SFA and SPFL issue fixtures warning to clubs

The SFA and SPFL have urged football clubs to check their ‘business interruption’ insurance ahead of the expected postponement of fixtures due to Coronavirus.

No Scottish matches have been effected so far but it seems to be only a matter of time before games are postponed or played behind closed doors.

Across the globe fixtures are being impacted with the Asian Federation postponing World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March and June.

Yesterday all domestic Italian fixtures were postponed while in France and Spain top flight matches will be played behind closed doors.

On Monday media outlets met with UK government officials to discuss preparations with any postponements certain to have a major impact on Scottish football where ticket money is the main source of income.

The Sun reports:

In a joint statement issued to the PA news agency, SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and his league counterpart Neil Doncaster said: “Member clubs are urged to review the terms of any business interruption insurance they may hold, in the event that future matches may be cancelled or have to be held behind closed doors. The SPFL and Scottish FA are continuing to work together in the face of the coronavirus threat.

“The Joint Response Group, including the Scottish FA’s chief medical consultant Dr John MacLean, is meeting on a daily basis to consider briefings from the World Health Organisation and to respond to the developing situation across the UK.

“We are aware of the decisions being taken elsewhere in Europe to cancel sporting events and/or hold them behind closed doors.

“However, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport announced yesterday that, as things stand, there is ‘no rationale’ for closing or cancelling sporting events in Britain because of coronavirus. This has been echoed in conversations that we have had with the Scottish Government.

“While it is a fast-changing picture and we will continue to be guided by the most up-to-date, expert advice, we are continuing to prepare for matches to proceed as scheduled.”

Celtic have only one scheduled home match between now and April 19 which is the scheduled first weekend of the post split fixtures.