Coronavirus: Fife teams games wiped out as all Scottish football is suspended

Raith Rovers, Dunfermline, East Fife and Cowdenbeath will not play any more matches for the foreseeable future, with no date set for the suspension to end in Scotland, though in England and end date of April 3 has been tentatively agreed.

A joint statement from The Scottish FA and SPFL confirmed the suspension would begin with immediate effect, meaning tonight’s Premiership match between Motherwell and Aberdeen and the Championship match between Queen of the South and Ayr United are both off.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: said: “Since the guidance outlined by governments last night we have been engaged in extensive dialogue to clarify the position and implications of that guidance for Scottish football.

“Today’s announcement is made in the interests of public health but, equally, the health and safety of players, match officials, and staff across the game. This is of paramount importance as the country enters the ‘delay’ phase of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is also why the Scottish FA is compelled to ensure that the suspension is cascaded through the non-professional and grassroots games until further notice.”

Raith Rovers boss John McGlynn said the club would take their guidance from the footballing authorities.

“We will just have to go with what they say,” he said.

“We just get ourselves ready for games. We were all set to go up to Peterhead this weekend. I’ve just been cancelling the bus and the hotel because we were going up overnight so it has an impact on everyone, but obviously the players, the fans and the general public are the most important people in this.

“These are unprecedented circumstances and we’re all having to deal with it. Well juts have to go with the flow but health is the most important thing of all.

“We’ll juts have to see if there are any more announcements over the weekend and take it from there.”

Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, added: “As everyone knows, this is a fast-moving and unprecedented situation for the entire country.

“We have been in intensive and detailed discussions since last night and have also been taking on board the experience of our counterparts in England and across Europe. As a result, the board of the SPFL has agreed this morning that all league fixtures this weekend and next midweek will be postponed until further notice.

“The health and safety of fans, players and officials is absolutely paramount. We have not yet had any confirmed cases of Coronavirus amongst players in Scotland, but, given the nature of this outbreak, it seems only a matter of time.

“We realise that many people will be bitterly disappointed, and we would obviously prefer to be in a position where we can continue as normal, but that’s neither realistic nor possible.”