Mo: They need to hold summit
MAURICE MALPAS was a no-nonsense defender in an era when Dundee United jousted with the giants of Europe.
These days he’s suited and booted every two weeks at Tannadice in his role as club ambassador but, at 57 years old, little else has changed. He still takes no nonsense and cuts to the chase in normal circumstances.
But these aren’t normal circumstances and while admitting he is biased with regards to United, who are 14 points clear at the top of the Championship, he doesn’t want them handed the title. He wants the league season played to a conclusion, no matter how long it takes.
He has been a player, coach, boss and director of football in his lifelong association with the game, which makes him a pretty good sounding board.
Malpas feels if the SFA and SPFL can’t come to a decision the clubs must find a way of doing it for them.
He said: “Nobody can say with any degree of certainty what is going to happen. We
BY DAVID MCCARTHY d.mccarthy@dailyrecord.co.uk don’t know if the season will finish in July or August, or whether it will get finished at all.
“There’s talk of calling the league as it stands just now and also there are people saying it should be null and void. You never hear anybody coming forward with a suggestion.
“If the authorities can’t make a decision why are the clubs not taking it into their own hands, speaking to each other and finding a consensus?
“I know there are conflicts of interest all over the place but if the clubs aren’t prepared to talk to each other, they can’t complain when the authorities make the decision for them.
“The clubs are the SPFL. Why are they sitting back waiting for Neil Doncaster to make a decision? Go to him and say: ‘This is what we want.’”
Malpas reckons the longer the game is in limbo, the more damage it will inflict upon itself.
He said: “When we don’t know when this season is going to end, how can the clubs prepare for next season?
“Then there are players’ contracts. Are clubs going to pay players after their contract finishes because they might still need them to complete the season?
“Are players entitled to walk away as their contract have expired but the season hasn’t ended? It’s a massive grey area.”
Malpas is adamant the leagues can’t be declared null and void and he has a radical idea.
“Too many clubs will complain if they just bin the leagues now,” he added. “It will be mayhem.
“If they say it just didn’t happen this year, that’s just embarrassing. I would hate the SPFL to say it’s just too much hassle, so we’re binning it.
“If we get out of this lockdown and the players have kept themselves fit, they can play nine games in a couple of weeks behind closed doors to get the season finished.
“They will all be in the same boat as far as match fitness is concerned. The most important thing is to get this season finished and then they can adjust next season accordingly.
“Behind closed doors is not ideal and if that can’t be done the season continues when things get back to normal. If that means shortening the following campaign, so be it.”