SPFL will never be forgiven if lockdown robs fans of their club – Ian Murray MP

Matches could yet be played in June, July or August, and if not then league reconstruction with no relegation is what Scottish football needs, says Ian Murray.

Hearts are facing the threat of relegation if the season comes to a premature end (Picture: Ross Parker/SNS Group)

Everyone’s focus is on keeping people healthy, safe and secure during this crisis. The country may never return to the way it was and that means that both the Scottish and UK governments need to take measures that would have seemed unpalatable just a few short weeks ago.

My party and I have made it clear that we will do everything we can to support both governments at this time, but it is not a blank cheque without scrutiny.

Almost every sector has been putting forward their issues and asking for appropriate support, their sole aim to ensure their sectors can get through this crisis and recover as quickly as possible.

Ian Murray is the Labour MP for Edinburgh South

One of the organisations that doesn’t seem to be covering itself in glory is that of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). What on earth is going on in Scottish Football? At a time when everyone has to pull together to get through the immediate crisis and then bounce back as quickly as possible, the SPFL is yet again mired in controversy, calamity and confusion that does little to help member clubs and even less to help fans of the game.

There are a few things we know and much more we don’t, but for the average fan looking in it’s a head-scratching mess. The organisation doesn’t even appear to be able to organise a simple vote of its 42 clubs.

The primary role at this stage must be to get any money they have to the clubs to help support their cashflow. That could be done as loans in lieu of prize money, prize money itself, or grants. It shouldn’t have strings attached or be inhibited in any way. Clubs need the resources, so make sure they can get them.

The other role must be to have a common-sense approach to when football may be played again. This situation is moving so quickly that decisions made today are outdated before the sun rises tomorrow. If anyone can tell you when football will be played again they are either guessing or lying or both. We simply don’t know. However, there is no need to cross the bridge in terms of cancelling or ending the current season until you come to the bridge.

Fully dependent on the best medical and scientific advice on social distancing and mass gatherings, the best scenario would be for the current football season, in all divisions, to be completed in June or July or even August – with the new season starting immediately afterwards, curtailed if necessary. That is surely the only way to preserve the sporting integrity of the game in Scotland. No fan will mind an altered 20/21 season as a one-off.

If the current season can’t be completed, then surely it is in the interests of individual clubs and the wider game to come to an agreement which ensures no club is worse off.

I do declare an interest as a Hearts fan and, candidly, if any club deserved to be relegated this season it is probably Hearts, but this is about the wider game and the fans.

I suggest declaring Celtic the league winners, have no relegations from any league and promote clubs on their current standings. That would create a 14-team top division. Each team could play against each other home and away and then split into two mini-leagues of seven teams. Again, play each other home and away for a 38-game season, which is the same number of games at the moment.

If it’s a good format you could relegate a couple of teams and promote a couple. If clubs and fans want to revert to 12 teams the following season, then relegate three and promote one with the fourth-bottom and second-top in the lower divisions in a play-off.

Let’s have a bit of imagination to support the clubs and reward the fans.

If the SPFL presides over a situation that robs fans of their club then it will never be forgiven.

Unfortunately, common sense and putting fans first has never been high up on the governing body’s agenda.

Maybe when this crisis is over the long overdue fundamental change in how our national sport is run will happen. I won’t hold my breath though.

Stay safe.

Ian Murray is the Labour MP for Edinburgh South