SPFL clubs are to vote on a resolution recommending the termination of the Championship, League One and League Two seasons amid the coronavirus crisis.
With play halted in Scotland, the proposal would see final season placings in the three divisions determined by points per game in league matches played by each club so far.
The resolution also recommends that the Ladbrokes Premiership remains postponed for the time being, but final season placings would be determined by the same system if the SPFL’s board determines matches cannot be played.
Given the ongoing coronavirus situation, the SPFL circulated a written resolution to its 42 members clubs outlining the recommendations that would avoid “significantly damaging the SPFL’s ability to start and complete, on time, league season 2020-21 and next season’s Betfred Cup.”
Dundee United would be promoted to the Premiership if the resolution passes, while Raith Rovers would move up to the Championship and Cove Rangers would join League One.
Partick Thistle would be relegated to the third tier and Stranraer to the fourth.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster added: “As a board, we have consulted extensively with clubs in all four divisions since football was suspended on March 13 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 One and League Two fixtures to remain postponed without causing significant further financial harm to clubs in those divisions.”
Doncaster says everyone in the game knows “there are no easy answers or simple solutions”, but believes the board’s recommended proposal will give “a far greater degree of certainty, minimise the harm to the game overall, and enable us to make end-of-season fee payments now”.
As for the top flight, there remains a lot of work to do.
“The position for the Ladbrokes Premiership remains particularly complicated,” the SPFL chief added.
“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.”
The SPFL said it has “also committed to consulting with clubs over the possibility of league restructuring ahead of season 2020-21” in a bid to deal with the knock-on effects of Covid-19.
SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan has said “these are extraordinarily difficult times for our entire country”, leaving them “wrestling with the enormous challenges caused by the outbreak”.
He added: “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 One and League Two without causing huge financial damage and uncertainty for clubs in those divisions,” he said.
“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.”
The SPFL said it has “also committed to consulting with clubs over the possibility of league restructuring ahead of season 2020-21” in a bid to deal with the knock-on effects of Covid-19.
SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan has said “these are extraordinarily difficult times for our entire country”, leaving them “wrestling with the enormous challenges caused by the outbreak”.
He added: “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 One and League Two without causing huge financial damage and uncertainty for clubs in those divisions,” he said.
“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.”
