Buddies unhappy over Ross remarks

S t M irren ch ie f e x e cu t iv e To n y F i tzpa t r ick ha s c omp l a in ed t o Mo t h e r w e l l about coach Maurice Ross’s “u n a c c e p t a b l e statements” in the wake o f the Cov id -19 can ce l la t ion o f Saturday’s Premiership match between the two clubs.

Two Buddies players had contrac ted the virus earlier in the week with a third forced into self-isolation before a further positive test saw more players enter selfi s o l a t i o n , with the Paisley club telling the SPFL that they could not fulfil their fixture at the Simple Digital Arena.

Fir Park coach Ross suggested that the rules – where games are merely postponed and an SPFL investigation launched – are open to abuse by “opportunistic” teams who may want to delay a fixture because of injuries.

“I’m not saying it is (happening) – but the rules allow for it,” said Ross.

A statement on St Mirren’s official website read: “St Mirren chief e x e cu t iv e To n y Fitzpatrick has written to his Mo t h e r w e l l counterpart A lan Burrows to complain about unacceptable statements by Fir Park coach Maurice Ross during a BBC Radio Scotland broadcast in which Ross cast doubt on the reasons for St Mirren seeking the C o v i d - r e l a t e d can ce l la t ion o f Saturday’s scheduled clash between the two clubs.

The letter reads: “I am writing to express my disappointment at the comments of Maurice Ross on the above Podcast following the postponement of the fixture between our respec tive clubs on Saturday 17 October.

“A n y notion that w e h av e b e en “opportunistic” in seeking to discharge our public health responsibilities is a fallacy.”