Clubs set to reject 'middle of the road' SPFL proposal on powers to call season and forfeit fixtures

Neil Doncaster wrote to clubs last month (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images).

The league body polled the 42 member clubs last month with responses to be received by the weekend on handing powers to call the season back to the league and determining the outcome of games where coronavirus restrictions have impacted clubs’ ability to fulfil fixtures.

An official response to the survey has yet to be revealed by the league organisers but club chairmen and directors across the divisions were said to be against the deduction of points or a match forfeit penalty, according to The Daily Record.

One club official told The Scotsman they “wouldn’t be surprised” if the questionnaire’s outcome was inconclusive or rejected – but none had heard officially from the SPFL this morning, adding: “I haven’t spoken to anyone who thought returning powers to the league or points deductions were a good idea.

Responses had to be received by Hampden's football officials by Friday. Picture: John Devlin

"There needs to be something in place, but that’s very different from saying we want to hand over absolute power – these seem to be middle of the road suggestions.”

The questionnaire asked for opinions on plans and contingencies if the campaign cannot be completed due to the pandemic with who, at what point, and how the season should be called if the schedule is not completed, and whether teams unable to fulfil fixtures should be subject to a 3-0 forfeit penalty.

Clubs voted to reject devolving powers to decide the league season’s outcome back to the upper floors of Hampden in July – but since then no further plan has been put in place.

SPFL Board's latest bid to grab season-ending powers is doomed to fail - Iain McMenemy

So far this season Motherwell have seen two matches called off due to positive Covid-19 tests affecting their opponents with St Mirren and Kilmarnock being investigated over call-offs affecting their matches.

Earlier in the season St Mirren had to draft in emergency goalkeeper Bobby Zlamal from Hearts in order to fulfil fixtures after a virus outbreak left them without any available goalkeepers.

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.