SPORT fixtures between schools have been stopped by Glasgow City Council to “minimise risk” of Covid-19 transmission.

The education department took the decision to halt inter-school matches so fewer children are meeting each other.

Pupils can continue to play among their own school groupings.

The decision applies to all school sport where the responsibility lies with the council.

Parents have criticised the decision to stop primary school children’s football matches as current guidance allows under 18s to play.

READ MORE: Pupil tests positive for Covid-19 at Glasgow's Rosshall Academy

School teams affiliated to the Scottish FA will be able to follow its guidance, with the FA’s website setting out the football activity permitted under each of the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 protection levels.

Glasgow is in level three, where matches are allowed for those under 18 within their own council area or neighbouring area, which must also be at level three.

One parent, Mark McCluskey, who lives in the East End, said his son, in P7, is “feeling pretty down” after the decision.

“He plays for a community club but it’s not like playing for your school,” he said.

“My boy says it’s like your country. On his day visit from nursery, the school was playing a game and he said he couldn’t wait to play for them, he was 4.

“That’s been one day since the decision and the wee man is feeling pretty down. What an achievement for the council.”

Another objector to the decision said: "The schools' football training and weekend games provide a welcome release from the misery and isolation that Covid can bring.

"There are currently stringent safeguards in place however healthy children need to remain active children. This is simply knee-jerk reaciton."

A council spokesman said the decision had been taken so a smaller number of pupils would need to self-isolate if there is a positive case.

“Schools are, in everything they do, working hard to stay in line with guidance and circumstances that are changing,” he said.

“School sport is no different. Children are able to take part and train, but within their own school groupings to minimise risk.

“This wasn’t an easy decision; however, it reduces the potential number of contacts if a member of the school community test positive – meaning a smaller number of children required to self-isolate.”

In a statement, the Glasgow Catholic Schools Football Association said the decision had been taken to “ensure safety of everyone involved with primary school football”.

“We appreciate this will be very disappointing for our associated primaries, their footballers and families,” it added.

“Schools generally group children together in classes that do not mix throughout the day within their risk assessments.

“With this in mind, it is not possible for football training between classes or matches versus other schools to take part at this current time.”

The association fully understands and respects the decisions “as it has been made from a health and safety point of view”.

“We look forward to resuming inter-school football matches when it is safe to do so in the future.”