Hibs to have major say in SFA plans for football resumption

Hibs will have a major say in the initial planning phase for
the resumption of football with Executive Chairman Ron Gordon, Chief Executive
Leeann Dempster and Senior Operations Manager Colin Millar all sitting on sub-groups
of the SFA Board Joint Response Group.

Any resumption will be done in line with current Scottish
Government and Chief Medical Officer advice – as updated in the First
Minister’s publication of Looking Beyond Lockdown – and in cognisance of the
current suspension of Scottish football until June 10.

The JRG sub-groups will be integral to that process and are formed under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA Board.

Each group has been assigned a rolling two-week update
period in which to undertake research in order of priorities outlined by the
chair. The sub-groups will provide recommendations in key operational,
logistical and commercial areas to ensure the safe and efficient return to
Scottish football for all stakeholders, in line with the Scottish Government’s
Framework for Decisions.

The sub-groups are comprised of subject matter experts from
across Scottish football are as follows:

1. Medical and Player Welfare (co-chaired by Dr John MacLean
and Duncan Fraser)

2. Club and Stadium Operations (Co-chaired by Ian
Maxwell/Mike Mulraney)

Hibs’ Chief Executive Leeann Dempster will sit on this
group.

3. Supporter Welfare (Co-chaired by Mike Mulraney/Ian
Maxwell)

Colin Millar, Hibs’ Senior Operations Manager will sit on
this group.

4. Broadcasting and Innovation (Chaired by Neil Doncaster)

Hibs’ executive Chairman Ron Gordon will sit on this group.

5. Regulation (Chair Calum Beattie)

6. Grassroots (chaired by Thomas McKeown)

Rod Petrie, Scottish FA President and Chair of the Joint
Response Group: “I am pleased by the response among members to assist the Joint
Response Group in planning for the safe and expedient return of Scottish
football when it is deemed safe to do so by the government and medical experts.

“The First Minister published a framework to assist in the
country’s recovery from COVID-19, including preparing for the transition from
lockdown or any easing thereof and adjusting to a ‘new normal’.

“We will continue to adhere to the government advice but
equally we have an obligation to undertake the necessary preparatory work to
ensure the national game is ready to return at the appropriate time.

“We are also mindful of the crucial role football can play
as the national sport during the recovery period and have noted the proposed
return of the Premier League in England by the Department of Culture Media and
Sport in England ‘to raise the spirit of the nation’.

“We look forward to the opportunity to discuss football’s
timeframe in Scotland in early course as part of the Scottish Government’s
virtual roundtable for sporting bodies announced by the First Minister today.”