Popular Post JohnMc 2,463 Posted October 20, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 20, 2020 There is a chance that professional football in Scotland could be stopped before Christmas and a very real chance that the league won't finish before next summer, so while I understand the suspicion the SPFL need to at least begin communicating with clubs on what might happen if that turns out to be the case. If we were to get a bad winter weather wise leading to weather related postponements, on top of Covid postponements we could have some farcical looking league tables in a few months, that's assuming the government doesn't implement a full lockdown before that. I suspect everything will be done to keep the top league going, but I could see the Championship and Leagues 1 and 2 shutting down, so they need to have something agreed that prevents member clubs suing each other again. Ireland has just gone into lockdown again but have agreed to allow professional and top level sport to continue as long as bubbles and isolation continues. I expect other countries will implement similar in the coming weeks, ours included. For me the big question is at what point can a league be 'called'. Clearly with 9 games to go is the current benchmark, but what if there were 12 to go, or half the fixtures still to play? What do they do if suddenly Motherwell find they've played 5 games less than most other sides through no fault of their own, do they get relegated if they're bottom? Motherwell and Aberdeen have already played 2 less than us and the weather has been good so far. So I think the SPFL do need to try and agree some sort of framework for all eventualities. Do I trust them though? Not much is probably my answer. I can't see Mulraney, Doncaster, Lawwell and co doing anything but helping Celtic, it's whether they can still garner enough support from other clubs. Surely Dundee won't be duped by the lure of glamour friendlies again, or anyone else for that matter. So it's more important than ever that we keep winning, that whatever happens we're at the top of the league. I'd be willing to sacrifice the League and Scottish Cups to our reserve side to make sure the first team are fit, healthy and available for the league, because this season we'll see skullduggery like none before it. 9 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gunslinger 3,366 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 we could argue the benchmark is 10 games to go with two teams having that many left when the leagues were called last year. or 72 percent which would allow the top league to be called with 11 games to go. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thinker 851 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 3 minutes ago, the gunslinger said: we could argue the benchmark is 10 games to go with two teams having that many left when the leagues were called last year. or 72 percent which would allow the top league to be called with 11 games to go. You could also argue that calling the league after matchday 22 would be legitimate; every team having played every other team home and away once (like they do in proper foootball leagues...) 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 13,717 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 There’s no need for the league not to be completed. None at all. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,219 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 1 hour ago, Bill said: There’s no need for the league not to be completed. None at all. Indeed. It is about players and staff being responsible and professional. If they don't, authorities might decide what to do with such teams and/or players. Well, in a normal country ... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,386 Posted October 20, 2020 Author Share Posted October 20, 2020 CLUB STATEMENT St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick has written to his Motherwell counterpart Alan Burrows to complain about unacceptable statements by Fir Park coach Maurice Ross during a BBC Radio Scotland broadcast in which Ross cast doubt on the reasons for St Mirren seeking the COVID-related cancellation of Saturday’s scheduled clash between the two clubs. The text of Tony’s letter reads: "I am writing to express my disappointment at the comments of Maurice Ross on the above Podcast following the postponement of the fixture between our respective clubs on Saturday 17 October. "In particular I deprecate any suggestion that we or any other football club would take advantage of this pandemic for personal gain. Any notion that we have been “opportunistic” in seeking to discharge our public health responsibilities is a fallacy. I cannot fathom why Mr Ross would seek to publicly call into question the integrity of a fellow SPFL member club for adhering to the agreed protocols which are in place to protect players, officials and clubs. "As we, and all football clubs in Scotland, try to navigate our way through these difficult times the comments of Mr Ross are both unfortunate and unhelpful. "With respect I would suggest Mr Ross might want to reflect on the comments which he broadcast to the nation and I am sure he will support your fellow clubs in being hyper vigilant as we work together to tackle this virus. I would be grateful if he could avoid such derisory language in future." https://www.stmirren.com/all-news/3799-club-statement-9 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 13,717 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 1 hour ago, ian1964 said: CLUB STATEMENT St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick has written to his Motherwell counterpart Alan Burrows to complain about unacceptable statements by Fir Park coach Maurice Ross during a BBC Radio Scotland broadcast in which Ross cast doubt on the reasons for St Mirren seeking the COVID-related cancellation of Saturday’s scheduled clash between the two clubs. The text of Tony’s letter reads: "I am writing to express my disappointment at the comments of Maurice Ross on the above Podcast following the postponement of the fixture between our respective clubs on Saturday 17 October. "In particular I deprecate any suggestion that we or any other football club would take advantage of this pandemic for personal gain. Any notion that we have been “opportunistic” in seeking to discharge our public health responsibilities is a fallacy. I cannot fathom why Mr Ross would seek to publicly call into question the integrity of a fellow SPFL member club for adhering to the agreed protocols which are in place to protect players, officials and clubs. "As we, and all football clubs in Scotland, try to navigate our way through these difficult times the comments of Mr Ross are both unfortunate and unhelpful. "With respect I would suggest Mr Ross might want to reflect on the comments which he broadcast to the nation and I am sure he will support your fellow clubs in being hyper vigilant as we work together to tackle this virus. I would be grateful if he could avoid such derisory language in future." https://www.stmirren.com/all-news/3799-club-statement-9 It's like an ant and a flea arguing under a stone at the far end of the garden - hard to give a shit about. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo79 13,553 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 10 hours ago, JohnMc said: There is a chance that professional football in Scotland could be stopped before Christmas and a very real chance that the league won't finish before next summer Why? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMc 2,463 Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 10 hours ago, Gonzo79 said: Why? Because politicians make decisions usually for political reasons. Because public opinion might turn on highly remunerated footballers if examples of poor behaviour are reported while large parts of the country are locked down. Because already several clubs in Scotland have been unable to keep their players and staff in a secure bubble while infection rates are quite low and the weather was ok. Because part time teams in particular will find secure bubbles almost impossible to maintain as players have other jobs. Because clubs might find it hard to fulfil fixtures. Because it seems likely that infection rates, hospital admissions and deaths will rise in the coming weeks and a full lockdown might be imposed at some point. Because it might suit some clubs. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacK1950 2,226 Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 5 minutes ago, JohnMc said: Because it might suit some clubs. I wonder who???? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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