Homesbook Factoring Caplan

Coronavirus – Joint Response Group Update 19/3

It has become clear that in the midst of the coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic, Scottish football would welcome as much clarity as possible on the earliest date football could resume in Scotland.

Clubs need to be able to make informed decisions regarding training and work schedules, as well as operating their stadia in these unprecedented times.

The Scottish FA is supportive of UEFA’s postponement of EURO 2020 until 11 June 2021 but has already indicated there is a limit to what can be done to prepare for the UEFA Nations League Play-Off match against lsrael at Hampden Park, provisionally scheduled for June this year.

It remains ambitious to believe that the match will go ahead as scheduled.

The Scottish FA reiterates that all football in Scotland, both domestic and professional, remains suspended indefinitely. For the benefit of planning, the Scottish FA confirms that football in Scotland will not resume before 30 April. The medical advice is that we will not have reached the peak of the coronavirus epidemic in this country by then and the escalating measures which restrict the ability to play football matches will likely remain in force.

The progress of COVID-19 remains uncertain for the whole country, but we are maintaining daily dialogue informed by the latest government and UK Medical Officers advice, to provide reassurance that the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority, along with the survival of clubs.

Finally, it remains Scottish football’s firm intention to begin the 2020-21 season as soon as is practicably possible later this year.