UEFA has confirmed that the SPFL method for awarding domestic titles has been adopted by all member associations.
Last week the three lower divisions in Scotland were decided with Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers confirmed as champions based on average points per game.
No decision was taken on the outcome of The Premiership until approval was given from UEFA.
On Tuesday all 55 national associations held a video conference, today a meeting of UEFA’s Executive firmed up their proposals to decide this season’s competitions- and entry to the 2020/21 Champions League and Europa League.
Explaining the thinking for their decisions UEFA stated:
As a result of representations made by the football authorities in Belgium and Scotland, the Committee recognises the issues raised and approved the Guidelines on eligibility principles for 2020/21 UEFA club competitions. The Guidelines reflect the principle that admission to UEFA club competitions is always based on sporting merit.
The UEFA statement added:
If a domestic competition is prematurely terminated for legitimate reasons in accordance with the above conditions, UEFA would require the National Association concerned to select clubs for the UEFA club competitions 2020/21 based on sporting merit in the 2019/20 domestic competitions:
- the procedure for selecting clubs should be based on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles. National Associations and Leagues, should otherwise have the ability to decide the final positions in their domestic competitions, having regard to the specific circumstances of each competition;
- the final determination of eligible places for the UEFA club competitions should be confirmed by the relevant competent bodies at domestic level.
UEFA reserves the right to refuse or evaluate the admission to any club proposed by a National Association from a prematurely terminated domestic competition in particular where:
- the domestic competitions have not been prematurely terminated based on the reasons given in these UEFA guidelines or on the basis of any other legitimate public health reasons;
- the clubs were selected pursuant to a procedure which was not objective, transparent and non-discriminatory so that the selected clubs could not be considered as having been qualified on sporting merit;
- there is a public perception of unfairness in the qualification of the club.
Earlier today the Scottish Government repeated their warning that it will be many months before mass gatherings are able to take place again.
Currently there will be no football training staged in Scotland before June 10 with at least a month of training required before consideration can be given to resuming the sport.
The 2020/21 SPFL season is scheduled to start on August 1 which will take priority now that a means has been established to complete this season.
With an average of 2.67 points per game Celtic will be crowned Premiership champions- their ninth successive title.