FANS should be allowed into Hampden to watch Scotland compete in the Euros, the Scottish Conservative leader has said.
Douglas Ross demanded the Tartan Army be allowed to cheer the team on at Scotland's national stadium ahead of Uefa's April 7 deadline for countries to submit plans for the championship games.
It comes after reports that football's governing body was considering moving four fixtures out of Scotland if ministers ruled that stadiums should stay mostly empty for matches.
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Mr Ross thinks Scotland's low rate of Covid infections and the success of the vaccination roll-out mean it will be safe for fans to watch in person at the South Side stadium.
He said: "All our sacrifices have helped to suppress the virus and it would be unfortunate if the Scottish Government made a wrong call on this.
“I have always said that public health is paramount but there is the risk of being too cautious here. This is a time for optimism.
“We have seen other countries allowing fans into sports venues in a safe and responsible manner. We can do the same, at the right capacity to ensure fans are not put at risk.
“To play to empty seats would be terrible, but to lose these fixtures entirely would be a real body blow to fans and the wider Scottish public."
The four Hampden fixtures include Scotland v the Czech Republic on Monday, June 14 and Croatia v Scotland on Tuesday, June 22.
The Scottish Government was approached for comment.
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