On a day when English football started to see a way out of the coronavirus gloom, the Scottish game’s path remained shrouded in confusion.
Down south there appears to be a consensus building that they will conclude the 2019/20 domestic season, however long that takes.
But the latest statement from the SPFL and SFA joint response group, following hours of conference calls, doesn’t even mention the unfinished campaign.
It reiterated the doubts previously expressed about Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-offs taking place in June but when it came to domestic football, there was nothing that could be mistaken for a clear message.
The door is still open for the leagues to be called early and the likes of Celtic, Dundee United and Raith Rovers being declared champions – or indeed for the leagues to be declared null and void.
The only substantive decision was Scotland falling in line with the English Premier League announcement earlier in the day that no football would be played until April 30 at the earliest.
The statement read: “It has become clear that in the midst of the coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic, Scottish football would welcome as much clarity as possible on the earliest date football could resume in Scotland.
“Clubs need to be able to make informed decisions regarding training and work schedules, as well as operating their stadia in these unprecedented times.
“The Scottish FA is supportive of Uefa’s postponement of Euro 2020 until 11 June 2021 but has already indicated there is a limit to what can be done to prepare for the Uefa Nations League Play-Off match against lsrael at Hampden Park, provisionally scheduled for June this year.
“It remains ambitious to believe that the match will go ahead as scheduled.
“The Scottish FA reiterates that all football in Scotland, both domestic and professional, remains suspended indefinitely. For the benefit of planning, the Scottish FA confirms that football in Scotland will not resume before 30 April. The medical advice is that we will not have reached the peak of the coronavirus epidemic in this country by then and the escalating measures which restrict the ability to play football matches will likely remain in force.
“The progress of COVID-19 remains uncertain for the whole country, but we are maintaining daily dialogue informed by the latest government and UK Medical Officers advice, to provide reassurance that the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority, along with the survival of clubs.
“Finally, it remains Scottish football’s firm intention to begin the 2020-21 season as soon as is practicably possible later this year.”
This afternoon Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell put on record his priorities.
He said: “With regard to the present domestic Premiership League situation, our strong preference is, of course, to complete all remaining matches.
“To date, we have had a magnificent campaign, undefeated in this calendar year, completing 30 league matches already to create a commanding lead and we are now on the cusp of winning our ninth successive title.
“As many have already said, the season cannot be voided as the consequences of that are so severe.
“In the event that the matches cannot be completed, then the responsibility to find a fair and reasonable solution for the finalisation of all domestic leagues will be with the Scottish football governing bodies.
“We hope that the governing bodies are able to provide some clarity to clubs and supporters as soon as possible on the way forward, although we appreciate that this is a hugely demanding time.”
Whether he has since got the “clarity” he was looking for is extremely doubtful.
