'Totally irresponsible' - Footballers snapped breaching lockdown rules during kickabout outside Edinburgh school

Police were called to deal with a group of “totally irresponsible” footballers who were pictured breaching social distancing rules during a lockdown kickabout in the grounds of an Edinburgh school.

The game of football being played at Drummond Community High School, in the Bellevue area of the city, was seen at about 5:30pm on Thursday evening. Officers attended but there was nobody there upon arrival.

The school is one of Edinburgh City Council's hubs for children of key workers and it is understood the pitch would normally be open for public use, with social distancing maintained for anyone using it for exercise during school hours.

Depute council leader, Cammy Day, said: “It’s been really heartening to see residents across the city, and the country, obeying physical distancing measures. They are in place to keep everyone safe and well so it was totally irresponsible for these individuals to be playing football and risking the health of others including the children of key workers being supported at the school.

A group of eight footballers were pictured playing on Thursday evening outside the school.

“Staff at the hub took the correct course of action by informing police and I would urge everyone to continue complying with the physical distancing measures – they are there for a reason and that is to save lives.”

The image was shared on twitter on Thursday evening along with a post which asked whether the eight footballers pictured happened to “live together” at the school.

The Scottish Government’s guidance during the Covid-19 lockdown says to only leave home to get food, access medical care or to help vulnerable people, once a day exercise alone or with people in your household, and for essential work which can not be done from home.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "The majority of the public have adhered to the guidance and by doing so, they have helped protect the NHS and save lives. The message from the Scottish Government is clear - you should only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, such as food and medicine, for daily exercise, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done at home."

It comes after it emerged earlier this week that vandals had cut padlocks and netting around a five-a-side football pitch in Portobello, breaching lockdown rules for a kickabout.

Powerleague Portobello club bosses posted pictures of the damage and in a Facebook post they said: “We do understand everyone is missing their football and we want to get back as soon as we can but we do have to wait until it is safe to do so I ask that you please refrain from attending Powerleague Portobello until we are able to open again.

“Thanks everyone, hope to see you all soon.”

The pitches, often referred to locally as ‘the Pitz’, are located on the former site of Portobello’s outdoor pool and are closed in line with the Scottish Government's social distancing guidance.