How it ends

[piffer]

SPFL have put it to a vote to end Championship, League 1 and League 2 at this stage. Standings decided on points per game. Need 75% of the vote to go through.

The plan at the moment seems to be finishing the top flight season to comply with UEFA's thoughts. If that can’t be done it would be decided the same way. Only St Johnstone and Hibs would swap positions using this method.

Playoffs would be cancelled and SPFL/SFA willing to consider league restructure for next season. 

[casual observer]

I still think there should be no rush to get a final decision on the top flight. As FIFA had just accepted existing contracts can be extended a few months, there’s no need to make binding decisions yet when all countries leagues are in the same boat. Keep options open with a view to completing the games over the summer, then no one has a real gripe. 

[piffer]

1 hour ago, casual observer said:

I still think there should be no rush to get a final decision on the top flight. As FIFA had just accepted existing contracts can be extended a few months, there’s no need to make binding decisions yet when all countries leagues are in the same boat. Keep options open with a view to completing the games over the summer, then no one has a real gripe. 

Seems the attention has turned more to the knock on effect any action has on next season. IMO they need definitive answers from UEFA to proceed. They are telling FA's they need to do this, that and the next thing with a view to completing an overly ambitious plan for their season that other authorities may restrict from happening

[DrewWylie]

1 hour ago, casual observer said:

I still think there should be no rush to get a final decision on the top flight. As FIFA had just accepted existing contracts can be extended a few months, there’s no need to make binding decisions yet when all countries leagues are in the same boat. Keep options open with a view to completing the games over the summer, then no one has a real gripe. 

Exactly 

[piffer]

Germans planning to recommence next month. Looking to have season complete by the end of June. Clubs back in training now. At the moment they expect to be playing games behind closed doors for the remainder of the year with all matches live on tv. 

[skygod]

I think it's likely that the Premiership will be played to some sort of a finish behind closed doors. 

This might allow a June resumption, two matches a week, done in a month. 

I know that FIFA said that contracts could be extended but have they said anything about adjusting the transfer window? 

[piffer]

5 minutes ago, skygod said:

I think it's likely that the Premiership will be played to some sort of a finish behind closed doors. 

This might allow a June resumption, two matches a week, done in a month. 

I know that FIFA said that contracts could be extended but have they said anything about adjusting the transfer window? 

In the article I read about the German games the head of their FA or league said he felt the transfer market would collapse this year as clubs, agents and players realise they are not invincible no matter who they play for and in what league.

[Bonbon19]

12 minutes ago, skygod said:

I think it's likely that the Premiership will be played to some sort of a finish behind closed doors. 

This might allow a June resumption, two matches a week, done in a month. 

I know that FIFA said that contracts could be extended but have they said anything about adjusting the transfer window? 

I believe FIFA have extended the transfer window .

[skygod]

7 minutes ago, piffer said:

In the article I read about the German games the head of their FA or league said he felt the transfer market would collapse this year as clubs, agents and players realise they are not invincible no matter who they play for and in what league.

“In the short term, I would say the transfer market this summer will not exist, it will collapse.

“Some agents will suddenly understand that they will have to work hard, or at least work; some leagues will understand that money is nothing that is coming automatically every month from heaven.”

(Christian Seifert, Bundesliga CEO)

 

 

[Scouser2]

More and more Scottish clubs will use the govt scheme to keep afloat in the short term but with not the usual revenue streams will be so many other Problems to come, including a deflated transfer income for Scottish clubs ..likes of any interest from down south will not be at the values previously expected..

did hear interview from Aberdeen director , praising thier ST sale numbers for next season as will help club over summer....But then saying he thinks that more than likely these fans paying up normal ST prices ....will not be able to attend games till near end of year .......but the ST will get them access to watch expected closed door games online 

[LH31]

Sports broadcasters are suffering as they have nothing to show. No subscriptions, adverts, sponsorship etc.

If they're not making money, that dominoes into tv money for alot of football clubs - some of which are heavily reliant on it (England being an example). 

If there's a way to get the wheels turning again in some format, i imagine they'll look at it instead of writing it off. 

[Killiepies]

I really can't see any way the league can finish .The German idea would fall apart if anyone of the players,coaches ,officials TV crew or any person involved caught the virus .Plus I think fans woud start congrating outside grounds if it was a championship/relegation decider.Null and void or carry on next year without having any cup matches and try and fit the 9 games left in 

[iainmaccoll]

Give celtic the title no relegation promote top 4 teams from the championship. Play each other twice in a 16 team league with a top 8 split, gives you 37 games. On final day could  even have a 1st v 2nd 3rd v 4th 5th v 6th etc finale.  Have 2 lower divisions rather than 3. Think it was dicker that said something like this if it doesnt work after a couple seasons its easy just to go back to the old set up. Perfect time to shake things up in my opinion

[piffer]

So far it seems to be playing as expected. Rangers rejecting proposals but now saying its to protect others from unfair relegation. Hearts against it as they would go down. Partick likewise. Ayr United in favour of the proposals.

[Prahakillie]

36 minutes ago, iainmaccoll said:

Give celtic the title no relegation promote top 4 teams from the championship. Play each other twice in a 16 team league with a top 8 split, gives you 37 games. On final day could  even have a 1st v 2nd 3rd v 4th 5th v 6th etc finale.  Have 2 lower divisions rather than 3. Think it was dicker that said something like this if it doesnt work after a couple seasons its easy just to go back to the old set up. Perfect time to shake things up in my opinion

Might not need the split next season. 16 teams playing twice could be about right. It could end up being a shorter season. 

[MrTumnus]

So typical of the Orcs - Gee Uz The Money but Don't Gee Ra Celtic the Title Coz That Widnae Be Fair.  Awe Aye, It's Tae Protect The Wee Diddy Clubs, Honest!

What money do *anger* expect? Or have they not realised that they have not secured 2nd place, in their theoretical minds they could still win the league but they could still theoretically finish in 4th.

 

[MrTumnus]

Another problem - Lower leagues accept the proposals, Dundee Utd get promoted.

Top League reject them and can't finish league - Hearts don't get relegated.

13 team Premiership next year?

A bottom 7 after the split?

[Gaz of the 20/20]

21 minutes ago, MrTumnus said:

So typical of the Orcs - Gee Uz The Money but Don't Gee Ra Celtic the Title Coz That Widnae Be Fair.  Awe Aye, It's Tae Protect The Wee Diddy Clubs, Honest!

What money do *anger* expect? Or have they not realised that they have not secured 2nd place, in their theoretical minds they could still win the league but they could still theoretically finish in 4th.

 

Exactly is absolutely embarrassing Rangers trying to take the moral high ground here again. 

"It's only fair we void the league as theres more important things going on in the world than football, theres people dying, and we're really compassionate, thats the only reason, honestly."

[Wee_Eck1979]

How can we call the lower leagues now but yet wait to finish the top league?

They may say they want sporting integrity but really we all no it’s simply about money, all the leagues are suffering financially and all deserve the same respect from the SFA and SPFL. Treating the lower league teams different from the “elite” is just discrimination and morally wrong.

[CB]

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

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.

The resolution also 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.

However, if the SPFL Board determines that the remaining Premiership matches cannot be played, the Ladbrokes Premiership would also be terminated, with final season placings determined on the same basis.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health announced on 17 March that NHS Scotland had been put on an emergency footing for at least 12 weeks until 10 June. In addition, the Scottish Government also publicly advised that expectations are that restrictions could remain in place for at least 13 weeks.

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’s ability to start and complete, on time, League Season 2020/21 and next Season’s Betfred Cup.

The SPFL has therefore today circulated a written resolution to its 42 Member Clubs recommending that SPFL clubs approve:

• 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;
• all play-off competitions being cancelled; and
• final season placings to be determined by the number of points per game earned by each club in the matches they have played. This would result in the following final divisional tables for Season 2019/20 in the Ladbrokes Championship, League 1 and League 2:

If approved, this would result in the promotion of Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers, and the relegation of Partick Thistle and Stranraer.

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.

SPFL Chairman Murdoch MacLennan said: “These are extraordinarily difficult times for our entire country and, like every sports body worldwide, we have been wrestling with the enormous challenges caused by the outbreak.

“To 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. 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.

“The 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. 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.”

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster added: “As a Board, we have consulted extensively with clubs in all four divisions since football was suspended on 13th March and have taken expert legal and commercial advice.

“Now is the right time to act. Very regrettably, we must face the reality that it’s 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.

“Everyone in our game and in the country generally, is wrestling with the devastating impact of Covid-19. They all know there are no easy answers or simple solutions, but the Board’s 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.

“The position for the Ladbrokes Premiership remains particularly complicated. Everyone is aware of UEFA’s 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 Scotland.

“The 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.”

https://spfl.co.uk/news/spfl-clubs-to-vote-on-curtailment-of-ladbrokes-s

[piffer]

3 minutes ago, Wee_Eck1979 said:

How can we call the lower leagues now but yet wait to finish the top league?

They may say they want sporting integrity but really we all no it’s simply about money, all the leagues are suffering financially and all deserve the same respect from the SFA and SPFL. Treating the lower league teams different from the “elite” is just discrimination and morally wrong.

Seems at the moment the top flight is being treated differently because of UEFA. Their stance looks like no complete season no play in europe next season.

[KennyH80]

5 minutes ago, Wee_Eck1979 said:

How can we call the lower leagues now but yet wait to finish the top league?

Because of a certain bunch of cretins in Govan. 

[Wrangodog]

UEFA are abdicating responsibility over this. Every top flight league should adopt the same measures, not individual countries reaching different solutions. There has to be a standard protocol to either finish or abandon the current season. The only difference should be countries that have a summer season, where different rules might apply. 

[DrewWylie]

20 hours ago, piffer said:

Germans planning to recommence next month. Looking to have season complete by the end of June. Clubs back in training now. At the moment they expect to be playing games behind closed doors for the remainder of the year with all matches live on tv. 

Can’t see a problem with that , everyone involved in playing coaching filming etc in these games will be tested anyway 

[historyman]

4 hours ago, Gaz of the 20/20 said:

Exactly is absolutely embarrassing Rangers trying to take the moral high ground here again. 

"It's only fair we void the league as theres more important things going on in the world than football, theres people dying, and we're really compassionate, thats the only reason, honestly."

those sevco boys should be praised for approaching the club and asking for their wages to be deferred. Nothing at all to do with the fact that they are skint yet again and still have an empty trophy cabinet.
If Gerrard sees out this season I cant see him starting another one