Someone needs to step up and make league decision, says East Fife boss

Anticipation that a scheduled announcement by the Scottish FA on Monday afternoon would offer a pathway back for, at the very least, League One and League Two sides, was doused when no clarity was given at all for a resumption of the game below Championship level.

The only detail of any substance in the update was confirmation that a series of discussions had taken place via-video conference with all leagues affected by the suspension to establish the measures and protocols under which each might resume their competitions.

This information has been shared with the Scottish Government and, while it has been positively received, the SFA says it now awaits a final decision from ministers.

East Fife manager Darren Young says it’s now time that someone, somewhere, made a decision either way.

"It does kind of look like a 'pass the buck' statement,” he said. "But, whether or not it is pass the buck or they (the SFA) are saying 'we need the green light from them (Scottish Government)’ - it needs somebody who is being getting paid these hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to say 'yes, it is going to go ahead' or 'no, it is not going to go ahead' or 'we have to wait for a decision from x, y or z’.

"So it's not really that hard.

"I just think everything is cryptic, everything is very closed.”

Rod Petrie, SFA president, said the organisation was grateful to all clubs affected by the temporary suspension for their “patience and understanding”.

"They have played their part in keeping the nation safe and restricting the potential spread of the virus,” said Mr Petrie

“I would also like to thank the representatives from those leagues and clubs, who have been proactive and collaborative in giving their input into safe and sustainable plans for a to return to competition.

"These plans have already been discussed with government officials.

"We look forward to hearing when and in what circumstances those leagues which have been suspended can return to training and, ultimately, to playing.”

Additional reporting by Ralph Mellon.