The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Scottish football closes the doors
SPFL and SFA confirm sport grinds to halt for an indefinite period
Scottish football has gone into shutdown after the players’ union argued that continuing matches behind closed doors was an “unacceptable” risk.
The Scottish Professional Football League has been suspended “until further notice” along with all non-league and grassroots football.
The move was announced just before midday yesterday as SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and Scottish Football Association counterpart Ian Maxwell came under pressure to protect fans and players from the spread of coronavirus.
Rangers’ trip to Germany for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 clash with Bayer Leverkusen next week is also off after Uefa called a temporary halt to its club competitions.
There is doubt over Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-offs after Norway – who Steve Clarke’s side could potentially face in the final – announced they would not be playing Serbia on March 26.
While leagues across Europe have been postponing domestic competitions, it was announced on Thursday night this weekend’s SPFL fixtures would go ahead, including Celtic’s trip to face Rangers tomorrow.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had earlier announced plans to ban events involving crowds of more than 500 people from Monday.
However, news of a number of highprofile figures in England contracting the disease – including Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta – prompted a rethink.
With Inverness becoming the first Scottish club to confirm one of their players had gone into self-isolation after reporting coronavirus-like symptoms, PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart insists the shutdown is the only “sensible decision”.
He added: “Although this decision will have unknown ramifications for the professional game, the health and safety of everyone involved from supporters to players and other staff at clubs must be protected.
“There had been some suggestions of playing games behind closed doors, but I informed the SPFL of our management committee’s position that if the supporters are not allowed in, our members should not be asked to put their health and safety at risk by playing games behind closed doors. Player safety must be treated the same as that of supporters and the wider population.
“The virus is transmitted via touch and bodily fluids and even behind closed doors players would have been at risk given football is a contact sport and players would come into contact with others’ sweat.
“This would have been unacceptable, and I am glad the authorities considered this in their decision-making.”
The SFA and SPFL stated they would continue to liaise with governments and Uefa. The European governing body is holding a conference call with members on Tuesday where the fate of Euro 2020 is set to be decided.
Maxwell said: “Today’s announcement is made in the interests of public health but, equally, the health and safety of players, match officials, and staff across the game. This is of paramount importance as the country enters the ‘delay’ phase of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Doncaster added: “We have not yet had any confirmed cases of coronavirus among players in Scotland, but, given the nature of this outbreak, it seems only a matter of time.
“We realise that many people will be bitterly disappointed, and we would obviously prefer to be in a position where we can continue as normal, but that’s neither realistic nor possible.”
The Football Association, the Premier League, the English Football League, FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have all agreed to call a halt to competitive action.
A statement from the EFL read: “The FA, Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest.
“This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due to the increasing numbers of clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the Covid-19 virus.
“The postponements include all matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, as well as all academy and youth team fixtures.
“In addition, clubs are being advised to suspend indefinitely all non-essential activities which include, but are not limited to, player appearances, training ground visits and fan meetings.
“While the EFL board has continued to take the advice and guidance offered by the government and its health advisors, emerging developments mean now is the time to implement football’s contingency plans in response to the crisis.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, but the EFL must prioritise the health and wellbeing of players, staff and supporters while also acknowledging the government’s national efforts in tackling this outbreak.”
The decision means England’s friendlies against Italy and Denmark on March 27 and 31 respectively have now been cancelled.
The decisions have been taken after Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi were confirmed to have contracted the virus, with a number of individuals at other clubs self-isolating after developing symptoms.