TIMELINE TO A TUMULTUOUS WEEK

MONDAY The threat of a potential new lockdown is imminent following a rising ratio of positive tests throughout the UK. Fresh doubts are raised over the return of fans to football stadia. TUESDAY First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (left) announces a new package of Covid-19 restrictions. The indicative date of October 5 for the return of spectators to live sporting events is pushed back and it is believed that supporters could be locked out of stadia for up to six months. Fears of a temporary postponement to the football season as part of a coronavirus ‘circuit breaker’ fail to materialise, but such measures are not ruled out in the future. WEDNESDAY As the Scottish game descends into panic at the prospect of no money coming through turnstiles for an extended period,

Sportsmail exclusively reveals that the SFA and SPFL are preparing a plea for a financial bailout from the Scottish Government to fill a £50million black hole. Minister for Sport Joe FitzPatrick writes to UK counterpart Nigel Huddlestone seeking emergency talks over a financial recovery package for sport after the Holyrood administration

acknowledges an ‘enormously challenging time for football’. THURSDAY

Sportsmail is first again with the news as we reveal Scotland’s 42 senior clubs will be warned at a crisis summit that football fans could be locked out of grounds for the entire season. The SFA and SPFL Joint Response Group set up emergency Zoom meetings with clubs across all four divisions in a bid to find solutions.