MX23RW : Thursday, March 4 17:14:40| >> :120:32275:32275:

Scottish football below Championship level suspended into March

All but the top two divisions of the men's game were suspended from January 12 after Scotland went into tighter social restrictions.

The suspended levels of Scottish football will have to wait three more weeks for any information on when they can resume.

All but the top two divisions of the men's game were suspended from January 12 after Scotland went into tighter social restrictions to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

The initial period of suspension was three weeks but the Scottish football authorities can give no concrete details on when the hiatus will end.

A statement from the Scottish Football Association read: "In recent weeks, the Scottish FA has engaged extensively with clubs and leagues affected by the suspension of professional football across the men's and women's game to discuss tailored return to playing plans for implementation when it is considered safe and appropriate to resume.

"We have also remained in regular dialogue with Scottish Government to ensure their input into and ultimately approval of those proposed plans.

"Regrettably, the government has today confirmed that – in cognisance of the current restrictions in place across the country – they cannot currently commit to return dates for those affected leagues in the coming weeks.

"We will continue to speak with all parties in the meantime and will provide a further update by March 1.

"This date should not be seen as a proposed restart date, however it should help provide some clarity to affected clubs to aid their planning over the short term.

"Whilst this is disappointing news, Scottish football will continue to play its part in assisting the Scottish Government's efforts to reduce the prevalence of Covid-19 across the country."

The news affects League One and Two clubs including Partick Thistle and Falkirk along with the leagues in the recently-expanded pyramid and the women's top two divisions.

The delay will raise further doubts about the feasibility of this season's Scottish Cup. The third round was scheduled to take place on the last weekend of January and league games have already been moved to fourth-round weekend this month.

But 13 second-round games also remain outstanding with the final scheduled to take place on May 8 ahead of Hampden's transformation into a Euro 2020 venue.

ID:434474:cQx:QQ:
Latest coronavirus PSA banner

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
General view of Rugby Park, home to Kilmarnock, from 2011
Read Next:
Kilmarnock and St Mirren successfully appeal coronavirus forfeits
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27205256173965
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd27149453322151
3Leicester CityLeicester27155746311550
4West Ham UnitedWest Ham2613674031945
5Chelsea26128641251644
6Liverpool26127747341343
7Everton2513483833543
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs25116841271439
9Aston Villa251231038271139
10Arsenal26114113427737
11Leeds UnitedLeeds26112134344-135
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2797112837-934
13Crystal Palace2797112943-1434
14Southampton2686123144-1330
15Burnley2778121935-1629
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton26511102633-726
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2675142744-1726
18Fulham26411112132-1123
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2638152055-3517
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2742211643-2714

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!