NICOLA STURGEON has announced that football fans in Scotland could be back in stadiums by September.

Scotland's first minister told of plans to reopen stadia for a limited number of spectators from September 14 at today's daily briefing.

She said: "We hope that sports stadia will be able to open from that day with limited numbers of spectators albeit with physical distancing in place.

"Some professional sports events may be arranged for spectators before then with Scottish government agreement to test the safety of any new arrangements."

In addition it is hoped indoor sports courts will be able to reopen from the same date, with physical distancing.

The Scottish Government also intends for soft play facilities to resume from September 14.

The First Minister announced the same indicative date for reopening for gyms and swimming pools - although she stressed these places posed a "particular risk and require a cautious approach".

She said the situation would be reviewed again in three weeks' time "and if it is judged reasonable to do so, we will seek to accelerate this to the end of August".