The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Decision to suspend SPFL was correct – MacGregor
Ross County: Chairman admits Highland club may face financial issues
Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor admits the suspension of the Scottish football season has created some huge challenges.
The SPFL and Scottish FA confirmed the suspension of all Scottish football matches with immediate effect yesterday amid the coronavirus outbreak.
County, who sit 10th in the Scottish Premiership, were due to host Hamilton Accies in a crucial encounter in Dingwall today.
The Staggies sit two points above Accies, who are in the play-off position, with eight games remaining.
Hearts are four points adrift at the bottom of the table with Dundee United on course to win the Scottish Championship having opened up a 14-point gap at the top of the table.
MacGregor said: “I have no idea what the financial implications will be but I doubt whether we will get playing again this season. The European competitions have been abandoned.
“It looks like the European Championships are going to get put back a year.
“There are issues such as deciding promotion and relegation that will be very difficult for the authorities.
“Every sport is different but you could compare it to golf.
“If the golf tournament has to stop after three rounds then the player at the top of the leaderboard at that stage is declared the winner.
“If it stops after or before two rounds then sometimes they cancel the tournament altogether.
“I really don’t know how the legislators will decide.
“But we are three-quarters of the way through the season so my gut tells me this shouldn’t be a void season.
“It is going to be the same for all leagues across Europe so it may come to Uefa deciding whether the season is null and void or whether league champions can be declared. I have no idea how it will pan out.
“If you are at the top you want to win the league and if you are at the bottom then you don’t want to get relegated.
“Dundee United will feel they have done all they can and an act of God has come along.
“There are some really challenging situations.”
The Ross County chairman said the decision will create financial challenges for his club but believes it was the correct call to suspend games rather than trying to continue the season by playing behind closed doors.
He said: “We have eight games left, including five at home.
“The implication of losing those walk-ups on a Saturday and the hospitality will have a big financial impact.
“It won’t be as big as other clubs who
“It is an unprecedented situation and lawmakers will be scratching their heads at what to do”
have bigger attendances but it will still be a considerable impact.
“I imagine the Scottish FA and the SPFL felt they had no choice but to suspend games.
“What can you do when all sport is shutting down?
“If we were playing games behind closed doors and one player contracted the disease then it would be very problematic.
“It is an unprecedented situation and the lawmakers will be left scratching their heads wondering what to do.
“Suspending games was the correct call rather than playing behind closed doors.
“If the figures are right that one in five people are going to be hit by this virus then football clubs are going to suffer like everywhere else.”