Is this weekend the last match we get to go to this season?

[bennett]

31 minutes ago, Insaintee said:

The ideal scenario is that the games were not cancelled. But they are so anything else is not the ideal scenario.

But best second choice is clearly to finish the season.  Pity we don't play on with Hearts on the ropes, and the **** must be thinking the same about the ****. The problem comes when we have to move into the new season. Hearts could have bought a whole new team by then,, so the SPFL have to ensure that only currently registered player can play in the rest of "this season,"

There are circumstance were we wont be able to finish the league. In that case, it a choice between awarding the league and voiding the league. 

Voiding the league has some president, and could be very funny. Imagine the arguments about 10 in a row, and if that means Celtic run resets at zero. Dundee United not being promoted also very funny. But instinctively this feels wrong. Celtic and Dundee United are effectively being denied what is obviously what they deserve. 

Play offs make no sense to me. This means a complete change in the rules that were there when we started the league. And if we can play playoff, why not finish the league. 

That means awarding teams  Champions. Again Sevco will go mental so... Good. But it needs to be on some kind of fair decision. At the moment, some teams have games in hand. We could either deduct the last game's points (ouch) for teams that played too many games, or award the teams three points each for unplayed games, or their average points per game.  Or rewind the league to the point were everyone has played each other twice.  

In any off these  Award scenarios nothing changes Celtic win, Hearts go down. Controversial, although the hearts going down could be sorted by league reconstruction. 

 

If the league is voided then celtic would stay on 8 and if they won the next title then to any sane person that would be nine, this resetting back to 0 is a nonsense. 

Hearts going down would suit your team tbf.

 

[Insaintee]

15 hours ago, NorthBank said:

If possible aim to play the last 3 games and forget about the split. Same in Championship. Gives teams a chance to change their League position using their current squad and circumstances. I would not like this season just to be written off. Finish it somehow.

Sensible, but that is effectively handing the **** the title.

Celtic 9 point to play for 15 point ahead.

Hearts 9 points to play for 4 points behind.  A big ask.

[Insaintee]

1 minute ago, bennett said:

If the league is voided then celtic would stay on 8 and if they won the next title then to any sane person that would be nine, this resetting back to 0 is a nonsense. 

Hearts going down would suit your team tbf.

 

It is nonsense, but half of Scottish football is nonsense like this ,

[TonyHendrix]

This just in.

SunSport understands SPFL chiefs expect the Prime Minister to intervene this week as the coronavirus crisis grows.
BoJo is likely to order an immediate end to professional leagues across Britain, killing off the current uncertainty.
The SPFL — in line with their English counterparts — would then decide on ratifying final positions in all four divisions as they stand.
Crucially, doing this would enable the SPFL to distribute prize money early to help clubs survive the coming months.

Celtic could be handed their ninth successive title
It’s understood the nuclear option of voiding the season could have severe legal and financial ramifications.
Season-ticket money, sponsorship cash and multi-million pound TV deals for this term would all come under threat.
SPFL board member and Hamilton Accies vice-chairman Les Gray confirmed that position during a TV interview.
He said: “I don’t think the season can ever be made null and void.

“After 30 games, if you make the season null and void — season-ticket holders are entitled to their money back for a start.
“The broadcaster could say the season never happened and want their money back.

“From a financial perspective you can’t make the season void, what you can do is look at what alternatives there are.”
Celtic, Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers could all now be declared title winners for the 2019/20 season.
Hearts, Partick Thistle, Stranraer and Brechin would drop down, though it’s unclear who would be promoted to League Two.
The regular play-offs for places in the Premiership, Championship and League One would likely be scrapped for the season.
To soften the financial blow for all relegated clubs, the SPFL could look at the distribution model and hand out extra cash due to the unique circumstances.
Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell and Aberdeen would also claim the Champions League and Europa League places.
Leaving the current campaign in cold storage is viewed as a complete non-starter, with clubs struggling to stay afloat.
There is an acceptance across Scottish football that this current season is finished. But Johnson’s intervention in a period of national crisis could allow some clubs to trigger protection insurance.
That could soften the financial Armageddon facing Scottish football.
Several clubs, most notably Hearts, are likely to argue for an alternative way forward, while some lower-league figures have floated a plan of NO relegation this season, with every league accepting two promoted teams.
Yet it’s understood top-flight clubs believe the idea of a 14-team Premiership next season is simply unworkable.
SPFL and SFA chiefs are in constant contact — with an emergency meeting set to be held on Monday.
SFA President Ian Maxwell will take part in a Europe-wide Uefa conference call at 9am on Tuesday morning.
Euro 2020 is set to be pushed back a year until next summer as Europe goes into lockdown.
A decision is also expected on this season’s remaining Champions and Europa League ties.

[Ira Gaines]

Resets at zero

[johnnydun]

Here is my solution, I did mention it on the Championship thread before;

No team has won any league yet, however it would be unfair to not give teams what they have earned so far...

Void the league, start next season with the points differences and games in hand that are now, using Hearts as a base of 0 points, so next season starts;

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PT
1	Celtic								57
2	Rangers								44
3	Motherwell								23
4	Aberdeen								22
5	Livingston								16
6	Hibernian								14
7	St Johnstone								13
8	Kilmarnock								10
9	St Mirren								6
10	Ross County								6
11	Hamilton								4
12	Hearts								0

Split the prize money evenly throughout the leagues to cover the shortfall.

Possibly give current players an additional years contract across the board on the same terms.

European places can be taken up by the teams that qualified this season as they may yet be void also.

[bennett]

6 minutes ago, TonyHendrix said:

This just in.

SunSport understands SPFL chiefs expect the Prime Minister to intervene this week as the coronavirus crisis grows.
BoJo is likely to order an immediate end to professional leagues across Britain, killing off the current uncertainty.
The SPFL — in line with their English counterparts — would then decide on ratifying final positions in all four divisions as they stand.
Crucially, doing this would enable the SPFL to distribute prize money early to help clubs survive the coming months.

Celtic could be handed their ninth successive title
It’s understood the nuclear option of voiding the season could have severe legal and financial ramifications.
Season-ticket money, sponsorship cash and multi-million pound TV deals for this term would all come under threat.
SPFL board member and Hamilton Accies vice-chairman Les Gray confirmed that position during a TV interview.
He said: “I don’t think the season can ever be made null and void.

“After 30 games, if you make the season null and void — season-ticket holders are entitled to their money back for a start.
“The broadcaster could say the season never happened and want their money back.

“From a financial perspective you can’t make the season void, what you can do is look at what alternatives there are.”
Celtic, Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers could all now be declared title winners for the 2019/20 season.
Hearts, Partick Thistle, Stranraer and Brechin would drop down, though it’s unclear who would be promoted to League Two.
The regular play-offs for places in the Premiership, Championship and League One would likely be scrapped for the season.
To soften the financial blow for all relegated clubs, the SPFL could look at the distribution model and hand out extra cash due to the unique circumstances.
Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell and Aberdeen would also claim the Champions League and Europa League places.
Leaving the current campaign in cold storage is viewed as a complete non-starter, with clubs struggling to stay afloat.
There is an acceptance across Scottish football that this current season is finished. But Johnson’s intervention in a period of national crisis could allow some clubs to trigger protection insurance.
That could soften the financial Armageddon facing Scottish football.
Several clubs, most notably Hearts, are likely to argue for an alternative way forward, while some lower-league figures have floated a plan of NO relegation this season, with every league accepting two promoted teams.
Yet it’s understood top-flight clubs believe the idea of a 14-team Premiership next season is simply unworkable.
SPFL and SFA chiefs are in constant contact — with an emergency meeting set to be held on Monday.
SFA President Ian Maxwell will take part in a Europe-wide Uefa conference call at 9am on Tuesday morning.
Euro 2020 is set to be pushed back a year until next summer as Europe goes into lockdown.
A decision is also expected on this season’s remaining Champions and Europa League ties.

Have celtic poached Jim Traynor from us?

UEFA are having a meeting on Tuesday,  we'll have some clarity then. I really can't see Boris Johnsons main concern right now being celtic getting a title.

 

[Hendo]

10 minutes ago, TonyHendrix said:

This just in.

SunSport understands SPFL chiefs expect the Prime Minister to intervene this week as the coronavirus crisis grows.
BoJo is likely to order an immediate end to professional leagues across Britain, killing off the current uncertainty.
The SPFL — in line with their English counterparts — would then decide on ratifying final positions in all four divisions as they stand.
Crucially, doing this would enable the SPFL to distribute prize money early to help clubs survive the coming months.

Celtic could be handed their ninth successive title
It’s understood the nuclear option of voiding the season could have severe legal and financial ramifications.
Season-ticket money, sponsorship cash and multi-million pound TV deals for this term would all come under threat.
SPFL board member and Hamilton Accies vice-chairman Les Gray confirmed that position during a TV interview.
He said: “I don’t think the season can ever be made null and void.

“After 30 games, if you make the season null and void — season-ticket holders are entitled to their money back for a start.
“The broadcaster could say the season never happened and want their money back.

“From a financial perspective you can’t make the season void, what you can do is look at what alternatives there are.”
Celtic, Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers could all now be declared title winners for the 2019/20 season.
Hearts, Partick Thistle, Stranraer and Brechin would drop down, though it’s unclear who would be promoted to League Two.
The regular play-offs for places in the Premiership, Championship and League One would likely be scrapped for the season.
To soften the financial blow for all relegated clubs, the SPFL could look at the distribution model and hand out extra cash due to the unique circumstances.
Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell and Aberdeen would also claim the Champions League and Europa League places.
Leaving the current campaign in cold storage is viewed as a complete non-starter, with clubs struggling to stay afloat.
There is an acceptance across Scottish football that this current season is finished. But Johnson’s intervention in a period of national crisis could allow some clubs to trigger protection insurance.
That could soften the financial Armageddon facing Scottish football.
Several clubs, most notably Hearts, are likely to argue for an alternative way forward, while some lower-league figures have floated a plan of NO relegation this season, with every league accepting two promoted teams.
Yet it’s understood top-flight clubs believe the idea of a 14-team Premiership next season is simply unworkable.
SPFL and SFA chiefs are in constant contact — with an emergency meeting set to be held on Monday.
SFA President Ian Maxwell will take part in a Europe-wide Uefa conference call at 9am on Tuesday morning.
Euro 2020 is set to be pushed back a year until next summer as Europe goes into lockdown.
A decision is also expected on this season’s remaining Champions and Europa League ties.

Not quite sure if this is in BoJo's remit, but if it does come to pass, funny about Hearts, shame about Thistle.

[Hedgecutter]

3 minutes ago, johnnydun said:

Here is my solution, I did mention it on the Championship thread before;

No team has won any league yet, however it would be unfair to not give teams what they have earned so far...

Void the league, start next season with the points differences and games in hand that are now, using Hearts as a base of 0 points, so next season starts;

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PT
1	Celtic								57
2	Rangers								44
3	Motherwell								23
4	Aberdeen								22
5	Livingston								16
6	Hibernian								14
7	St Johnstone								13
8	Kilmarnock								10
9	St Mirren								6
10	Ross County								6
11	Hamilton								4
12	Hearts								0

 

Nah. Invert the numbers for a golf-style handicap system and then we've got a cracker of a season ahead. 

[craigkillie]

10 hours ago, TonyHendrix said:

This just in.

SunSport understands SPFL chiefs expect the Prime Minister to intervene this week as the coronavirus crisis grows.
BoJo is likely to order an immediate end to professional leagues across Britain, killing off the current uncertainty.
The SPFL — in line with their English counterparts — would then decide on ratifying final positions in all four divisions as they stand.
Crucially, doing this would enable the SPFL to distribute prize money early to help clubs survive the coming months.

Celtic could be handed their ninth successive title
It’s understood the nuclear option of voiding the season could have severe legal and financial ramifications.
Season-ticket money, sponsorship cash and multi-million pound TV deals for this term would all come under threat.
SPFL board member and Hamilton Accies vice-chairman Les Gray confirmed that position during a TV interview.
He said: “I don’t think the season can ever be made null and void.

“After 30 games, if you make the season null and void — season-ticket holders are entitled to their money back for a start.
“The broadcaster could say the season never happened and want their money back.

“From a financial perspective you can’t make the season void, what you can do is look at what alternatives there are.”
Celtic, Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers could all now be declared title winners for the 2019/20 season.
Hearts, Partick Thistle, Stranraer and Brechin would drop down, though it’s unclear who would be promoted to League Two.
The regular play-offs for places in the Premiership, Championship and League One would likely be scrapped for the season.
To soften the financial blow for all relegated clubs, the SPFL could look at the distribution model and hand out extra cash due to the unique circumstances.
Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell and Aberdeen would also claim the Champions League and Europa League places.
Leaving the current campaign in cold storage is viewed as a complete non-starter, with clubs struggling to stay afloat.
There is an acceptance across Scottish football that this current season is finished. But Johnson’s intervention in a period of national crisis could allow some clubs to trigger protection insurance.
That could soften the financial Armageddon facing Scottish football.
Several clubs, most notably Hearts, are likely to argue for an alternative way forward, while some lower-league figures have floated a plan of NO relegation this season, with every league accepting two promoted teams.
Yet it’s understood top-flight clubs believe the idea of a 14-team Premiership next season is simply unworkable.
SPFL and SFA chiefs are in constant contact — with an emergency meeting set to be held on Monday.
SFA President Ian Maxwell will take part in a Europe-wide Uefa conference call at 9am on Tuesday morning.
Euro 2020 is set to be pushed back a year until next summer as Europe goes into lockdown.
A decision is also expected on this season’s remaining Champions and Europa League ties.

This is full of half baked tripe, I wouldn't put a great deal of stock in it.

a) Boris Johnson is not going to declare league seasons finished. He may ban sporting events until a particular date, but this is not the same thing.

b) Prize money can be distributed early regardless of how they decide to deal with the season. They could issue everyone the minimum amount they could possibly get based on their current position, or even take emergency measures to allocate it differently (as is mooted later in the article anyway).

c) Les Gray is talking shite about the null and void stuff. Fans don't even need to be refunded if a game is abandoned after 46 minutes, and clearly those matches are declared null and void. If a Scottish Cup tie is awarded to a club based on a team fielding an ineligble player, fans don't get a refund. Fans got what they paid for (minus the missing games at the end of the season), which was competitive football matches involving their club. The same argument can be applied to the TV broadcasters - they showed the games, people watched them.

d) "Leaving the current campaign in cold storage is viewed as a complete non-starter, with clubs struggling to stay afloat." This is a non sequitur - it is not clear at all why the second part is related to the first. Clubs will be struggling to stay afloat because there are no games being played - none of these options are going to magically make it possible to play games.

 

Edited March 15, 2020 by craigkillie

[Guest JTS98]

Surely in terms of prize money the sensible approach at the moment is just to accept that these are different times and to evenly split each division's prize money between that division's teams in the interests of the game at large?

Every club is going to hit by an unexpected drop in income and surely it's not unreasonable to just not be p***ks about it and split football's money between the football clubs?

Similarly with people trying to find a 'fair' solution. There isn't one. This is unprecedented and it's impossible to find a solution that is fair. Either someone will be awarded a prize or punishment they haven't actually won or earned, or someone will be denied something they pretty much earned. Looking for fairness is pointless.

I find it quite surprising that people are still talking about European qualification for next season being an issue. Does anybody actually think there will be European competitions as normal next season? I'd be astonished if that were the case.

Firstly, who qualifies? Plenty of leagues obviously aren't going to finish or at least won't finish in time to provide teams for a normal season of European competition.

Secondly, there is a decent chance the virus is seasonal and that may well result in another wave of this just in time for the group stages of European competition, resulting in more travel problems etc.

It's hard to see it happening.

Edited March 15, 2020 by JTS98

[madmitch]

How many people are confident that the Cockwomble will come up with a decent solution?

[Guest JTS98]

4 minutes ago, madmitch said:

How many people are confident that the Cockwomble will come up with a decent solution?

But what is a decent solution?

Do you think anybody at all will come up with one? I don't see one.

[C4mmy31]

4 hours ago, craigkillie said:

This is full of half baked tripe, I wouldn't put a great deal of stock in it.

a) Boris Johnson is not going to declare league seasons finished. He may ban sporting events until a particular date, but this is not the same thing.

b) Prize money can be distributed early regardless of how they decide to deal with the season. They could issue everyone the minimum amount they could possibly get based on their current position, or even take emergency measures to allocate it differently (as is mooted later in the article anyway).

c) Les Gray is talking shite about the null and void stuff. Fans don't even need to be refunded if a game is abandoned after 46 minutes, and clearly those matches are declared null and void. If a Scottish Cup tie is awarded to a club based on a team fielding an ineligble players, fans don't get a refund. Fans got what they paid for (minus the missing games at the end of the season), which was competitive football matches involving their club. The same argument can be applied to the TV broadcasters - they showed the games, people watched them.

d) "Leaving the current campaign in cold storage is viewed as a complete non-starter, with clubs struggling to stay afloat." This is a non sequitur - it is not clear at all why the second part is related to the first. Clubs will be struggling to stay afloat because there are no games being played - none of these options are going to magically make it possible to play games.

 

The TV company's would open a whole can of worms if, to quote Les Gray, "the season never happened"

eg, SKY & BT sport customers would be queuing up to demand refunds as would their sponsors/advertisers.

Not to mention the intellectual rights to all footage reverting back to the SPFL & individual clubs.

Edited March 15, 2020 by C4mmy31

[Merkie84]

5 hours ago, JTS98 said:

Surely in terms of prize money the sensible approach at the moment is just to accept that these are different times and to evenly split each division's prize money between that division's teams in the interests of the game at large?

Every club is going to hit by an unexpected drop in income and surely it's not unreasonable to just not be p***ks about it and split football's money between the football clubs?

Similarly with people trying to find a 'fair' solution. There isn't one. This is unprecedented and it's impossible to find a solution that is fair. Either someone will be awarded a prize or punishment they haven't actually won or earned, or someone will be denied something they pretty much earned. Looking for fairness is pointless.

I find it quite surprising that people are still talking about European qualification for next season being an issue. Does anybody actually think there will be European competitions as normal next season? I'd be astonished if that were the case.

Firstly, who qualifies? Plenty of leagues obviously aren't going to finish or at least won't finish in time to provide teams for a normal season of European competition.

Secondly, there is a decent chance the virus is seasonal and that may well result in another wave of this just in time for the group stages of European competition, resulting in more travel problems etc.

It's hard to see it happening.

EUFA just to bin all the teams from all the annoying diddy leagues and just have the much coveted Euro super league with teams from the big 4 and PSG.

In the interest of crowd safety and the greater good of the game of course.

[kingjoey]

5 hours ago, madmitch said:

How many people are confident that the Cockwomble will come up with a decent solution?

There will, eventually, be a solution, but what some will view as a decent solution, others won’t.

[Lobby Dossar]

6 hours ago, madmitch said:

How many people are confident that the Cockwomble will come up with a decent solution?

Think UEFA is going to have to come up with solution right across the board

that way no petty arguments ……… this is to serious 

[NorthBank]

Sensible, but that is effectively handing the **** the title.
Celtic 9 point to play for 15 point ahead.
Hearts 9 points to play for 4 points behind.  A big ask.

Celtic are Hearts are where they are on merit. Celtic will win the League anyway and Hearts get a chance to save themselves. Better than voiding the season after the majority of games have been played.

[bennett]

6 hours ago, madmitch said:

How many people are confident that the Cockwomble will come up with a decent solution?

He won't, it will be the spfl and sfa boards who'll try to find a solution, though uefa may take it out of their hands.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Wait a few weeks to see if things improve 

If not, finish the league campaign behind closed doors, two games per week

Home teams open their TV subscription services, pay per view, to all to generate income and ensure fans can see the games

Finish the Scottish Cup next season