UEFA will make 'maximum efforts' to complete the SPFL and European competitions by the end of June.
Domestic competition has taken precedent over international tournaments including Euro 2020 which has been pushed back to 2021.Â
That would see the end of the Scottish Premiership and any winner crowned on merit. It comes after there had been fears Celtic could be handed the title 'prematurely', and also amid other speculation that the season could be declared null and void.
UEFA today announced the postponement of UEFA EURO 2020.
â UEFA (@UEFA) March 17, 2020
A working group has been set up with the participation of leagues and club representatives to examine calendar solutions that would allow for the completion of the current season...
Full statement: đ
Announcing the decisions, Aleksander Äeferin said: âWe are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent. It is at times like these, that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism.
âThe health of fans, staff and players has to be our number one priority and in that spirit, UEFA tabled a range of options so that competitions can finish this season safely and I am proud of the response of my colleagues across European football. There was a real spirit of co-operation, with everyone recognising that they had to sacrifice something in order to achieve the best result.
âIt was important that, as the governing body of European football, UEFA led the process and made the biggest sacrifice. Moving EURO 2020 comes at a huge cost for UEFA but we will do our best to ensure that the vital funding for grassroots, womenâs football and the development of the game in our 55 countries is not affected. Purpose over profit has been our guiding principle in taking this decision for the good of European football as a whole.
âFootball is an uplifting and powerful force in society. The thought of celebrating a pan-European festival of football in empty stadia, with deserted fan zones while the continent sits at home in isolation, is a joyless one and one we could not accept to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the competition.
âI would like to thank the European Club Association, the European Leagues and FIFPro Europe for their great work today and for their cooperation. I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart the 55 national associations, their Presidents and General Secretaries, and my colleagues from the Executive Committee for their support and wise decisions. The fine detail will be worked out in the coming weeks but the basic principles have been agreed and that is a major step forward. We have all shown that we are responsible leaders. We have demonstrated solidarity and unity. Purpose over profit. Weâve achieved this today.
âI would also like to thank Alejandro Dominguez and CONMEBOL, who have agreed to move CONMEBOLâs 2020 Copa America in order to follow the recommendations issued by the international public health organisations to enact extreme measures and as a result of EURO 2020 being postponed. This means that clubs and leagues in Europe will have as little disruption as possible in the availability of their players. These joint efforts and especially this coordinated and responsible decision, are deeply appreciated by the whole European football community.
âI would like to thank FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, who has indicated it will do whatever is required to make this new calendar work. In the face of this crisis, football has shown its best side with openness, solidarity and tolerance.â
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