Neil Doncaster has explained why the SPFL has been forced to suspend league football indefinitely.
Just before 11.45am a joint statement from the SFA and SPFL was made with the immediate impact being the cancellation of Sunday’s Glasgow derby at Ibrox.
Earlier this week the football authorities warned clubs to check their Business Disruption Insurance with many clubs expected to experience severe hardship.
UEFA has postponed next week’s Europa League and Champions League matches while the EPL and EFL have suspended matches until the weekend of April 4/4/5.
Next weekend Celtic were due to face St Johnstone with an international break over the weekend of March 28/29.
That could give the SPFL some time to implement Plan B but due to the fast changing nature of Coronavirus no assurances can be given.
On the SPFL website Doncaster stated:
As everyone knows, this is a fast-moving and unprecedented situation for the entire country. We have been in intensive and detailed discussions since last night and have also been taking on board the experience of our counterparts in England and across Europe. As a result, the board of the SPFL has agreed this morning that all league fixtures this weekend and next midweek will be postponed until further notice.
The health and safety of fans, players and officials is absolutely paramount. We have not yet had any confirmed cases of Coronavirus amongst players in Scotland, but, given the nature of this outbreak, it seems only a matter of time. We realise that many people will be bitterly disappointed, and we would obviously prefer to be in a position where we can continue as normal, but that’s neither realistic nor possible.
Neil Lennon is expected to have his usual media conference at Lennoxtown this afternoon.
