Scottish Football Suspends Games for 3 Weeks
Scottish football has decided to suspend all leagues below Championship level, the suspension will last for at least three weeks and the suspension will start from today midnight.
Scottish football authority has taken this step due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the league. The impacted leagues include SPFL Leagues 1 and 2 and SWPL 1 and 2.
The Highland and Lowland Leagues, the East, West and South of Scotland Leagues, Scottish Junior FA Leagues and the North Caledonian League are also suspended.
Scottish Cup ties which was to start from 12th of January and 1 February will be rescheduled. Camelon Juniors v Brora Rangers is scheduled for 19:30 GMT on Monday, with Celtic v Hibernian in the Premiership at 19:45.
Weekly PCR testing will be required for players and staff in the Championship. Regular testing has been in place for Premiership clubs since the season started in August.
The temporary pause will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Scottish Football Association board in partnership with the Scottish government.
A statement from the Scottish Football Association read: “The board gave extensive consideration to making a decision in the interests of public health, taking cognisance of the government’s wish to reduce travel and possible contact with others whilst safeguarding commercial broadcasting contracts that sustain the professional game.
“Following a meeting between the Scottish FA and the minister for public health sport and wellbeing, both parties have agreed to impose a temporary suspension of all football beneath the Scottish Professional Football League Championship, encompassing all predominantly part-time tiers of the Scottish professional pyramid, from midnight tonight.”
This move is very good as the number of positive coronavirus cases is on the increase, Celtic have 13 of their first-team players and their two head coaches are all self-isolating while the rest of the team prepare for Hibernian clash later today.