government.
With Celtic chasing an historic 10 league titles in a row, it is a hugely important season for everyone at the club and for one of their players to not only risk that, but more importantly the health and well-being of his team mates, management and everyone else at the club - it is a clear violation and must be severely punished despite his apology. An apology made only because he has been caught.
Following the news that Bolingoli had breached protocol, Celtic issued a statement saying: "Celtic Football Club has taken its response to Covid-19 extremely seriously and we are pleased that, to date, we have recorded no positive tests.
"Our staff have given so much in this area, working tirelessly to ensure that all players and other club personnel are safe, fully aware of their own responsibilities and familiar with all guidance and protocols. Safety must always be our priority.
"Clearly, a full investigation will now take place and the club will take all appropriate action.
"Subsequent to the player's return he has recorded two negative tests in the past week."
And with Justice Minister Humza Yousaf implying that the Scottish Government could be left with little choice but to suspend the Scottish football season - it could spell huge trouble for players, staff and clubs alike. Football clubs had to deal with five months of lockdown measures imposed which resulted in no gate receipts, no money coming into the club at all, leading to players being released, taking a reduction in their wages, and some having to dig deep into their own coffers or take out loans that would otherwise not have been needed. But for the game to be suspended again due to the ignorance and stupidity of a handful of players could spell the end for some clubs and see back room staff and players made unemployed or released respectively.
Posting on twitter, Yousaf said: "Utterly unacceptable from Bolingoli. With a number of incidents, Scot Govt left with little choice but to consider whether pause is now needed in resumption of the game.
"Operational matter for Border Force & Police Scot, I support whatever enforcement action they deem necessary."
The first action that must take place is for Bolingoli to be quarantined for 14 days. That is a must. Secondly, the club then must make an example of him - and for that matter Leigh Griffiths for his breach - once the club investigations on each player is concluded. A fine and a playing ban is the bare minimum that both must be hit with. Griffiths is almost surely on his last chance, while this could effectively end Bolingoli’s Celtic career.
It would almost certainly be different if it was Odsonne Edouard or Callum McGregor that had breached the rules, but with Bolingoli it would be less damaging to end his time in Glasgow whether the club get a transfer fee from him or not. It would certainly send a message to other players at the club that if you breach protocol, if you selfishly risk the health and safety of your team mates and others at the club then you will face the sack.
While the Scottish Government consider suspending Scottish football, this is an extreme measure and I think it would be highly unlikely to occur unless such an incident happens again, especially after Government officials on Monday evening held talks with the 12 Premiership managers and club captains to remind them of their responsibilities over the protocols imposed.
Whether Bolingoli travelled to Spain with or without permission from Celtic is beside the point, the bigger issue was the fact that he breached protocol by not quarantining for 14 days and returned without telling the club where he had been. Following the Aberdeen debacle all the players were reminded of their responsibilities and yet knowing this Bolingoli still travelled to Spain and refused to quarantine himself so that he could be in the match day squad for Sunday, playing for the last three minutes of the 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock.
It has also now become apparent that manager Neil Lennon questionable gave the players time off after last weekend’s win over Hamilton Accies, ahead of a tough trip to Rugby Park. Questions must surely be asked why this happened in the first place as we were only one league game into the season and players should be looking to increase their match fitness not get another holiday after five months out.
With Bolingoli’s breach of protocol coupled with the pitiful showing against Killie, it is now clear to me that Lennon must hold his hands up and take responsibility and learn from this. Certainly he should not be giving players time off so early on in the season, especially against teams that have caused trouble for us on the pitch previously and it was naive of Lennon to even consider giving them time off let alone actually giving them it - whether it was one day, two days or four days.
For Bolingoli it must now be time to part ways to set an example, while Griffiths must be read the riot act and warned that one further infraction will cost him his Celtic career. Celtic must make a stand and to set an example for others to follow, whether the fans like it or not. Whether the Scottish PFA get involved.
If they don’t then another incident could not only cost Celtic their historic 10-in-a-row, but it could also cause backroom staff to lose their jobs including at Celtic. And whoever costs Celtic that will be public enemy number one among Celtic fans. Worse than Mo Johnston signing for Rangers, worse than when the rat Brendan Rodgers ditched us in the middle of the season to sign for mid-table Leicester City in the English Premiership.
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