MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 01:37:15| >> :600:282422:282422:

Coronavirus latest: Celtic chief calls for "fair" conclusion to 2019-20 season

The Scottish Professional Football League was suspended last Friday "until further notice".

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has told the Scottish football authorities that he is looking for "a fair and reasonable solution" to the league campaign.

The Scottish Professional Football League was suspended last Friday "until further notice" due to the coronavirus crisis and a hiatus lasting several months looks increasingly likely.

Celtic are 13 points clear of Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership having played a game more and boss Neil Lennon insisted that the Hoops should be declared champions if the campaign is not completed while Stewart Robertson, the Ibrox club's managing director, wants all 38 games played.

On the same day that the Premier League and the English Football League was postponed further until April 30, albeit the season extended indefinitely, Lawwell said: "With regard to the present domestic Premiership League situation, our strong preference is, of course, to complete all remaining matches.

"To date, we have had a magnificent campaign, undefeated in this calendar year, completing 30 league matches already to create a commanding lead and we are now on the cusp of winning our ninth successive title.

"As many have already said, the season cannot be voided as the consequences of that are so severe.

"In the event that the matches cannot be completed, then the responsibility to find a fair and reasonable solution for the finalisation of all domestic leagues will be with the Scottish football governing bodies.

"We hope that the governing bodies are able to provide some clarity to clubs and supporters as soon as possible on the way forward, although we appreciate that this is a hugely demanding time."

Lawwell's demand came in a statement addressing the ramifications of the coronavirus crisis, where he announced that Celtic were "putting resources in place with the aim of helping the most vulnerable in our society".

"I know you will be very aware of the continuing developments in respect of the COVID-19 crisis," said Lawwell.

Clearly for some time now, the club has been monitoring the situation closely and, of course, its potential impact on our supporters, our colleagues and our organisation. We continue to do this, and through daily executive management briefings we are doing all we can to play our part in tackling the spread of this virus.

"This is a worrying time for us all. In such a difficult situation for everyone concerned, above all, the health and well-being of people is of paramount importance.

"I would like to thank all our staff for their ongoing commitment and professionalism in very challenging circumstances, and I thank our fans for their understanding and tremendous ongoing support and engagement.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell addresses fans during coronavirus crisis
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell addresses fans during coronavirus crisis (Ronnie Esplin/PA)

"We all continue to navigate our way through these unprecedented times with continued teamwork and support for each other. We urge all our colleagues and supporters to do all they can to stay safe at this time.

"During such a difficult period, we also extend our thoughts to all other football clubs who are affected by these events and facing such uncertainty.

"We realise the hugely damaging effect these circumstances will have on clubs of all sizes across Scotland, Europe and beyond.

"The health of everyone in football and society is always the priority, but we hope clubs find a way through these testing times and ensure that the game we all love can thrive again as soon as possible."

ID:393457: cacheID:393457:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7063:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic manager Neil Lennon reacts on February 27, 2020
Read Next:
Coronavirus latest: Scottish top-flight club want season voided
>
Read more about Peter Lawwell Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
10am
Cachin
Ofner
10am
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
10am
Gasquet
Sonego
10am
Hanfmann
Mensik
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
10am
Lajovic
Monteiro
10am
Machac
Ruusuvuori
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
10am
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
10am
O'Connell
Arnaldi
10am
Purcell
Giron
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
10am
Tabilo
Cobolli
10am
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
10am
Azarenka
Maria
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
10am
Gauff
Rus
10am
Keys
Camelia-Begu
10am
Podoroska
Navarro
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Altmaier
Fils
10am
Darderi
Fritz
10am
Griekspoor
Daniel
10am
Munar
Struff
10am
Musetti
Seyboth Wild
10am
Navone
Rune
10am
Shevchenko
Alcaraz
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
10am
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
10am
Vekic
Sakkari
11.30am
Arango
Yastremska
11.30am
Osaka
Samsonova
11.30am
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
1pm
Haddad Maia
Errani
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!