THE SFA/SPFL Joint Response Group today announced that decisions on the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals and Euro 2020 play-off semi-final will be made following UEFA talks tomorrow.
The governing bodies took the decision to suspend all domestic professional and grassroots football under their jurisdiction for the foreseeable future on Friday due to the coronavirus pandemic following consultation with the Scottish government.
The joint response group today provided a further update - and revealed announcements will be made on the cup and play-off semi-finals following the discussions that UEFA have planned tomorrow.
There have been calls to declare the 2019/20 league campaigns null and void - and also to name Celtic Ladbrokes Premiership champions and relegate Hearts from the top flight due to the league placings on March 13.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster described the unprecedented shutdown as the most challenging period in football's history - and stressed decisions would be made in the sport's best interest.
A statement read: "The Joint Response Group continues to meet daily. This update follows the decision of the Scottish FA Board on 13 March to suspend all football under its jurisdiction until further notice and the advice from the Scottish government (issued on March 15) in relation to mass events.
"On Friday, March 13, implementing the Scottish FA’s suspension of the game in Scotland for an indefinite period, the SPFL board postponed all league matches due to take place over the weekend of 14/15 March and this midweek.
"The SPFL Board has today postponed the playing of Ladbrokes League fixtures pending any government order and/or further direction from the Scottish FA. The Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup final, scheduled for March 28, is also postponed on the same basis.
"A UEFA conference call (involving all 55 associations, the European Clubs Association, the European Leagues and FIFPro, the world players’ union) will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17.
"A decision on the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals and UEFA Nations League play-off against Israel will be made by the Scottish FA Board after that conference call."
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “The focus of the Scottish FA remains the public health, the emergency services and the health and safety of players, match officials, and staff across the game.
“Many thousands of fans are looking forward to the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals and the UEFA Nations League play-off against Israel.
"We understand that they, and all fans of Scottish football, will want urgent clarity about those games. We expect to be in a position after tomorrow’s UEFA conference call, to make a further announcement.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “The significant challenges being faced by people all over the country have put sport firmly in perspective.
"However, we have a responsibility to deal with the many difficult issues caused by this outbreak and are working hard with the Scottish FA, with our clubs, and with government departments to arrive at the best possible outcome for our game.
“We are very conscious of the desire of all 42 Ladbrokes SPFL clubs and their fans to know, as soon as possible, of our plans for the league, but everyone recognises we are facing what is arguably the most challenging time in our sport’s history.
“There are undoubtedly going to be further challenges ahead, but everyone involved is pulling together as one and we will continue to make decisions in the very best interests of the game as a whole.”
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