Opinion: SPFL should scrap 2019-20 but carry points forward to next season

The debate gripping Scottish football at the moment – what to do with the halted league season – is showing little sign of abating.
Raith Rovers and Falkirk are separated by just a point at the top of the League One tableRaith Rovers and Falkirk are separated by just a point at the top of the League One table
Raith Rovers and Falkirk are separated by just a point at the top of the League One table

Suggested solutions have been many and varied with the crux of the problem, of course, the consequence of declaring the season null and void and starting from scratch next season, coronavirus permitting.

Understandably, clubs who’ve spent the campaign manoeuvring themselves into a position to achieve success in terms of winning titles or gaining promotion would see all those efforts come to nothing.

So here’s an answer. Don’t. Start from scratch, that is.

Raith Rovers and Falkirk are separated by just a point at the top of the League One table (pic: Michael Gillen)Raith Rovers and Falkirk are separated by just a point at the top of the League One table (pic: Michael Gillen)
Raith Rovers and Falkirk are separated by just a point at the top of the League One table (pic: Michael Gillen)
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If circumstances have eased, kick off the new season as scheduled, or as close to the starting date as possible.

But allow clubs to carry forward the points they have accumulated this season.

That, clubs in title contention when 2019-20 stopped would still retain an advantage over their rivals.

And those battling to beat relegation would still have the chance to claw back their deficits – and if they do end up still going down, their fate would at least still be decided on the pitch, rather than off it.

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It’s not a perfect solution. I don’t pretend it is. But at least everyone would be in the same boat.

There would still be the issue of European qualification, with probably no option other than to determine that by current standings, assuming UEFA don’t proceed with its illogical position to withhold qualification if leagues can’t be completed. In some countries they simply won’t be – but maybe in the corridors of Euro power, it’s only the ‘Big Five’ that matter.

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