Celtic named Scottish football champions as the 2019-20 season curtailed
Celtic's Scott Brown and Mikael Lustig celebrate with the 2018-19 trophy after winning the Scottish Premiership. Photo: AAP
Glasgow Celtic has been named champion of Scotland after the clubs voted on Monday to end the season early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Top-flight soccer in Scotland was stopped in March due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
“We would all have rather seen the league season played out on pitches, in stadiums and in front of supporters,” Scottish Professional Football League chairman Murdoch MacLennan said.
“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 Premiership now and we thank the Premiership clubs for their support on this decision.”
🍀⚪ Our 9, is your 9. We dedicate this league title to you 💚
Celtic Football Club – #9INAROW CHAMPIONS! 🏆9️⃣#StayHomeStaySafe
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 18, 2020
Edinburgh-based Heart of Midlothian was relegated.
The league statement added that final season placings were decided on a points-per-game basis in matches played to March 13.
A similar system was used to determine final positions in Scotland’s three lowest footballing tiers, which voted to end their seasons early in April.
However, the door had been left open for a resumption of the Premiership if and when possible.
Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers were declared winners of the Championship, League One and League Two.
Ladbrokes Premiership and SPFL Season 2019/20 curtailed as Premiership clubs reach unanimous agreement that top flight cannot be finished.
Full details: https://t.co/RHpIjr8b0V pic.twitter.com/YKI6JWyeIM
— SPFL (@spfl) May 18, 2020
Top-flight Rangers, who finished runners-up, had sought an independent investigation into the SPFL’s handling of the season in the wake of the pandemic but clubs last week did not support their request.
The resolution, also backed by Hearts and Stranraer, was put forward after misgivings about how the vote on the SPFL’s plan to end the lower leagues early had been carried out.
-AAP
