The SPFL Board met yesterday at short notice to consider a number of requests from League 1 and League 2 clubs.
The requests were: To approve the recommencement of League matches on 20 March; to revisit the SPFL’s concerns about a 22-Match Season including a ‘split’ after Match round 18; to schedule League 1 and League 2 League matches up to and including 15 May (i.e., two weeks later than planned); and to delay the start date of the Championship/League 1 and League 1/League 2 Play-Off matches from 5th May to 19th May.
The SPFL Board approved the recommencement of League 1 and League 2 League Matches on 20 March. However, the Board remains concerned regarding the realistic ability of League 1 and League 2 Clubs to complete a 22-match Season, including the introduction of a new ‘split’ in each Division.
Such a fixture schedule would mean one Club in each half of the ‘split’ sitting out one round of fixtures post-split, including the final day of the season. It would also severely constrain the flexibility of the SPFL to schedule fixtures in the event of future disruption from Covid-19 and risks part-time clubs being required to play Saturday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday. It is also guaranteed that a minimum of one League 1 or 2 club will reach Round 4 of the Scottish Cup, creating further fixturing challenges.
However, the SPFL Board respects the right of League 1 and League 2 clubs to determine how many League Matches they wish to play this season. The SPFL Board has therefore asked the League 1 and League 2 representatives to consider how they would wish the Board to deal with any Club unable to complete a 22-match programme in the time available. Only then will the Board be able to consider the requests to push back the dates of the Play-Offs.
SPFL Chairman Murdoch MacLennan commented: “We are pleased that League 1 and League 2 clubs have come together to propose a way forward for the resumption of their season. However, it’s our duty to underline that the SPFL Board has severe reservations about the practicality of part-time clubs being able to complete a 22-game season, including a ‘split’, in time to compete in the end of season play-offs.
“In the Board’s view, an 18-game season would have created far more flexibility but, that said, we respect the right of League 1 and League 2 clubs to determine how many games they will play this season.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
