The SFA and SPFL have taken their first steps towards the return of Scottish football by creating sub-groups of professionals from around the country to deal with a wide range of issues including player contracts, welfare and broadcasting rights.

The Joint Response Group made it clear in a statement that they would now be looking in to how best to prepare for the game's return in line with advice from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Chief Medical Officer.

A number of issues will be considered and chaired by SFA chiefs. Representatives from most Scottish clubs will all be involved including medical personnel in Celtic's Tim Williamson and Mark Waller of Rangers, Hibs chief executive Leann Dempster, Partick Thistle's Gerry Britton and Fraser Wishart of the PFA.

Medical and player welfare will take into account emerging from lockdown and when players might be safe to return to training as well as any testing that may be necessary. Potentially playing matches behind closed doors will also be discussed by those involved.

Club and stadium operations including pitch maintenance, supporter interaction and policing will be looked at as well as fan access to stadiums. In terms of broadcasting and TV rights, marketing divisions from various clubs will consider the logistics.

Regulation will be pored over by club legal teams in terms of player contracts, FIFA regulation periods and "possible modified competition formats for season 2020/21". Grassroots issues will also be considered.

Rod Petrie, Scottish FA President and Chair of the Joint Response Group: “I am pleased by the response among members to assist the Joint Response Group in planning for the safe and expedient return of Scottish football when it is deemed safe to do so by the government and medical experts. 

“The First Minister published a framework to assist in the country’s recovery from COVID-19, including preparing for the transition from lockdown or any easing thereof and adjusting to a ‘new normal’.

“We will continue to adhere to the government advice but equally we have an obligation to undertake the necessary preparatory work to ensure the national game is ready to return at the appropriate time.

“We are also mindful of the crucial role football can play as the national sport during the recovery period and have noted the proposed return of the Premier League in England by the Department of Culture Media and Sport in England ‘to raise the spirit of the nation’.

“We look forward to the opportunity to discuss football’s timeframe in Scotland in early course as part of the Scottish Government’s virtual roundtable for sporting bodies announced today.”

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