April 24 – Scotland looks set to become one of the first leagues to benefit from UEFA’s agreement to allow for special cases in ending domestic seasons prematurely.
UEFA re-iterated Thursday it ideally wants seasons to be completed but softened its stance in allowing individual leagues to scrap the rest of the campaign if there is either “insurmountable economic problems” that would put “the long-term financial stability of the domestic competition and/or clubs” at risk or a government ban on sports events.
That in theory means the SPFL has the power to declare Celtic champions and relegate Hearts – as long as places in next season’s UEFA competitions are dictated by ‘sporting merit’.
All 42 SPFL clubs voted on a controversial season-ending resolution earlier this month and the SPFL could now probably terminate the Premiership on the same points per game basis they have used in curtailing the Championship, League One and League Two.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Thursday that “big gatherings and events” are off for “some months to come” and had previously cast doubt on playing matches behind closed doors.
UEFA’s position is that if a league were to be ended early, then domestic organisers will select teams to compete in next season’s European competitions based on sporting merit and “on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles”.
UEFA says it reserves the right to refuse nations’ submissions if they do not meet that criteria.
The Scottish FA and SPFL said they will take time to consider UEFA’s conditions.
“The coronavirus outbreak is affecting leagues across Europe in many different ways depending, amongst other things, on their financial position, their broadcasting deals and the percentage of their clubs’ income derived from gate receipts,” a statement read.
“In addition, the approach from individual governments varies according to the severity and timing of the lockdown and their success in dealing with the outbreak.
“As a result, there can be no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to the challenges facing the 55 countries under the UEFA banner.
“Today’s UEFA announcement acknowledges that different leagues will have to carefully consider their own unique circumstances before deciding how best to progress.”
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