If some clubs have their way, the SPFL Premiership games scheduled between Boxing Day and 3rd January, won’t be played at all.
There is a growing clamour for the Winter break to be brought forward, in theory to allow a quicker return of the game to be played in front of fans. Conveniently for Celtic, this would mean more of their injured players would be available for the pending Old Firm clash, whilst the Ibrox Nigerian contingent – Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey – would potentially be away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.
With the announcement of the effect on top flight football today with crowds limited to a tiny 500, somehow the games scheduled for Wednesday evening are still set to go ahead.
Where is the logic?
As reported this afternoon by Sun Sport:
“Livingston boss David Martindale has already called on the shutdown to be brought forward.”
“And it’s understood there is growing support among Premiership rivals for the planned break to instead start when the restrictions kick in.”
“Clubs are set to lose thousands in gate money and would also face potential refund claims from locked-out season-ticket holders.”
“The board would make the final call should a formal motion be put forward – but Sky Sports are set to have a major say in any decision.”
Decision
For any change to the current arrangements, including the latest restrictions imposed by the ScotGov, there would need to be consensus from the SPFL board, on which Rangers chief executive Stewart Robertson is a current delegate. THere is no way that the Gers will effectively weaken their squad for the Old Firm clash so it would be expected that he and the club would push back on any plans to move the scheduled break.
There are no winners in this situation imposed by the government, but there may yet be further fallout.
As already mentioned, broadcast partners Sky Sports will have a pivotal, if not decisive say on any fresh proposals. As things stand, they are due to screen four Premiership games over the festive period, including the major Old Firm fixture in terms of viewing figures:
St Johnstone v Celtic (26/12), Aberdeen v Rangers (29/12), Celtic v Rangers (2/1) and Hibs v Hearts (3/1).