MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 15:40:58| >> :600:102601:102601:

Scottish football below Championship level suspended into March

All but the top two divisions of the men's game were suspended from January 12 after Scotland went into tighter social restrictions.

The suspended levels of Scottish football will have to wait three more weeks for any information on when they can resume.

All but the top two divisions of the men's game were suspended from January 12 after Scotland went into tighter social restrictions to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

The initial period of suspension was three weeks but the Scottish football authorities can give no concrete details on when the hiatus will end.

A statement from the Scottish Football Association read: "In recent weeks, the Scottish FA has engaged extensively with clubs and leagues affected by the suspension of professional football across the men's and women's game to discuss tailored return to playing plans for implementation when it is considered safe and appropriate to resume.

"We have also remained in regular dialogue with Scottish Government to ensure their input into and ultimately approval of those proposed plans.

"Regrettably, the government has today confirmed that – in cognisance of the current restrictions in place across the country – they cannot currently commit to return dates for those affected leagues in the coming weeks.

"We will continue to speak with all parties in the meantime and will provide a further update by March 1.

"This date should not be seen as a proposed restart date, however it should help provide some clarity to affected clubs to aid their planning over the short term.

"Whilst this is disappointing news, Scottish football will continue to play its part in assisting the Scottish Government's efforts to reduce the prevalence of Covid-19 across the country."

The news affects League One and Two clubs including Partick Thistle and Falkirk along with the leagues in the recently-expanded pyramid and the women's top two divisions.

The delay will raise further doubts about the feasibility of this season's Scottish Cup. The third round was scheduled to take place on the last weekend of January and league games have already been moved to fourth-round weekend this month.

But 13 second-round games also remain outstanding with the final scheduled to take place on May 8 ahead of Hampden's transformation into a Euro 2020 venue.

ID:434474: cacheID:434474:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4716:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
General view of Rugby Park, home to Kilmarnock, from 2011
Read Next:
Kilmarnock and St Mirren successfully appeal coronavirus forfeits
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!