The Sunday Post print an apology to Aberdeen midfielder

The Sunday Post have chosen to print an apology to one particular Aberdeen midfielder on the back page of today’s paper (Sunday 16 August 2020).

The media outlet apologised to Niall McGinn after publishing his picture as one of the Aberdeen eight in a back page splash last weekend.

Yet it turned out that he wasn’t in fact one of those to have broke coronavirus guideline rules since the restart of the Scottish Premiership season.

@Sunday_Post You may want to ask Danny Stewart to apologise to Niall McGinn. The aforementioned should read Dylan McGeouch instead; pic.twitter.com/ZTBh2RdnPv

— Geordie Alba (@alba_geordie) August 9, 2020

The apology said: “On our back page last week we published a photograph of Aberdeen footballer Niall McGinn and said he was one of eight players who had apologised for breaching Covid-related guidelines around socialising.

“However, Mr McGinn was not involved and had broken no rules. We correctly identified the players involved inside and the mistake on our back page was due to failures in our production systems.

“We would like to apologise to Mr McGinn for any embarassment caused by our mistake.”

Two Premiership games of Celtic and Aberdeen’s have been postponed after high-profile breaches of coronavirus quarantine rules.

Celtic’s Boli Bolingoli broke quarantine rules – days after Aberdeen players tested positive for coronavirus – following a visit to a bar in Spain ahead of the match and did not quarantine on his return, something the club were unaware of until after the game.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused players of being “incapable of living up to their responsibilities”, and added that the league season could be forced to be halted again.

Chair of the Joint Response Group, Rod Petrie, warned clubs there would be “no more scope” for further breaches.

“While the decision to postpone these games is deeply regrettable nevertheless in the circumstances it is unavoidable and uncontestable,” he said.

“The JRG members were astounded to learn of the recklessness demonstrated by Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo in his breach of government public health guidance and football protocols. We echo the sentiments of Celtic FC in their condemnatory statement and commend the club’s swiftness in opening a disciplinary investigation.

“That this comes on the back of eight Aberdeen players showing similar disregard for public health is disrespectful not just to every football team-mate, fellow player and colleague but also to every fan in this country. It is also hugely damaging to the image, reputation and sustainability of the game.

“We sympathise with the position this puts the Scottish Government in as the country is tentatively easing its way out of lockdown restrictions.

“We agree wholeheartedly with the unequivocal message relayed to managers and captains by the National Clinical Director for Scotland, Professor Jason Leitch, last night. Clubs and players are in no doubt that there is now no more margin for error and no more scope for further breaches.”

The SPFL’s chief executive Neil Doncaster added: “We have only been able to restart matches thanks to the enormous efforts and sacrifices of literally thousands of people across the Scottish game.

“For anyone to put that in jeopardy in such a thoughtless and selfish manner is just beyond belief.

“The vast majority of players and officials who have strictly observed the necessary restrictions will rightly see this as a real kick in the teeth.

“Everyone knows that this season’s fixture schedule is already horrendously tight without having to reschedule matches because of the irresponsible actions of a handful of players.”

Nicola Sturgeon has warned clubs that the Premiership season could be suspended if there are further breaches of coronavirus protocols.

“I don’t want the season to be in jeopardy. I don’t want people who are not responsible for this to pay the price but we have to be very clear that this situation is not acceptable,” she said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“We’ll set out the conclusion of the talks later today but as a minimum, you should not expect to see Aberdeen or Celtic play over the course of the coming week.

“By putting this as clearly as I can in language that the football world will understand, consider today the yellow card. The next time it will be the red card because you will leave us with absolutely no choice.”

Meanwhile, majority of the Scottish Premiership clubs have played four games so far in the 2020/21 campaign. Below is the results and league table…

Saturday 15th August

Hamilton Academical 0-1 St Mirren
Kilmarnock 1-2 St. Johnstone
Ross County 1-2 Dundee United
Hibernian 0-0 Motherwell

Wednesday 12th August

Motherwell 2-2 Livingston
Rangers 3-0 St. Johnstone
Ross County 2-2 Kilmarnock

Tuesday 11th August

Dundee United 0-1 Hibernian

Sunday 9th August

Rangers 3-0 St Mirren
Kilmarnock 1-1 Celtic

Saturday 8th August

Hamilton Academical 0-1 Ross County
Livingston 1-4 Hibernian
Motherwell 0-1 Dundee United

Monday 3rd August

Ross County 1-0 Motherwell

Sunday 2nd August

Celtic 5-1 Hamilton Academical

Saturday 1st August

Aberdeen 0-1 Rangers
Dundee United 1-1 St. Johnstone
Hibernian 2-1 Kilmarnock
St Mirren 1-0 Livingston

Fans reacted before The Sunday Post chose to print an apology to the Aberdeen midfielder…

I hope Niall gets himself a very good solicitor and sues for defamation.

— Andy C ??????????? (@andycam71) August 9, 2020

Poor @nmcginn10 , deserves better than this shoddy reporting. Niall has undoubtedly been one of those that’s been a shining light @ the club & also in the community in these dark times!

— STEPHEN HARVEY (@4theharv) August 9, 2020

A disgrace. Then again what do you expect?

— Jonathan Main (@jonnymain2011) August 9, 2020

Even with all the work done for them they still muck it up?

— Kenny Carle (@CarleKenny) August 9, 2020

I haven’t purchased any printed press for so long because of lazy journalism just like this should be a full apology printed to @nmcginn10 who has done so much in the community during these difficult times

— Dougie Henderson (@Dougiethedons) August 9, 2020

I’d be demanding an apology @nmcginn10 @AberdeenFC

— Stevie Ferguson ⭐️⭐️ ??????? (@Stevie1903) August 9, 2020

@Sunday_Post care to explain how you have included a picture of niall McGinn here please???

— Scott Forsyth (@scottyfor) August 9, 2020

That shitty excuse for a Newspaper is still going. reading that paper made me feel like I was sitting in church

— Tommy Shooter (@shooter_tommy) August 9, 2020

Absolute disgrace @Sunday_Post
Danny Stewart should make an immediate full apology for this hugely unprofessional error

— Willie Davidson (@willie1305) August 9, 2020

Sue them Niall

— gordon taylor (@gordontaylor9) August 9, 2020