{"id":15506,"date":"2020-04-08T14:15:38","date_gmt":"2020-04-08T13:15:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=15506"},"modified":"2020-04-08T14:15:38","modified_gmt":"2020-04-08T13:15:38","slug":"celtic-diary-wednesday-april-8-behind-closed-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=15506","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Wednesday April 8: Behind Closed Doors"},"content":{"rendered":"

The powers that be in Scottish football have sat down to discuss the unprecedented events of 2020 and come to a decision.<\/p>\n

They’re going to ask the clubs to make a decision.<\/p>\n

The Evening Times reports, so some of it is probably true…<\/p>\n

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SPFL clubs are to vote on a resolution recommending the termination of the 2019\/20 season in the Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League 1 and Ladbrokes League 2 – with final season placings determined by points per game in league matches played to date by each club.<\/em><\/p>\n

But the resolution recommends that matches in the Ladbrokes Premiership remain postponed for the time being – to give the best possible opportunity for the remaining 2019\/20 fixtures to be played.<\/em><\/p>\n

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However, if the SPFL board has determined that if the remaining Premiership matches cannot be played, the Ladbrokes Premiership would also be terminated, with final season placings determined on the same basis.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Cabinet Secretary for\u00a0Health<\/a>\u00a0announced on March 17 that NHS Scotland had been put on an emergency footing for at least 12 weeks until June 10.<\/em><\/p>\n

In addition, the Scottish government also publicly advised that expectations are that restrictions could remain in place for at least 13 weeks.<\/em><\/p>\n

That means the remaining fixtures in Ladbrokes League Season 2019\/20 and the related play-off competitions cannot be scheduled without significantly damaging the SPFL\u2019s ability to start and complete, on time, League Season 2020\/21 and next Season\u2019s Betfred Cup.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The SPFL has therefore today circulated a written resolution to its 42 Member Clubs recommending that SPFL clubs approve:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2022 The immediate termination of Season 2019\/20 for the Ladbrokes Championship, League 1 and League 2, without the remaining fixtures in the League being played.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2022 All play-off competitions being cancelled.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2022 Final season placings to be determined by the number of points per game earned by each club in the matches they have played.<\/em><\/p>\n

If approved, this would result in the promotion of Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers, and the relegation of\u00a0Partick Thistle<\/a>\u00a0and Stranraer.<\/em><\/p>\n

If the resolution is approved, the SPFL has also committed to consulting with clubs over the possibility of league restructuring ahead of Season 2020\/21.<\/em><\/p>\n

SPFL Chairman Murdoch MacLennan said: \u201cThese are extraordinarily difficult times for our entire country and, like every sports body\u00a0worldwide<\/a>, we have been wrestling with the enormous challenges caused by the outbreak.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTo their credit, every single club in the SPFL has been committed to completing the remaining fixtures for Season 2019\/20, but they also all recognise we must prioritise the safety of players, officials and fans, and ensure our emergency services are given every possible assistance to focus on their vital work.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Many football people have friends or family who are working with the emergency and health services or who have been affected by this awful virus and I have been struck by the strong sense of solidarity shown by everyone in our sport.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe communication from the Scottish Government at least gives us a degree of clarity, meaning it will now be impossible to fulfil the remaining fixtures in the Ladbrokes Championship, League 1 and League 2 without causing huge financial damage and uncertainty for clubs in those divisions.<\/em><\/p>\n

“We have recommended a way forward which we firmly believe enables the best possible outcome for Scottish football in these very demanding and unique circumstances.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster added: \u201cAs a board, we have consulted extensively with clubs in all four divisions since football was suspended on March 13 and have taken expert legal and commercial advice.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNow is the right time to act. Very regrettably, we must face the reality that it\u2019s simply not possible for the remaining Ladbrokes Championship, League 1 and League 2 fixtures to remain postponed without causing significant further financial harm to clubs in those divisions. Further, many of our clubs are experiencing very challenging organisational and financial circumstances.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone in our game, and in the country generally, is wrestling with the devastating impact of Covid- 19. We all know there are no easy answers or simple solutions, but the Board\u2019s recommended proposal will give us a far greater degree of certainty, minimise the harm to the game overall, and enable us make end-of-season fee payments now to Ladbrokes Championship, League 1 and League 2 clubs.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe position for the Ladbrokes Premiership remains particularly complicated. Everyone is aware of UEFA\u2019s desire for the family of European football to work together to resolve the issues that confront us all. We are keen to work with UEFA and remain in discussion with them over the situation in\u00a0Scotland<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe quicker we reach a final position the better, but there is no doubt this is the most complicated and challenging situation our game has faced in living memory.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0Reading between the lines, the leagues that aren’t affected by european places or significant domestic money can bring sweeties, games and toys to the next meeting if they want, as it will be the last day before the big holidays for them.<\/div>\n
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Expect Championship clubs to tell them where to stick it as well….<\/div>\n
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\u00a0At the top level , though, they’re still trying to find a way to break it to the hordes that the league is over and nine in a row has been achieved.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Sometimes, it’s not what they say, it’s what they do, as Keith Jackson of the Record duly reported yesterday…<\/div>\n
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Rangers rip up Ibrox pitch and end hope of quick fire restart to title finish<\/h2>\n
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By<\/span><\/p>\n
Keith Jackson<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n