SPFL advance £1.8m payments to clubs which they were due at the end of the original season
- SPFL has advanced lower league clubs payments they were due of £1.8million
- Clubs voted to end the second, third and fourth tiers due to coronavirus
- SPFL chief executive said impact on Scottish football has been ‘devastating’
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
The Scottish Professional Football League has advanced lower-league clubs the £1.8million they were due at the end of the original season.
Clubs voted to end the Championship, League One and League Two on Wednesday because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The SPFL has now moved to release end-of-season payments to clubs in the lower three divisions which will reach them on Friday.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster announced that the organisation has advanced lower-league clubs the £1.8million they were due at the end of the original season
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: ‘Following confirmation on Wednesday night that the directors’ written resolution had passed with more than 80 per cent support from clubs, SPFL staff have been working hard to ensure that these vital end-of-season payments are made available to clubs across the three divisions as soon as possible.
‘The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Scottish football has been devastating, with no club left untouched or undamaged by the restrictions placed on our everyday life.
This week clubs voted to end the Championship, League One and League Two seasons
‘This unprecedented situation has left clubs facing the stark reality of an extremely challenging financial landscape that could have seen a number of our clubs simply cease to exist. These funds will help bridge the gap and support clubs through this incredibly difficult period.’
The SPFL has announced its Reconstruction Group will have their first meeting on Monday afternoon.
Hamilton chairman Les Gray and Hearts counterpart Ann Budge are joint chairs of the 15-member group, which includes Dundee managing director John Nelms.
Representatives of the Highland League and Lowland League are part of the committee that includes figures across the Premiership, Championship, League One and League Two.
Gray said: ‘I am delighted that so many clubs have come forward to support the league restructuring process. I am looking forward to a positive debate.’
Budge added: ‘The importance of league restructuring is understood by all. It is vital that we all work together to find solutions for the benefit of the game as a whole.’