Cup to be completed but no firm SPFL plans
SCOTTISH FA chief executive Ian Maxwell last night confirmed the governing body are committed to completing this season’s William Hill Scottish Cup once the suspension of the game has been lifted.
However, Maxwell, who took part in a UEFA conference call on the coronavirus crisis yesterday along with SFA president Rod Peterie, revealed the SFA/SPFL joint-response group is awaiting further information before deciding on how to proceed with other club fixtures.
Hearts and Rangers have both expressed their opposition to the Ladbrokes Premiership placings on March 13 – when the joint response group suspended domestic professional and grassroots football in this country – being used to decide which club is crowned champion and which club is relegated.
But Maxwell explained the joint response group is waiting to receive further information from a UEFA working group before making a decision on club and international fixtures.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s
Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel, due to be played at Hampden a week on Thursday, is now scheduled to take place in June, but no official date for the fixture has been confirmed.
UEFA announced yesterday that Euro 2020, which was to be played in 12 countries across Europe in June and July, has been postponed because of the cornoavirus pandemic and will now be played in 2021.
“As well as the agreement to postpone Euro 2020 until next year, we also received indications that our UEFA Nations League play-off semi-final against Israel at Hampden Park, due to be played on March 26, is now scheduled to take place in early June, with no date as yet confirmed,” said Maxwell.
“While we await more specific information from UEFA in relation to the fixture, there is a limit to how we prepare for a June match in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the most recent government and UK chief medical officer’s advice. I would like to reassure all Scotland fans who have purchased either tickets or hospitality packages for the match against Israel that those tickets will still be valid for the rescheduled fixture, when the date is confirmed.
“If supporters are unable to attend the rescheduled fixture then the face value of their tickets and packages will be refunded.
“Further information on tickets will be communicated to existing buyers in early course.”
Maxwell added: “At this juncture it is also important to confirm that the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final ties, between Hearts and Hibernian and Celtic and Aberdeen, will not be played on the original dates – April 11 and 12 – nor will the final be played on
May 9.
“Given the fast-moving nature of this unprecedented situation, and the imperative to safeguard public health, we will consider future dates for the cup ties when the situation becomes clearer.
“We are, however, committed to completing the competition at the appropriate time, in front of spectators, and will base any decision on government and UK medical officer’s advice, and the readiness of the participants to complete the ties.
“We also await further information from the UEFA working group on the next steps for all other club and international fixtures which have been suspended until further notice, including Scotland women’s national team and national youth teams.”