SPFL clubs have held discussions that could see the season called after just 19 matches.
Last season the clubs voted to end the season and award prize money after 30 matches kicking off a long running battle led by Hearts against their relegation to the Championship. Celtic were awarded the title based on picking up an average of 2.67 points per match with 80 points from 30 fixtures.
The SPFL had no rules for deciding how an unfinished season is determined with the 2019/20 season halted in unprecedented circumstances.
In order to resolve the issue the proposal to end last season required 75% support from clubs in The Premiership, Championship and the combined League One and League Two membership.
There are a number of doubts over whether the current season can be completed with the board of the SPFL looking to have rules in place to prevent another summer of mud slinging.
The Sun reports:
SPFL clubs could be asked again for their permission to call the new season should the pandemic force another shutdown.
SunSport understands the subject was raised at yesterday’s meeting of the clubs, with the league board still keen to get a clear plan in place should football be stopped again.
And they could propose to hand out prizes and trigger relegations if over FIFTY PERCENT of games have been completed.
With Scottish football on its last warning from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon following this month’s misdemeanours, plus the threat of a second wave of the disease looming in winter, the league’s board want rules in writing.
After a summer of in-fighting over how last season was wrapped up, the clubs refused to give the board permission to decide should disaster strike and football be stopped again.
But the SPFL now hope that having seen how precarious the game’s position is, they will be in a position to gain enough backing for a fresh resolution to form new rules and avoid a repeat of civil war in future.
Extending the rule from 19 to 22 matches would seem fairer meaning that barring postponements each team would have played each other twice.
Celtic’s 19th game this season is at home to Hibs on January 9 although the postponed games against St Mirren and Aberdeen could be played before then. Neil Lennon’s side will miss out on the home game against St Mirren on October 31 to play last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen and also an away match with Livingston if they reach the Scottish Cup Final.
As things stand after 19 matches Celtic wouldn’t have played St Mirren.
