Hibs chief Leeann Dempster will not take part in league reconstruction group to focus on 'biggest issue'

The Hibes CEO was expected to be one of
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Hibs CEO Leeann Dempster will no longer be part of the group which oversees possible league reconstruction, switching her focus to “the biggest issue facing our game”.

On Friday evening it was revealed Dempster would be part of the working group, chaired by Hearts chairman Ann Budge and Hamilton Academical vice chairman Les Gray regarding any league revamp.

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She was to be one of 15 members on the SPFL sub-group which was to meet today for the first time at 4pm.

Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster will no longer be part of the league reconstruction group. Picture: SNSHibs chief executive Leeann Dempster will no longer be part of the league reconstruction group. Picture: SNS
Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster will no longer be part of the league reconstruction group. Picture: SNS

However, it was confirmed by Hibs this afternoon that Dempster would no longer be part of the reconstruction discussions.

Instead she will be focused on providing solutions as to how and when Scottish football fans can get back to watch games safely in stadiums.

Hibs tweeted: “LeeanDempster will work with other Scottish clubs on the biggest issue facing our game - to identify how and when football supporters can safely return to Scottish grounds.

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“Leeann will take no part in the SPFL's working party on reconstruction.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed today that football as a spectator sport is unlikely to return anytime soon, while also pouring doubt over behind closed doors games.

She said: "I would absolutely say that people should not be under the expectation that large-scale mass gatherings will be starting any time soon because we must make sure that we are doing everything we can to continue to suppress this virus.

"I know that is not good news for the majority of our population who have sport as a really important part of their lives, culture and leisure time. But it would be wrong for me to give false expectation right now about an early resumption of football matches, rugby matches or large-scale sporting events like that.”

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Scotland's Interim Chief Medical Officer, Gregor Smith, added: "The very act of playing behind closed doors doesn't mean to say you won't get gatherings of people to try to enjoy sport together. All it does sometimes is it displaces people to other environments to watch that sport together, so we need to be very careful.

"Again, we need to be led by where the science and the evidence is for the future as we begin to learn how to live with this virus."

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