A BBC Scotland report has suggested that Rangers aren’t likely to return to action until August, following a meeting between all SPFL clubs via videoconference.
On Thursday, a separate BBC report claimed that clubs across the divisions had begun to receive advanced payments from the league association, with the Gers landing a substantial £395,000 plus VAT.
However, on Friday morning, attention turned away from finance and towards league standings and potential resumption dates.
The BBC Scotland report asserts that football isn’t expected to resume until at least August, but that no decision has yet been made with regards to finalising leagues.
It’s also suggested that the SPFL are currently in the process of ensuring the commercial contracts in place for the 2020/21 season remain ‘secure’.
Verdict
Given the current state of the public health crisis, it’s not overly shocking news that the league association believes it will be months before it’s safe enough to stage matches.
An August resumption would also back up comments recently made by Hearts’ CEO Ann Budge [Heartsfc.co.uk], and Partick Thistle’s manager Ian McCall [NotTheOldFirm].
However, with Serie A chief, Gabriele Gravina, suggesting that UEFA are mulling over extending the deadline for the current season from 30 June to the end of August [Daily Record], theoretically, the 2019/20 campaign could still be completed.
Clearly, unlike in the case of the English FA’s null and void rulings for multiple non-league tiers, there’s a reluctance on the part of the Scottish governing bodies to rush into any decisions at this juncture.
