SPFL defend Covid postponement policy

The SPFL has defended it policy on Covid-19 call offs after controversy in the last week.

Both St Mirren and Dundee had requests to postpone their games against Celtic and Aberdeen respectively turned down.

That was after both clubs experienced Covid cases, and subsequent forced isolation for close contacts.

Dundee were forced to line-up at Pittodrie against Aberdeen that had just four players on it. Two were goalkeepers, another a 17-year-old and also 40-year-old Assistant Manager Dave McKay. They didn't make any substitutions in the game.

Dundee manager James McPake felt the SPFL put both sides at risk by rejecting the request for a call-off.

But now the SPFL company secretary and director of operations Calum Beattie has hit back, saying:

“The new SPFL Board policy for postponing games due to Covid-19 cases was introduced at the start of the season specifically to deal with the circumstances we find ourselves in.

“Before finalising the new policy, we consulted with and listened to clubs carefully and incorporated specific elements such as the requirement to have a minimum of ten players aged 18 or over before matches could proceed."

He continued:

"“While we have enormous sympathies for any club which is unable to field its strongest team as a result of Covid-19, those calling for the policy to be changed midway through the season may not have considered the wider implications.

“Failure to administer the policy consistently could lead to clubs choosing not to fulfill specific fixtures, which would have massive implications for sporting fairness, increase pressure on other clubs and threaten the ability to complete the season.

“It is an essential cornerstone of the game that scheduled fixtures must be played when teams fulfill the necessary criteria.

“Failure to do so would undermine the integrity of the league, threaten completion of the season and would certainly cause far more problems than it would solve."

Following yesterdays fixture at Pittodrie James McPake told us:

""I felt that it's a bad decision, and I hope there's no backlash in terms of players going back to their families.

"I felt for Jim Goodwin through the week, and Dundee United had to go to Ibrox with a much different side from normal.

"It wasn't about the game today. It's a complete and utter lack of care for the individuals who have to go home to their families. For me it's lacking class.

"You see the way the English FA do it, and maybe the SPFL should take note."

Beattie rounded up his statement by saying these issues are a "necessity" of playing through a pandemic.

He said:

"“Scottish football continues to operate in an extremely challenging and uncertain environment. This will undoubtedly mean that there are clubs most weeks who are struggling to fulfill fixtures.

“Already this season, we have seen many clubs complete fixtures with large numbers of players unavailable and we are grateful for the understanding and flexibility of those clubs, players and fans as they adapt to the challenges of Covid.

“If we are to complete the season as scheduled, clubs playing when their playing resources are stretched is, very regrettably, going to be a necessity.

“The health and safety of all involved is always a key consideration and the SPFL, when reviewing postponement requests, liaises closely with the Scottish FA, Joint Response Group (JRG) and Elite Sport Clinical Advisory Group (ESCAG) regarding any situations with multiple cases of Covid-19.”

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