McInnes afraid for ‘sporting integrity’

ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes insists the current campaign must be played to a finish, even if it means next season having to be shorter.

McInnes (below) has still not given up hope that the footballing authorities will give the green light for the action to resume in the coming weeks after a complete shutdown was enforced on Friday due to coronavirus.

Even if the suspension remains in place for months, the Dons boss insists it is imperative that this term’s fixtures are fulfilled for the sake of sporting integrity.

McInnes, whose team are currently fourth in the Premiership and have a

Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic to look forward to, said: ‘Until we minimise that risk and until we can be sure we’re going to be clear, there is no way we’re going to be able to fulfil the fixtures.

‘Whatever we do, whenever we can pick up the games again, whether it’s two weeks, three weeks, two months, the season must get finished.

‘Whether it means then impacting on the following season by having a shorter season or whatever, we can’t just pretend what’s happened has not happened.

‘We have to fulfil the fixtures for fair play, integrity.

‘There is going to be huge destruction and God knows how it’s going to play out. But whenever we do decide to get back to playing football, whether it’s behind closed doors or as we have always known it, the season must finish, for me.

‘You can’t start a season off and finish it and say all your efforts went for nothing.

‘Whatever way they do it, I do feel the season should be played out.

‘We set out in our competitions in the league to decide winners and losers. We’re in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup and we want to win a Scottish Cup and we’re deserving of a chance to do that.’