SFA to make UEFA group stages plea for Celtic, Gers, Dons & Motherwell
OUTBREAK
BY GARY RALSTON THE SFA are set to make a plea for Scottish clubs to be given direct entry to the group stages of UEFA competitions next season. It comes as the SPFL prepare to announce the league season is officially over – with Celtic the Premiership champs and Hearts heading for the Championship. Scottish football is moving at speed as it bids to keep pace with the decision making as it affects the game in the midst of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Record Sport understands there is a growing belief within the game that professional football will not be played
again until September at the earliest.
The Scottish Cup semifinals and final due over the next two months are now likely to act as curtain raisers for the new season when it finally kicks off.
There will be no Scottish Cup replays next season, Betfred Cup group stage will be scrapped, along with the winter break to free up as much space as possible for domestic and European fixtures.
And Hampden chiefs are ready to make a representation to the UEFA power brokers in Nyon that Celtic be allowed direct entry to the Champions League group stage and also for Rangers, Motherwell and Aberdeen in the Europa League.
Traditionally, Scottish clubs have been forced to go through the qualifying route to the lucrative group stage but coronavirus is expected to reach its peak in large parts of Europe by mid-June.
UEFA will make a decision in the coming days on its competitions this season, including the last-16 Europa League tie between Rangers and Leverkusen, and may decide to hold them over until later in the summer.
That could see their competitions truncated next season, perhaps with only one winner from each group qualifying for the knockout rounds.
The SFA could have a powerful ally in their bid to help our clubs in the shape of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
Hampden bosses hosted a summit four years ago to help him see off Dutch rival Michael van Praag for the post.
While this season’s UEFA competitions may be decided in the autumn, Record Sport understands the SPFL are unlikely to follow suit after legal advice not to declare the season null and void, with no winners and losers.
They cannot distribute prize money until league positions are decided but would leave themselves open to legal challenges
from broadcasters, clubs, sponsors and even fans with season tickets if they declared it null and void.
Instead, before the end of the month they are likely to call the leagues as they stand.
That would give Celtic their cherished nine-ina-row and condemn Hearts to the drop, while Dundee United would win the Championship title with Raith Rovers and Cove triumphant in Leagues One and Two.
As a consequence, league play-offs could not go ahead, which is bad news for clubs such as Inverness Caley Thistle, but would come as a welcome relief for the likes of Hamilton and St Mirren.
It’s believed legal advice has comforted the SPFL that clubs would be powerless to take action against them through the courts to recover potential financial losses.
However, to give greater financial support it’s likely prize money will be distributed more evenly with Hearts given an enhanced parachute payment to help them survive.
The SFA will also move to access a government fund set to be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and open to all football clubs and organisations outside the English Premier League.
League reconstruction has been ruled out and to keep Sky Sports onside, the broadcaster could be offered greater access to Rangers and Celtic games at home, in particular.
Under the current contract the Old Firm can only be shown at Parkhead and Ibrox four times a season but that clause could be relaxed.