The SPFL has begun a process of trying to find an agreed way to decide the 20/21 season if the fixture card can’t be completed.
In March the 19/20 season came to an end with 10 of the 12 Premiership clubs having eight matches left to play with one other outstanding fixture.
Two months after the final fixtures were played the board of the SPFLÂ secured the votes of enough clubs across all four decisions to call the final places and prize money based on average points per game.
That decision triggered a mountain of criticism from clubs that had had a horrendous season with Celtic winning their ninth title with an average of 2.67 points per game. The nearest challengers to Neil Lennon’s side were 13 points adrift after starting 2020 just two points behind.
Average points per game seems the only way to decide an unfinished season but the big decision is when that call can be made- after 50%, 70% or 80% of matches played?
The Daily Mail reports:
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and SFA Vice president Mike Mulraney addressed a virtual meeting of top flight clubs yesterday.
And Sportsmail understands clubs from all four leagues will be consulted in a quest to try to find a consensus on what should happen if the season can’t be finished.
In July clubs rejected a resolution seeking to let the SPFL board decide the fate of the campaign if the virus returned with a vengeance.
However, recent positive test results for Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstrong, Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard and players from Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Hamilton have once again cast the matter into sharp focus.
As things stand Celtic have the highest average points per game total but that would change if they lost next Saturday’s Glasgow derby.
The only alternative put forward last season was ‘null n void’ which would have led to compensation claims to the SPFL from broadcasters and sponsors.