The 2019-20 campaign was originally suspended until April 30 because of the Covid-19 outbreak, but that date has now been pushed back by more than a month.
The Scottish FA has announced the suspension of the present season was extended through to June, as the amount of new coronavirus cases continues to rise across Europe.
The struggle to contain the spread of Covid-19 has dominated headlines throughout the globe since February, with the majority of countries being put under quarantine while following strict social distancing measures.
The ongoing crisis has wreaked havoc upon the sporting calendar and all major football leagues around Europe are now on hiatus until the safety of staff and players can be ensured.
The Scottish soccer season was postponed indefinitely on March 13, prior to a tentative date of April 30 was set for action to restart a week later.
League officials have decided to push back all fixtures much further, issuing an official announcement to clubs around Scotland on Thursday.
“The Scottish FA board met via video conference this morning to discuss the consequences of their very up-to-date government and medical information on the governing body’s suspension on soccer,” the memo about the SFA’s official website reads. “According to this advice, it’s agreed to extend the suspension at all levels of the game from professional to recreational until at least 10 June.”
Scottish FA President Rod Petrie said of the judgment: “The message is quite clear: the government limitations introduced to save lives must be adhered to and there isn’t any possibility of an early resumption of training let alone organised football in Scotland for many weeks.
“The decision to suspend all football until at least 10 June will be to assist clubs to ensure the security and wellbeing of players, staff and fans in addition to take action to mitigate their costs.
Even if it’s deemed safe for the season to restart in two months’ time, it’s been suggested that all players will be asked to undergo a six-week training programme so as to return to full fitness.
If that’s the situation, the 2019-20 campaign wouldn’t kick off again until July 22, and there’s also still the possibility of all fittings being cancelled entirely should the Covid-19 crisis worsen in the coming weeks.
