A SCOTTISH football club has apologised to “upset” fans after George Galloway was allowed to attend one of their matches.
The former member of parliament and staunch Unionist went to see Queen of the South play Dundee, his hometown, on Boxing Day.
The entirety of mainland Scotland was moved onto Covid Level 4 at one minute past midnight on December 26, meaning no fans should have been allowed to attend.
However, Galloway tweeted from the match yesterday.
Queen of the South 1- @Charlie26Adam 3 The auld yin abune them a’ pic.twitter.com/5aIZAjarml
— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) December 26, 2020
The tweet sparked ire among fans, with one writing: "Absolutely shocking if you were in attendance at Palmerston when hundreds of loyal fans are absolutely gutted cause they can't attend."
Apologising today for Galloway’s attendance, the Dumfries-based club wrote: “We can confirm that George Galloway did attend our game against Dundee at Palmerston yesterday.
“He was socially distant within an area of the ground where he formed a bubble with his family. All Covid protocols were followed at all times.”
The club added: “We would like to apologise to our supporters who have been upset by his attendance at the match.”
The game ended in a three-one win to Dundee, with the team’s Swedish forward Osman Sow scoring a hat-trick.
Users on social media have expressed their anger, saying it was an "actual disgrace" that Galloway was allowed to attend.
Others took aim at the club's statement, saying it amounted to: "'Sorry you got upset' - not much of an apology", another added: "It’s a Priti Patelesque apology isn’t it!"
The reference was to the Home Secretary's April statement that she was "sorry if people feel there have been failings" around PPE supply during the pandemic.
We would like to apologise to our supporters who have been upset by the attendance of George Galloway at our game v Dundee. > https://t.co/UBTyeyZYbx pic.twitter.com/KbZlxpwyxv
— Queen of the South (@OfficialQosFC) December 27, 2020
A third Twitter user said: "This just sounds like you're sorry that they're upset. What you *should* be apologising for is letting him in at all.
"We all want to see our teams play, we all miss the games, but we all don't get to just turn up and expect to be let in."
Others said they hoped Police Scotland and the Scottish Football Association would "hammer" the club and politician for the Covid rule breach.
Galloway has previously appeared to make public his disdain for coronavirus regulations, saying before the festive period that he would cross the Scottish Border and "[Nicola] Sturgeon won’t stop me".
Police Scotland have been approached for comment.
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