The Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and St Johnstone on Saturday has been called off after two players tested positive for COVID-19.
Six more Aberdeen players had been ordered by medics to self-isolate, having been in contact with one of the individuals who tested positive for coronavirus. However, the club had said on Thursday that Saturday's match would go ahead.
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon accused the players of "blatantly" breaking the rules by reportedly visiting a bar on Saturday evening following their opening game of the season against Rangers.
"It is now clear that all eight of these players visited a bar in Aberdeen on Saturday night," Sturgeon said.
"In doing so, they blatantly broke the rules that had been agreed between the SFA, the SPFL and the Scottish government, which to put it mildly, is completely unacceptable.
"We are expecting the members of the public to behave in a highly precautionary way right now.
“Let's remember this is not through bad luck but clear breaches of the rules, we cannot take even a small risk that they will spread the infection to other parts of the country."
Five other Scottish Premiership games will go ahead over the weekend, with champions Celtic taking on Kilmarnock on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
"The Scottish government will also be contacting all club captains and managers to emphasise the importance of complying with the guidance," Sturgeon said.
Stricter lockdown restrictions were imposed in the city on Wednesday following an outbreak linked to pubs and bars. 79 cases had been identified by Thursday.
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said he could "fully understand" the Scottish government had asked for the postponement.
"We are very grateful that the decision has been to postpone, rather than forfeit the game," he said.
"I took the opportunity yesterday to apologise to both football and health authorities and with our fellow Premiership clubs today.”
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