Coronavirus – Joint Response Group Update 17 March

[ian1964 10,370]

Tuesday 17 March 2020

The Joint Response Group continues to meet daily. Earlier today, a UEFA videoconference call involving all 55 National Associations – including the Scottish FA’s President, Rod Petrie, and Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell – took place, where it was confirmed by UEFA that EURO 2020 will be postponed until next year, from 11 June to 11 July 2021.

Read the statement from UEFA here.

FAQs

Following requests for information from members and clubs, please find below rolling FAQs to inform key stakeholders of developments.

FAQs will reflect updated guidance from the football authorities and the information issued by Scottish and UK Government in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

1. Why was the decision taken to suspend Scottish football matches?

The decision was taken in the interest of public health and in the light of both Scottish and UK Government announcements as the country entered the ‘delay’ phase of the global coronavirus pandemic. After extensive follow-up discussions between the football authorities, the Scottish government and football bodies in England and abroad, it was decided by the board of the Scottish FA that suspension until further notice was the only course of action that could protect public health whilst providing clarity for the game in line with UK Medical Officer’s advice. The decision protects not just the general public but specifically supporters, players, club personnel, match officials and everyone involved in putting on match day events. It also reduces the burden on medical staff and the emergency services at a time when they are required to respond to the pandemic.

2. Is there a possibility that this season will be cancelled completely?

The preference remains that Season 2019/20 will be played to completion. However, Scottish football has been suspended until further notice and the Joint Response Group will continue to discuss the developments regarding the virus on a daily basis. The Scottish FA will take guidance from governments, the UK Chief Medical Officers, the Scottish FA medical consultant, Dr John MacLean, and information provided by the World Health Organisation. Given the ever-changing landscape of the virus in Scotland – as with countries across the world – the Scottish FA will only lift the suspension when it is deemed safe to do so from the perspective of public health, but also the safety of all stakeholders including supporters, players, match officials and staff.

3. Why couldn’t SPFL matches be played behind closed doors/televised, where practical?

This was one of the options considered and an approach that has been adopted in various countries. However, it was the unanimous view of the Scottish FA Board that this approach could compromise the health and safety of other key stakeholders, not least players, match officials and staff, as well as necessitating the attendance of emergency services and medical staff.

4. What are the implications for championships, promotions and relegation?

The Joint Response Group is engaged in a contingency planning phase that will assess all possible options for the remaining season and beyond. It would be inappropriate and unhelpful to speculate on any future decisions to be taken by competition organisers. We will, however, commit to updating clubs, supporters and other key stakeholders when appropriate in this fast-moving landscape.

5. Why have grassroots football matches been postponed when fewer than 500 people attend these matches anyway?

The Board of the Scottish FA felt it appropriate to provide clear instructions to the non-professional and grassroots games when a decision was made to suspend senior professional football. To reiterate, this decision was taken based on public health, the commitments of emergency and medical services, and also on the safety of those involved in the game, which applies from senior professional football to the lowest grassroots ages. This decision is also designed to protect the volunteer network that supports the grassroots game, in line with UK Chief Medical Officer’s advice.

6. Does your advice include preventing training at professional and grassroots level?

Each club, regardless of whether professional or recreational, has the responsibility to make decisions that keep its players, coaches, support staff and other employees safe. PFA Scotland has issued its own guidance to players and we are committed to supporting our members with individual advice.

Having taken medical advice, the Scottish FA Board recommends that no training or conditioning in groups should take place for the time being. This recommendation covers all levels of the game. Further updates on this will be given as and when further medical advice is received.

7. What will the Scottish FA/SPFL be doing to support clubs who may experience financial difficulties as a result?

The Scottish FA and SPFL are currently reviewing all their commercial contracts to understand the financial implications of the disruption so far.

The SPFL advances club fees across the season. The next such payment is due to be made in April. It remains the intention of the SPFL Board to make April’s scheduled payment to clubs.

Likewise, the Scottish FA is investigating ways in which support can be established in respect of advanced payment of distribution moneys and other ways in which we can help minimise the burden for members, where practicable.

As per an earlier Joint Response Group Update, the SPFL and the Scottish FA strongly advise clubs at all levels to review their insurance policies.

8. What will be the impact of the UEFA Nations League Play-Offs being postponed or cancelled?

We await the outcome of the videoconference to be hosted by UEFA’s Executive Committee with representative from 55 countries, the Board of the European Clubs Association and representatives from the European Leagues, the ECA and FIFPro on 17 March. We will update supporters – especially those who have purchased tickets for the match at Hampden Park against Israel – when we have a decision on whether the match will go ahead as scheduled on 26 March. We expect to receive information on UEFA Euro 2020 on this call and will update accordingly afterwards.

9. Will the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals and final go ahead as planned?

The semi-finals were due to be played on the weekend of 11 and 12 April with the final scheduled for 9 May. These will now be postponed. We will continue to monitor government and UK Chief Medical Officer advice in the coming days and weeks, in liaison with the participants, sponsors and broadcasters. We will ensure any decision regarding new dates is made with public health, the commitments of emergency services and medical staff, and safety at the forefront of our minds. We will also ensure that clubs have ample notice to prepare for the ties and the sale of tickets.

10. What is the latest Government advice?

On 16 March, the UK Government updated its position on the efforts required to attempt to delay the spread of the virus and reduce the pandemic’s peak.  The updated advice includes that:

• Anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least seven days; and
• Everyone in the UK should now avoid non-essential travel and contact with others, work from home where possible and that mass gatherings would no longer receive the support of the emergency services

General advice for employers can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

This advice will continue to be updated on a regular basis, so please ensure you are reading the most up to date release from government.

11. Will the Scottish FA and SPFL offices at Hampden Park remain open?

The offices of the Scottish FA and SPFL at Hampden Park remain open at present, although some staff have already been advised to work from home with immediate effect.  This will continue to be reviewed on a daily basis.

Subject to them remaining well, all Scottish FA and SPFL staff remain available to serve member clubs and are contactable by email and mobile telephone.

12. Should we close our club premises?

The Prime Minister stated on 16 March that he needed people to work from home if they possibly could. It is a matter for individual clubs to determine whether, during this period, they close their club premises. If you do decide to do so, please contact the Scottish FA and SPFL to let us know your club’s contact details during such period, in the event that they are different from the email addresses and mobile numbers already held for you.

13. Should we continue to treat injured players?

We understand the need to make sure that all your staff are fit and healthy.  Decisions on treating injured players should be risk assessed on a case by case basis in line with Government recommendations on personal contact.

14. What support for employers is available?

UK Government has announced that it will support small and medium-sized businesses and employers to cope with the extra costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay by refunding eligible SSP costs.  Employers with fewer than 250 employees appear to be eligible.

The Government will launch a new, temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, delivered by the British Business Bank, to support businesses to access bank lending and overdrafts.  The government has indicated that it will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each loan (subject to a per lender cap on claims).

To assist businesses in financial distress, HMRC has set up a dedicated coronavirus helpline to help those in need, and they may be able to agree a bespoke Time To Pay arrangement.

The Government has already announced that the Business Rates retail discount will be increased to 50% in 2020/21.  To support small businesses affected by coronavirus, the Government is increasing it further to 100% for 2020/21.  The relief will also be expanded to the leisure and hospitality sectors.

 

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/coronavirus-joint-response-group-update-17-march/?rid=13929

[compo 6,064]

no one has the guts just to declare the season over if it keeps getting worse then maybe the government will make that decision for them .

[Bill 13,717]

30 minutes ago, compo said:

no one has the guts just to declare the season over if it keeps getting worse then maybe the government will make that decision for them .

The season IS over. It's just that in the process of declaring it over the SPFL and SFA needs to find a way of awarding the league title to Celtic. Presumably this will be achieved by simultaneously buying off telling Hearts there will be no relegation this season and next season there will be 14 teams in the league. Everyone is then happy, no?

[Blue Moon 1,103]

11 minutes ago, Bill said:

The season IS over. It's just that in the process of declaring it over the SPFL and SFA needs to find a way of awarding the league title to Celtic. Presumably this will be achieved by simultaneously buying off telling Hearts there will be no relegation this season and next season there will be 14 teams in the league. Everyone is then happy, no?

I genuinely don't believe they can relegate Hearts any more than crown Celtic winners on the matches still to be played.  This is unprecedented circumstance and is unlikely ever to be repeated and there should be no winners or losers.

 

I should have added as fans we did not pay for our season tickets to have to accept being shafted by the authorities.  I would hope the club would be making their and our feelings known.  We should not be rolling over and handing them a title without winning it.

Edited March 17, 2020 by Blue Moon

[der Berliner 3,212]

Obviously, they can "just" reset the leagues as they stood at the beginning of the season. No issues regarding titles, promotions or relegations have been decided yet, so virtually no-one would have a bone of contention to wield.

[Bill 13,717]

I still expect the SPFL to play their expected part and award the title to Celtic. Despite all the many valid reasons why they shouldn't, we all know how Scottish football works and unfortunately it's a closed shop where decisions don't require justification and can't really be challenged. 

[compo 6,064]

55 minutes ago, Bill said:

I still expect the SPFL to play their expected part and award the title to Celtic. Despite all the many valid reasons why they shouldn't, we all know how Scottish football works and unfortunately it's a closed shop where decisions don't require justification and can't really be challenged. 

That's fine then Rangers should be awarded the 1939/40 title as we were on top a point ahead of Falkirk