Celtic champions and Hearts relegated as SPFL call end to season
Last updated 18th May 2020
Celtic have been crowned Ladbrokes Premiership champions for a ninth successive time while Hearts have been relegated after the top-flight clubs reached a unanimous decision that the season could not be concluded.
The Scottish Professional Football League announced the widely-anticipated decision following a meeting with all clubs on Monday, with the campaign determined on a points per game average.
SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan said in a statement: "Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to officially congratulate Celtic on their achievement of winning the Ladbrokes Premiership this season, and also to sincerely commiserate with Hearts on their relegation.''
The season was halted on March 13 because of coronavirus, with Celtic 13 points clear of Glasgow rivals Rangers, albeit having played a game more.
Hearts, meanwhile, went into the hiatus four points adrift of second bottom Hamilton.
MacLennan continued: "We would all have rather seen the league season played out on pitches, in stadiums and in front of supporters.
"This is not the way anybody involved with Scottish football would have wanted to conclude the league season but, given the grave and unprecedented circumstances that we are facing, the board has agreed that it is the only practical way forward.
"Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on sporting competitions around the world and the repercussions will be felt for a long time.
"Scottish Government restrictions and deep concerns for both player and spectator safety left the SPFL with no realistic option but to call the Ladbrokes Premiership now and we thank the Premiership clubs for their support on this decision.''
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "On Friday, Ladbrokes Premiership clubs expressed their clear and unanimous view that there was no realistic prospect of completing the outstanding fixtures from Season 2019-20.
"The SPFL Board met this morning and in line with the express agreement of member clubs in April, the board determined that League Season 2019-20 and the Ladbrokes Premiership be brought to an end.
"This decision now enables us to pay out around ÂŁ7million in fees to help clubs stay afloat during this incredibly difficult time. We will begin processing these payments immediately.
"The focus of all those involved in the game will now turn to how we get football up and running again safely as soon as possible.
"Nobody should be under any illusion as to how complicated and difficult a challenge it will be to return Scottish football to normality.
"We will be liaising with Government on the best way forward and working to ensure that all of our 42 clubs are playing football again as soon as humanly possible.''
Celtic boss Neil Lennon thanked the fans and told the club's official website: "Together we have shown that we are a powerful force and once again the best team in the country.
"It has also been an honour to work with such a special group of players, a squad crammed with talent, spirit, strength and resilience.
"I love these players - players who do their talking on the pitch and pride themselves in their professionalism. Led by a captain of the highest quality, these players are relentless in achieving their objectives - and they do it all for you, our great supporters.
"As manager of this great club it has been an honour to deliver your ninth successive title win. I could not have done this without John Kennedy and Damien Duff and thank both of them for their support."
A statement from Hearts suggested they could now take legal action, with the club saying it has not given up on a restructuring of the league.
A club statement read: "Following today's decision to end the 2019/20 Premiership season and expel Heart of Midlothian Football Club from the top flight, the club would like to provide a brief update to both its fans and the wider Scottish football audience.
"We have stated from the outset that we don't believe it is right that any club should be unfairly penalised because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was previously indicated that league reconstruction would not generate enough support to pass a vote between member clubs. In recent days a number of positive talks have been held with both the SPFL and member clubs and this topic is currently being revisited.
"Hearts will shortly submit a member's resolution that we believe is a pragmatic solution to the issues the game currently faces and a way forward that the clubs can unite behind. It is our belief that this resolution, if supported, will provide an opportunity to avoid disproportionately disadvantaging - financially and otherwise - any club.
"This is possibly the final chance for our game to stand together, protect each other and not only survive but flourish in the aftermath of this terrible pandemic. Players from across all leagues have shown a desire for reconstruction and having already received support from some clubs we are hopeful that this resolution can positively progress Scottish football.
"As previously intimated the club has been taking legal advice throughout this process and are continuing to do so. We hope that the resolution being prepared will avoid the need to go down this route. Legal action would be both time consuming and expensive. However the cost to the club of relegation would outweigh these considerations.''
More to follow...