Overview
- Announcing the move at a Glasgow campaign event, the First Minister said he has asked the Crown to declare the Monday after the 14 June match a holiday.
- Scotland’s opener against Haiti kicks off at 2:00 a.m. local time, with the extra day presented as a recovery window to support nationwide celebrations.
- Any designation would apply under Scottish Government contracts to public-sector employees, with private employers able to follow voluntarily.
- Swinney argued the holiday could boost the economy by drawing interest to tourism and hospitality and by strengthening cultural and sporting links.
- Public reaction online has been mixed, and the announcement comes during campaigning ahead of the 7 May Scottish Parliament election; Scotland’s other group games on 20 and 25 June start at 11 p.m. local time.