AGUERO RIGHT TO BE SCARED

potentially go through a turnstile any more then what would happen for Alloa Athletic? ‘The second is how would we run a season with no fans if it was closed doors for a season? That is a very stark position in which we would find ourselves in. And we are running those numbers. ‘Then it’s the total disaster scenario that we have to look at as a club and as a board of directors, which is what happens if we cannot play football for another season? ‘The last one is one that you must look at because right now we can’t play football. So, on the basis we don’t know when that will end, I have to operate on an understanding of what that would mean for my club if we cannot play football for an unlimited time.’ SFA president Rod Petrie insists the governing body plan to exhaust all options to prevent clubs going to the wall.

Part of the four-man SFA and SPFL Joint Response Group set up to steer the Scottish game through a threat to its existence, clubs face a long period without gate income after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon indicated that restrictions on mass gatherings were likely to remain in place for some time. With major questions over the viability and cost of playing games safely behind closed doors, Mulraney admitted clubs could go out of business. ‘I think to not believe that’s a possibility is foolhardy,’ he said. ‘However, I believe the SFA and the SPFL have a responsibility to look at all eventualities to defend and protect the game. ‘We are working incredibly hard and have been for weeks to look at how we shape a position whereby when we come through this, from our 42 senior clubs — Lowland League, Highland League, South of Scotland, girls and womens, juniors and amateurs, welfare — we have a game. ‘But do I think there is a realistic danger of us losing clubs at all levels? Anyone who does not believe that is foolhardy. ‘I’ve had a number of calls from chairmen of others clubs who are kind of in the same place. ‘We have a best-case, a predicted-case and a worst-case scenario. ‘Football in Scotland is about community. Clubs are community assets who do a huge amount of work. They do more than just play football. ‘So we need to protect them and all the chairmen I have spoken to are in a similar place to where I am. ‘We are now war-gaming best-case, predicted-case and worst-case scenarios.’ As Sportsmail revealed on Saturday, the SPFL plan to ask the Scottish Government for emergency relief for clubs after the UK Government extended a loan of £16million to save rugby league in England.

Mulraney warns against expecting any big announcements after tomorrow’s high-powered talks, however, branding such talk ‘unrealistic’. Admitting football has to find a way to survive without fans, the Alloa owner added: ‘It’d be incredibly difficult. There is no point in pretending otherwise. ‘We have run the numbers at Alloa and think we could do it one season with no fans. ‘What we have to understand is that there is also a best-case scenario. We can get back playing, we come up with a vaccine and have a management system for this horrific illness that means clubs and football does not burden our society and cause anyone extra to die. ‘I’m sure the people who are working on the restructuring group are diligently planning for that as well. ‘But I wouldn’t say I expect Alloa Athletic to be playing football in August or September.’