This is when UEFA wants Hearts, Hibs and Edinburgh City to restart the 2019/20 season as SPFL warned against finishing early

The SPFL and Scottish FA have been urged against cancelling the current campaign with the belief the the 2019/2020 season can be up and running by July.

In a letter signed by Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, and seen by Sky Sports, governing bodies have been told that even a situation like the coronavirus pandemic should not prevent competitions played until conclusion.

Yesterday, it was announced that the Belgian Super League end immediately with Club Brugge crowned champions one game before entering into the league’s play-offs. There was, however, no decision on relegation.

The SPFL have been warned against finishing the league early. Picture: Getty | Getty Images

Uefa have looked to dissuade other leagues following suit and hope to have a plan in place by mid-May as to how to proceed.

The organisation had originally hoped to have football concluded by the end of June but as the situation has developed that was naive, hopeful at best.

Sky Sports understand that the aim is now July.

The UEFA letter states: "It is of paramount importance that even a disruptive event like this epidemic does not prevent our competitions from being decided on the field, in accordance with their rules and that all sporting titles are awarded on the basis of results.

"As responsible leaders in our sport, this is what we must ensure, until the last possibility exists and whilst planning, operational and regulatory solutions are available.

"We are confident that football can restart in the months to come - with conditions that will be dictated by public authorities - and believe that any decision of abandoning domestic competitions is, at this stage, premature and not justified.

“Closely following the development of the current situation, the calendar working group will indicate as soon as possible, and ideally by mid-May, which of the plans can be enacted for the completion of the season without leaving anyone behind. Stopping competitions should really be the last resort after acknowledging that no calendar alternative would allow to conclude the season."

Ceferin also signed a letter alongside the European Club Association and European Leagues which states “abandoning domestic competitions is, at this stage, premature and not justified”.

It states: “We are confident that football can restart in the months to come – with conditions that will be dictated by public authorities – and believe that any decision of abandoning domestic competitions is, at this stage, premature and not justified. Since participation in Uefa club competitions is determined by the sporting result achieve at the end of a full domestic competition, a premature termination would cast doubts about the fulfilment of such condition. Uefa reserves the right to assess the entitlement of clubs to be admitted to the 2020/21 Uefa club competitions, in accordance with the relevant applicable competition regulations.

“We know how much you share with us the core values of our sport and feel your support in our mission to protect the integrity of its competitions. We call on all and everyone to loyally back our joint endeavours in the collective interest of European football and trust your representatives in the working group.”