Scotland’s longest-serving boss wants clubs to be given a break
Ian Maxwell last night insisted there was no vendetta against Hearts on the part of the Scottish game’s governing bodies.
The Edinburgh club were left infuriated when they were ordered to pause their training by the Joint Response Group, which includes representatives of the SFA and SPFL.
It followed the controversial and fiercely-contested decision to relegate them from the Premiership on the basis they were in bottom place when the 2019-20 season was called.
“I absolutely understand (their upset),” said the SFA Chief Executive.
“I was directly on the phone to Ann Budge, and I said I knew this wasn’t going to be a popular decision.
“Look at everything that has happened to Hearts over the summer – this will feel like another slap in the face.
“But I tried to make it clear it is absolutely not aimed at Hearts.
“While it is unfair to Hearts, it is also unfair on the hundreds of amateur clubs that have training lets booked for the next week.
“A lot of people are affected. We had to take a decision to put that pause in place.
“There are Championship clubs that have already started testing, and wanted to be back training on Monday.
“We were left with a decision – do we allow one club to train and tell others that haven’t started that they can’t, or is it just a blanket oneweek suspension?
“We were made aware Hearts were going to give the players a bit of time off – I think eight days – and I spoke to Ann about whether we could marry those two things up to give us the time we need and not really impact their training.
“I completely understand where they are coming from. There will be disappointment.
“As a former player, I know it’s the last thing you need.”
Maxwell, though, said there should be no mistaking the consequences of further infractions.
“I absolutely believe one more would be the red card,” he said.
“Given the incidents that have happened, I don’t think we can argue with that. We don’t have a leg to stand on.
“That’s why it’s so important that we did instigate this pause, so that clubs know what their obligations are.”
Scottish Government Clinical Director, Professor Jason Leitch, though, said the Boli Bolingoli incident had not completely killed off the chance of getting sociallydistanced crowds at games from next month on.
“The indicative date for getting crowds back into stadia was September 14. That was never guaranteed,” he said.
“We review every three weeks and this week coming, Thursday the 20th, is the next big review date for the parliament to hear what will be allowed.
“There are a set of things we have given a date of August 24 for. And there are a set of things for later.
“The indicative date for small crowds in outdoor stadia remains September 14.
“I don’t think this week has helped, but I don’t think it has put the kybosh on it completely.”