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Hearts could face an 18-game 2020/21 season with plans in place to discuss a shortened season in the Championship.

In addition, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster issued concerns over the Betfred Cup due to start in July.

Raith Rovers chairman Bill Clark revealed to the Daily Mail that the second tier may not begin until January following the Scottish Government’s release of a four-stage process to exit lockdown.

Could the Scottish Championship be a shortened version next season. Picture: SNS

Such a move could see the Championship cut in half.

The SPFL are keen for the Premiership to get back up and running with the new £125million broadcast deal with Sky Sports beginning on August 1.

Championship clubs are due to meet on Monday to talk through possible plans for an 18-game campaign to start later this year or in 2021.

There are doubts over the affordability of coronavirus test kits for many clubs, while some clubs have concerns about not playing for a sustained period of time which could last more than half a year.

Neil Doncaster has issued concerns about the Betfred Cup. Picture: SNS

Clark said: “From what I'm hearing, it's very possible that the Championship might not start until January. And play only half the fixtures.

“So that's always a possibility - and that's based on the medical advice. It takes four to six weeks for players to train and get up to a professional level.

“And the testing costs for players and staff are enormous. I don't see how Championship clubs could afford to pay the costs involved - I really don't.”

Hearts chairman Ann Budge is set to present her case and proposals for league reconstruction after it was brought back to the table having originally been scrapped.

Meanwhile, Doncaster’s word of warning regarding the challenges posed by the Betfred Cup with Premier Sports beginning a new broadcast deal for the tournament.

Hearts, Hibs and Edinburgh City are all primed to enter the group stage.

Speaking to Scotland Tonight, he noted the problems Scottish football faces across the 2020/21 campaign.

“The Betfred Cup is due to start in the middle of July and that is a particular challenge, particularly around the involvement of part-time clubs,” Doncaster said.

“We have never faced a crisis of this magnitude. It’s something which is unprecedented and which really does threaten the existence of the game in this country.

“There is going to be huge stress in the coming season. We may all look back at season 2019-20 as being one of crisis, but I don’t think that will prove to be the case. I think we’ll be saying season 2020-21 was where the real problems were.

He added: “Separate from that, we’d look to have a date when we can get fans back in the stadiums, which is clearly the goal. Scottish football is reliant on broadcasting income but far more from money generated coming through the turnstiles.

“We’ve made it clear to the Scottish Government that if we can’t get fans back anytime soon, that causes very real threats to all clubs in Scotland.”

Hearts could face 18-game Championship season as Neil Doncaster issues Betfred Cup concern