Scottish football clubs still owe more than £22m in Covid-related loans from the Scottish government, according to a Guardian freedom of information request. Eleven top-flight clubs took interest-free loans totalling £25.26m in 2021, with full repayment not due until 2042. The outstanding balance as of 31 March was £22,473,208.
Celtics were the only Premiership club to decline the loan. Aberdeen received over £3.11m, repaying £402,871, while Rangers reduced their £3.2m loan by £413,333 despite reported record revenue of £94m last year. Hibernian had £2.5m outstanding from £2.88m, and Motherwell owed £2.57m of a £2.95m loan.
Lower-league clubs also received grants, with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dumbarton entering administration since. The Scottish government renegotiated terms with Dundee United, Hamilton, Livingston, and St Johnstone, and considers engagement satisfactory. Loan terms prohibited senior management bonuses and above-inflation pay rises until full repayment.
