Scottish football clubs owe more than £22m to government in Covid loans

Over £22 million in COVID-related loans from the Scottish government to football clubs remained outstanding at the end of the last financial year. Eleven clubs, all previously in the top flight, took out interest-free loans totaling £25.26 million in 2021. These loans were intended to help with business recovery from the pandemic. Full repayment of these loans is not due until 2042. Despite this, only £2.78 million has been repaid by these clubs up to March 2025. Rangers owe £2.78 million, while Aberdeen owes more than £2.7 million. The significant amount still owed is notable as many top-flight clubs continue to spend freely and receive substantial transfer fees. Several clubs have also benefited from significant European revenues in recent seasons. In contrast, clubs lower down the Scottish football structure received COVID grants. Tragically, two of these clubs, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dumbarton, have since entered administration.