Government cash will see clubs survive

boss Neil Doncaster were thrown the lifeline during discussions with minister for sport Joe FitzPatrick.

Details of the financial support have yet to be revealed but FitzPatrick has confirmed a cash bailout is on the way to help clubs survive without fans.

And a new consensus has also been reached to work out a road map on how and when fans can be safely allowed to return to grounds.

A source said: “It looks like there will be some good news for those clubs who are feeling the most financial strain. Without fans and government funding, Scottish football faces an existential threat but thankfully this has now been acknowledged by the government.”

FitzPatrick said in a statement: “I made it clear to the JRG that the Scottish Government is fully aware this has been an enormously challenging time for the sporting sector and the pandemic has put a real financial strain on many sporting organisations.

“I pa r t i c u l a r l y appreciate the economic impact on football clubs of the delay of the return of spectators to stadia.

“The virus has not gone away and we all need to keep working to protect the NHS and public services, and help keep people safe. The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the governing bodies of football to ensure its long-term sustainability.

“Last week I met UK Minister for Sport, Heritage and Touri sm Ni gel Huddleston to discuss the financial package being developed by the UK Government to support those sporting organisations most affected by a delay of the return of spectators to stadia. We are still awaiting c l a r i ty on Barne tt consequential funding to Scotland as a result of the UK Government scheme.”