On Monday, the stark contrast between the approaches of the Scottish football authorities and the Premier League, amid the global health crisis, was once again clear to see.
With the lower-league season brought to an end weeks ago in Scotland, many clubs, including Rangers, are now at war with the SPFL and there’s no prospect of football returning anytime soon.
In fact, given that SPFL chief Neil Doncaster recently confirmed member associations have until 25 May to inform UEFA whether or not they will attempt to complete their top-flight campaign [Scottish Sun], a statement declaring the Premiership season at an end is unlikely to be far away.
Yet, in England, it’s an entirely different story.
With the government suggesting elite sport may be able to restart behind closed doors from 1 June [BBC Sport], preparations are being ramped up for the return of football.
The Premier League released a statement on Monday afternoon presenting a united front of clubs, all of whom are committed to resuming their fixtures as soon as it is declared safe to do so.
There’s little doubt a lot of this enthusiasm to restart amid a pandemic is fuelled by TV deals. For example, it has been reported that the 20 top-tier clubs face repaying a cumulative £340m to broadcasters, even if the season resumes behind closed doors [BBC Sport].
Such numbers dwarf those around the Scottish Premiership, of course, but it’s still remarkable to see such differing approaches adopted in regions of the UK that share a land border.
North of that border, there’s been a sense that 2019/20 campaign was doomed as soon as it was halted in mid-March.
Yet, south of it, there’s been an enduring belief that every possible avenue will be explored to ensure the fixture list is fulfilled.
