Hearts v Hibs Scottish Cup semi final could go ahead as Uefa give 'strong recommendation' for season to finish

Uefa want the current season to be played to a conclusion. Picture: SNS

Hearts and Hibs could yet meet for the Scottish Cup semi final after Uefa gave the SPFL and the Scottish FA a “strong recommendation” that the current season be played to a conclusion on the field.

The governing body met with its 55 member associations to present a variety of “calendar options” covering national team and club competition matches.

The SPFL have already terminated the Championship, League One and League Two after its resolution had been passed.

It is expected that, if given the go ahead by Uefa, the organisation would terminate the top flight on the same points per game basis.

Uefa, however, have issued a statement clarifying its position on leagues with the view top flight leagues and cup competitions be played.

“There was a strong recommendation given to finish domestic top division and cup competitions,” the body said, “but some special cases will be heard once guidelines concerning participation to European competitions - in case of a cancelled league - have been developed.”

Any decisions will be announced following a meeting of the Uefa Executive Committee on Thursday.

The announcement from Uefa pours doubt on terminating the Premiership before all 38 games, unless the SPFL are seen as one of the “special cases”.

Hibs chief Leeann Dempster argued that time be taken before any decision is made on the Premiership.

With First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggesting football won’t be returning anytime soon, Dempster believes there is no need to rush.

“It’s going to be hard, we won’t pretend otherwise,” she said. “But there is no requirement for us to be making decisions now, to call it now. We’ve got some time. It would be too quick to do so. Things are changing all the time and we need to give it every opportunity.

“If the league was to finish at one point, it might be later in the year than you would expect. If you’re not going to have people in the stadium anyway, why would you be barrelling towards starting next season on August 1 or whenever? It might be that you’ve got some time.

“Could you delay the start of next season and condense it over a shorter period? For example, you could start the new season in September. These are just questions to be asked.

“People are talking about fairness. But we’re in extraordinary times.”