Aberdeen 8 hit with heavy fines as Dons 'severely reprimand' players for COVID rule breach

The players will donate the money to charity with the club still angry at their actions.

Aberdeen have handed out fines to the eight players who were forced to self-isolate after a night out in the city centre.

The Dons haven't played since the opening game of the season after a host of their top players went for a meal and then onto a pub following their defeat to Rangers.

The players had broke government guidelines on the number of households that were allowed to meet up, with people not allowed to gather with more than eight people from three households.

Two players tested positive for COVID-19 and they now need to fit three games into their schedule - which is already congested, something that seriously angered manager Derek McInnes.

And Aberdeen have hit the players in their pockets with the fine money all going to charity.

The eight players - Jonny Hayes, Scott McKenna, Sam Cosgrove, Craig Bryson, Bruce Anderson, Dylan McGeouch, Matty Kennedy and Mikey Devlin - have also been warned over their conduct by the club.

The positive tests lead to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon slamming them at her daily briefing and she was further enraged when it emerged Boli Bolingoli had flown to Spain when given days off by Celtic.

An Aberdeen statement said: “These players made a huge mistake. They not only went against government guidance but also breached our own COVID-19 procedures, set out by the club to all players and staff.

"Due to the privilege that has been afforded to professional footballers, and having witnessed the outrage and anger their actions provoked, they are in no doubt that they have let themselves and the Club down. They are truly sorry and have apologised unreservedly to the First Minster, health and footballing authorities, the fans, the Manager, the rest of the squad, our staff and board and the wider community.

“As a result of our investigation, these players have been severely reprimanded and fined heavily. Contractually, the specifics must remain confidential between the club and each player but, rest assured, the financial fines are in line with the severity of the consequences of their actions.

“The club has chosen to donate these fines to NHS Grampian.

“We fully appreciate the outpouring of dismay and anger by those who have been impacted by this virus, by those who have worked selflessly to protect us and by our fans, who have, despite health and financial worries, supported the Club with their hard-earned cash during this period.

“Their actions were indefensible but the investigation has been completed, they have apologised, they have been punished by the club, and are suffering the humiliation that goes with making a mistake in the public eye.

“The club, like every employer, has a duty of care to its staff and we must also consider the wellbeing of these players, who continue to face an ongoing barrage of criticism and personal abuse from many quarters. They’ve been taught the harshest of lessons and have the chance to redeem themselves and help demonstrate that the Club is better and bigger than this regrettable episode.

“I can only hope that Dons fans and the Aberdeen community will remember the tremendously positive work the club and trust, including staff, volunteers and the players, have delivered during this pandemic, and help us all heal from this.”