Scottish Premier League officials have told member clubs that swine flu will only affect fixtures if a significant number of players contract the virus. Rangers midfielder Jerome Rothen is believed to be the first SPL player to be struck down, with the on-loan Frenchman returning to Paris for treatment.
Rothen, on loan from French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain, sat out Tuesday night’s Champions League defeat at the hands of Stuttgart with what was said to be sinus problems, but club doctors now believe that he has the H1N1 virus.
His team’s match at Aberdeen on Saturday will go ahead regardless, with the SPL saying that they will only consider scratching games if a full squad becomes ill or if there is the possibility of widespread infection.
SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "In line with our long-standing policy and consistent with UEFA's recent announcement in respect of its competitions.
“As long as a club has enough eligible players to make up a squad, then their Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches will go ahead as scheduled.
"Other footballing authorities have communicated a similar position recently and we felt it was important that our clubs and their supporters understood our approach."
Despite becoming what is thought to be the first SPL player to catch swine flu, Rothen, 31, isn’t the first French footballer to be struck down. His parent club PSG had their game with Olympique Marseille postponed in October just six hours before kick-off after three players – including former Ger Jeremy Clement – were diagnosed with the virus.
Montpellier’s game at Monaco scheduled for Saturday November 28 has also been postponed after three members of the visitor’s squad were said to have swine flu.
Rothen – who is on a season-long loan from PSG – is expected to be on the sidelines for several weeks as he battles to recover from the illness.
