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SPFL and Covid ( Leagues 1 and 2 to restart )


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Saint Jambo
11 minutes ago, Carl Fredrickson said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56405073

 

A vote. I wonder what could possibly go wrong. 

 

Madness. Take Clyde. They have played 8 games, so 10 league games to play in just over a month. But they've also got a cup game against Keith which you'd expect them to win. That would then give them a game against Elgin or Ayr which isn't unwinnable for them. So potentially a part-time team being asked to play 11, 12 or even 13 games across 5 weekends and 5 mid-week slots. 

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11 minutes ago, Saint Jambo said:

 

Madness. Take Clyde. They have played 8 games, so 10 league games to play in just over a month. But they've also got a cup game against Keith which you'd expect them to win. That would then give them a game against Elgin or Ayr which isn't unwinnable for them. So potentially a part-time team being asked to play 11, 12 or even 13 games across 5 weekends and 5 mid-week slots. 

 

The the majority have brought this on themselves.

 

I am just hoping Ross County get relegated and Dundee miss the play off to complete the Karma.

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With some teams having played as few as eight matches, the SPFL board had suggested a revised 18-game structure.

However, a steering group made up of representatives from both divisions pushed for a 22-game alternative.

All clubs have been asked to return their votes "as soon as possible".

No team will be asked to play more than four matches in any eight consecutive days.

The inter-divisional play-offs between the Championship, League 1 and League 2 will start on 8 May, three days later than first planned.

What happens if there are further delays?

In the event that any club has not completed 18 fixtures by 23 April, then the split will be done away with and the competition will be decided over 18 games.

If any club cannot fulfil 18 fixtures by 6 May, then the final standings will be calculated on a points-per-game basis.

If 18 games are played by all but the post-split fixtures cannot be completed by 6 May, points-per-game will be the deciding factor for promotion, play-offs and relegation.

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10 minutes ago, Newton51 said:

There is no way they will get to 22 games. More likely 18 then a long wait until the play offs

 

Got to wait for the fixtures. Looking like games every 3 days with the odd one 2 days apart. 

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7 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

Got to wait for the fixtures. Looking like games every 3 days with the odd one 2 days apart. 

Have a look at Clyde fixtures 

 

 

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11 minutes ago, Newton51 said:

Have a look at Clyde fixtures 

 

 

Clyde’s fixtures are ridiculous. 8 games in 23 days I think 

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5 minutes ago, soonbe110 said:

Clyde’s fixtures are ridiculous. 8 games in 23 days I think 

Think it’s 10 league games in 31 days and Scottish cup ties in addition

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Bazzas right boot
On 15/03/2021 at 16:51, Saint Jambo said:

 

Madness. Take Clyde. They have played 8 games, so 10 league games to play in just over a month. But they've also got a cup game against Keith which you'd expect them to win. That would then give them a game against Elgin or Ayr which isn't unwinnable for them. So potentially a part-time team being asked to play 11, 12 or even 13 games across 5 weekends and 5 mid-week slots. 

 

 

Clyde will be full time before the seasons out at that rate. 

 

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Edinburgh City are Saturday > Tuesday throughout.

 

Cowdenbeath having played a league game less and also in Cup are Sat > Tues > Thu > Sat > Tues > Sat etc

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1 hour ago, Smith's right boot said:

Why not extend the season end date by more? 

 


Championship clubs refused to move the play off dates to allow them to extend the league. 

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Bazzas right boot
12 minutes ago, Dazo said:


Championship clubs refused to move the play off dates to allow them to extend the league. 

 

Ffs

 

Scottish football, never change. 

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Malinga the Swinga

With the odd exception, these clubs have no one to blame but themselves. 

Could have had reorganisation, could have had investigation into league, but the majority wanted status quo. 

No sympathy for them bar Partick, Falkirk, Edinburgh City and couple of others. 

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Saint Jambo
2 hours ago, Newton51 said:

There is no way they will get to 22 games. More likely 18 then a long wait until the play offs

 

Yeah, this is why the plan is so foolish. If all bar a couple of teams are at 18 games by 23rd April, then some teams in the play off will then have to wait two and a half weeks for their play-off game. It presumably won't be possible to bring the play-offs forward as they will involve a Championship club too. Instead they could have accepted they only have time for an 18 game season and spread it out over the time until the play-offs. But clubs want more games to give them more chance to move up the league. Madness.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-56465540

 

Rangers fans at Ibrox following the team's title win

Dozens of police officers have been forced to self-isolate after some positive Covid cases two weeks after Rangers' title win.

 

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said a number of officers who attended illegal gatherings of fans on 7 March have tested positive.

 

Other officers they had contact with were required to self-isolate.

 

It comes as a major police operation is planned for Sunday's Old Firm match in Glasgow.

 

The events at Ibrox and George Square two weeks ago have directly affected 30 to 40 officers as well as their families.

 

The BBC understands at least two officers involved in the policing operation later tested positive although it is not possible to determine with certainty where they were infected.

 

'Entirely predictable'

David Hamilton, chairman of the SPF, told the BBC: "It is entirely predictable and, of course, most of these officers will not have been vaccinated. It is everything we warned about.

 

"Our call is for people to reflect on those numbers and the impact it is having on the community through the lack of policing.

 

"We did not choose to be in George Square. It is something we had to do and it is part of our role."

 

Police containing crowd at George Square

Mr Hamilton urged both Rangers and Celtic fans to stay at home on Sunday to avoid putting frontline police officers at risk.

 

He described Sunday's police operation as one of the largest Police Scotland has conducted with personnel being drafted in from across Scotland.

 

Efforts have also been made to procure better protection for police officers, including higher-level FFP3 masks.

 

Celtic v Rangers match to go ahead after call-off warning

Rangers fans gather outside Ibrox despite lockdown

A total of 28 arrests were made made and seven fines issued after crowds of fans gathered to celebrate Rangers winning the Scottish Premiership.

 

'Infuriating and disgraceful'

Large numbers of supporters made their way to Ibrox Stadium and Glasgow's George Square to mark the achievement despite warnings to stay at home.

 

Nicola Sturgeon said the crowds were "infuriating and disgraceful" and could delay the end of the Covid lockdown.

 

Under current guidance public gatherings are banned and the "stay at home" order remains in place.

 

Four people from a maximum of two households are able to meet outdoors with social distancing required.

 

Football games are taking place behind closed doors with no fans in the stadium.

 

The 21 March Celtic v Rangers game was under threat of cancellation but was given the green light on Friday.

 

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said the decision to allow the game to go ahead followed "extensive engagement" with the clubs, the SPFL, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

 

Crowds gathered in George Square to celebrate Rangers winning the Scottish Premiership

He said: "Police Scotland have confirmed there will be a significant police presence in Glasgow to maintain public safety.

 

"I urge the fans to listen to the messages from their clubs, the police and government to stay at home.

 

"I also encourage Celtic and Rangers - and all other clubs in Scotland - to continue to encourage their supporters to stay home during games until they are permitted to return."

 

Police Scotland warned that officers would make arrests if there were any mass gatherings after the match, which is due to kick off at noon.

 

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said the clubs had acted "really, really responsibly" to convey the "stay at home" message to fans, and he urged supporters to follow this advice.

 

'Do the right thing'

Mr Higgins said: "Detailed plans are in place for an extensive and proportionate policing response to this weekend's match at Celtic Park.

 

"Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to encourage people to do the right thing to avoid the spread of the disease.

 

"However, where officers encounter blatant breaches of the legislation they will not hesitate to enforce the law where necessary to ensure public safety."

 

Responding to the positive police cases, a Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Police Scotland is following Scottish government and health guidance and where cases of coronavirus are identified, we work with the local health board and adhere to Test and Protect procedures.

 

"We have sufficient capacity and as a national service Police Scotland can flex resources should there be a requirement to do so."

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  • 2 weeks later...
SectionDJambo
6 minutes ago, Newton51 said:

Almost like the last year never happened. They will have to test players if the play off takes place

Clubs in the Lowland league wanting Kelty out of the way to enhance their own chances perhaps?

In fairness, they should have got their chance, along with Brora, last season.

Pressure now on the SPFL not to save Brechin from the threat of relegation again. 

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Saint Jambo

The only reason this seems in any way acceptable is because the teams at the top of the two leagues happen to be the same as last season. Claiming that Brora have won this season's Highland League on goal difference after 3 games, when 5 teams are on maximum points (some having played two games) is clearly absurd. 

 

Will be interesting to see if the play-offs get the go ahead. In theory football at all levels looks like being allowed to restart from 26 April with travel around the country, so no reason it shouldn't go ahead. No reason to impose a testing requirement. I imagine the lower leagues will stop testing anyway as soon as football participation opened up to general public. The precedent set last season that play-offs are scrapped was only because football wasn't allowed to be played at that time, so hard to see how the SPFL could justify not allowing the game to go ahead.

 

 

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Hagar the Horrible
25 minutes ago, Saint Jambo said:

The only reason this seems in any way acceptable is because the teams at the top of the two leagues happen to be the same as last season. Claiming that Brora have won this season's Highland League on goal difference after 3 games, when 5 teams are on maximum points (some having played two games) is clearly absurd. 

 

Will be interesting to see if the play-offs get the go ahead. In theory football at all levels looks like being allowed to restart from 26 April with travel around the country, so no reason it shouldn't go ahead. No reason to impose a testing requirement. I imagine the lower leagues will stop testing anyway as soon as football participation opened up to general public. The precedent set last season that play-offs are scrapped was only because football wasn't allowed to be played at that time, so hard to see how the SPFL could justify not allowing the game to go ahead.

 

 

I so want Either Kelty or Brora to beat Brechin,  I want to see how this board can justify screwing over the leagues again for self interest

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1 minute ago, Hagar the Horrible said:

I so want Either Kelty or Brora to beat Brechin,  I want to see how this board can justify screwing over the leagues again for self interest

aren't they trying to change the league structure for next season that would have OF colts and brora/kelty in the league thus saving brechin again

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They will have to decide this soon as it’s a 2 leg play off between the 2 champions before they play the bottom team and this would have to happen at the same time as the other play offs

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48 minutes ago, Newton51 said:

They will have to decide this soon as it’s a 2 leg play off between the 2 champions before they play the bottom team and this would have to happen at the same time as the other play offs

 

Assuming the Colts proposal is rejected. That seemed to have Brora and Kelty straight into League 2 in 16 team league.

Edited by Mikey1874
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1 hour ago, SectionDJambo said:

Clubs in the Lowland league wanting Kelty out of the way to enhance their own chances perhaps?

In fairness, they should have got their chance, along with Brora, last season.

Pressure now on the SPFL not to save Brechin from the threat of relegation again. 


Honestly I don't think so. It's maybe partly a two fingers up to the SPFL who didn't allow the play off last season. Also there is a log jam of sides looking to move up from the Lowland League. All the former West Juniors will start to come into contention for places in the Lowland league so teams like Auchinleck Talbot, Clydebank and Pollok will work their way up into the Lowland Legaue and are at the very least least comparable with Kelty.

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SectionDJambo
Just now, RobboM said:


Honestly I don't think so. It's maybe partly a two fingers up to the SPFL who didn't allow the play off last season. Also there is a log jam of sides looking to move up from the Lowland League. All the former West Juniors will start to come into contention for places in the Lowland league so teams like Auchinleck Talbot, Clydebank and Pollok will work their way up into the Lowland Legaue and are at the very least least comparable with Kelty.

There is certainly a fear amongst the Division 2 clubs about these non league teams getting the chance to enter the Scottish League. Cowdenbeath will be overtaken by Kelty eventually, which could be the beginning of the end for them. Too many clubs in that division have been plodding along, contributing little but still able to wag the dog, as was seen last summer.

East Stirling don't look like regaining their league status anytime soon, and others will fall into even more obscurity than they are in now. Even reconstruction won't save these teams, unless the SPFL go down the ludicrous route of a fifth division.

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Hagar the Horrible
2 hours ago, milky_26 said:

aren't they trying to change the league structure for next season that would have OF colts and brora/kelty in the league thus saving brechin again

Some of the league side dont want that, they dont want to just be there help the Old Firm get players fit most of whom will never play top flight.  Saying that as we have seen, they are all open to being cohersed into doing whatever Celtic want.

 

Dundee never got their glamour friendly, nor the Maroon pound.  Brechin voted themselves un-evictable, they bought themselves a year..feckitybye.   Albion could soon have their worst fears of a bus trip to Brora, 2 away games and a cup tie could kill them LOL

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Niemi’s gloves
3 hours ago, Saint Jambo said:

The only reason this seems in any way acceptable is because the teams at the top of the two leagues happen to be the same as last season. Claiming that Brora have won this season's Highland League on goal difference after 3 games, when 5 teams are on maximum points (some having played two games) is clearly absurd. 

 

Will be interesting to see if the play-offs get the go ahead. In theory football at all levels looks like being allowed to restart from 26 April with travel around the country, so no reason it shouldn't go ahead. No reason to impose a testing requirement. I imagine the lower leagues will stop testing anyway as soon as football participation opened up to general public. The precedent set last season that play-offs are scrapped was only because football wasn't allowed to be played at that time, so hard to see how the SPFL could justify not allowing the game to go ahead.

 

 

If the latest BBC story is right, all adult contact sport doesn’t restart until 17 May. But doubtless the SPFL/SFA will be lobbying to ensure that highland/lowland to league 2 playoffs can still go ahead..........  or perhaps not.

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Saint Jambo
1 hour ago, Niemi’s gloves said:

If the latest BBC story is right, all adult contact sport doesn’t restart until 17 May. But doubtless the SPFL/SFA will be lobbying to ensure that highland/lowland to league 2 playoffs can still go ahead..........  or perhaps not.

Yes, sorry your quite right. 17th May for contact adult sport outdoors. So would have to be played under the professional sport exemption, which Scottish Government have been willing to give previously. But as you say, it does give SPFL a potential out.

 

1 hour ago, milky_26 said:

the five rangers players who breached covid rules have all got 6 game bans

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56580699

 

4 games with 2 suspended. Looking at Rangers fixtures that means they'll miss two meaningless league games against St Johnstone and Hibs, a cup game against Cove and presuming they win that whoever they draw in the next run. They'll be back in time to play the quarter final and the last OF derby of the season. Not a huge impact it is fair to say.

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Malinga the Swinga
14 minutes ago, Saint Jambo said:

Yes, sorry your quite right. 17th May for contact adult sport outdoors. So would have to be played under the professional sport exemption, which Scottish Government have been willing to give previously. But as you say, it does give SPFL a potential out.

 

 

4 games with 2 suspended. Looking at Rangers fixtures that means they'll miss two meaningless league games against St Johnstone and Hibs, a cup game against Cove and presuming they win that whoever they draw in the next run. They'll be back in time to play the quarter final and the last OF derby of the season. Not a huge impact it is fair to say.

Looks like the boy on loan to Queen of the South misses Cup tie against vermin on Monday. 

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2 hours ago, Niemi’s gloves said:

If the latest BBC story is right, all adult contact sport doesn’t restart until 17 May. But doubtless the SPFL/SFA will be lobbying to ensure that highland/lowland to league 2 playoffs can still go ahead..........  or perhaps not.

If I was Kelty or Brora you would argue that they were allowed to play with testing for the Scottish cup so why not the play offs

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Hagar the Horrible
5 minutes ago, RobboM said:


I think it's more a dig at the Old Firm's arrogance

Its actualy quite clever, and a dig at Celtic, they are so against it

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Fozzyonthefence
On 01/04/2021 at 12:01, RobboM said:


I think it's more a dig at the Old Firm's arrogance


Hopefully means they will be voting against it. 

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On 02/04/2021 at 20:39, Footballfirst said:

Why am I not surprised?

 

 

 

Quite right. Highlights the inconsistency of the SFA. And Rangers already punished the players. Good back and fro between John Kennedy and Steven Gerrard. Gerrard pointing out Celtic players not punished for drinking together. 

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Hadn't seen it reported.

 

SPFL are to review the pyramid play offs. They say they are "considering several issues". Brechin's Ken Ferguson has resigned from SPFL board due to conflict of interest. 

 

Still have the proposal for the Colts which involved promoting 2 teams each from Lowland and Highland leagues. 

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August Landmesser
2 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

Hadn't seen it reported.

 

SPFL are to review the pyramid play offs. They say they are "considering several issues". Brechin's Ken Ferguson has resigned from SPFL board due to conflict of interest. 

 

Still have the proposal for the Colts which involved promoting 2 teams each from Lowland and Highland leagues. 

Took him 12 months to learn what a conflict of interest is eh?

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Footballfirst
3 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

Hadn't seen it reported.

 

SPFL are to review the pyramid play offs. They say they are "considering several issues". Brechin's Ken Ferguson has resigned from SPFL board due to conflict of interest. 

 

Still have the proposal for the Colts which involved promoting 2 teams each from Lowland and Highland leagues. 

It's in the East of Scotland Leagues thread.

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Lone Striker
3 hours ago, Mikey1874 said:

Hadn't seen it reported.

 

SPFL are to review the pyramid play offs. They say they are "considering several issues". Brechin's Ken Ferguson has resigned from SPFL board due to conflict of interest. 

 

Still have the proposal for the Colts which involved promoting 2 teams each from Lowland and Highland leagues. 

 

From the BBC site -   https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56696019

 

A couple of  (..ahem..  )  interesting bits from it -

 

 

 

In a statement from the SPFL, Ken Ferguson (Brechin)  said he wants "to devote all my time and energy into ensuring that Brechin City do not finish bottom of League 2 this season".

.

.

.

Kelty Hearts have been declared champions of the Lowland League and Brora Rangers announced as Highland League champions, both for the second year running.

However, the SPFL points out Kelty had played just 13 games and Brora only three this season and that it is not yet certain whether League 2 clubs will complete all 22 planned matches.

It will therefore decide on 19 April whether either Kelty or Brora "meet the SPFL's membership criteria".

"Only then will the SPFL be in a position to announce the position in respect of pyramid play-offs this season," it stated.

 

Well, well, well  - our revered SPFL blazers now considering SCRAPPING the concept of  relegation/promotion if you don't complete the full fixtures.      

 

And can anyone explain in what way Ferguson (having resigned)  will be able to devote "all his energies" to helping Brechin avoid relegation ?   Being on the SPFL board is not a full-time job anyway..... and he's not involved in Brechin's matchday team decisions.     A cynic might suggest that his former chums o the SPFL board are  "devoting all their energies" to that cause already.  :whistling:

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Under the floodlight
17 minutes ago, Lone Striker said:

 

From the BBC site -   https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56696019

 

A couple of  (..ahem..  )  interesting bits from it -

 

 

 

In a statement from the SPFL, Ken Ferguson (Brechin)  said he wants "to devote all my time and energy into ensuring that Brechin City do not finish bottom of League 2 this season".

.

.

.

Kelty Hearts have been declared champions of the Lowland League and Brora Rangers announced as Highland League champions, both for the second year running.

However, the SPFL points out Kelty had played just 13 games and Brora only three this season and that it is not yet certain whether League 2 clubs will complete all 22 planned matches.

It will therefore decide on 19 April whether either Kelty or Brora "meet the SPFL's membership criteria".

"Only then will the SPFL be in a position to announce the position in respect of pyramid play-offs this season," it stated.

 

Well, well, well  - our revered SPFL blazers now considering SCRAPPING the concept of  relegation/promotion if you don't complete the full fixtures.      

 

And can anyone explain in what way Ferguson (having resigned)  will be able to devote "all his energies" to helping Brechin avoid relegation ?   Being on the SPFL board is not a full-time job anyway..... and he's not involved in Brechin's matchday team decisions.     A cynic might suggest that his former chums o the SPFL board are  "devoting all their energies" to that cause already.  :whistling:

Get the SPFL tracker out, watch the distancing then the inevitable return complete with his impartiality in tact. 

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