Ross County to be allowed to start training in two weeks time after Scottish Football Association set to lift suspension
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Ross County will be able to return to training in two weeks time after the Scottish Football Association announced it will lift its suspension for top flight clubs.
Premiership teams will be allowed to start training again on Thursday, June 11 with the new season planned to start on Saturday, August 1.
However the new season will start behind closed doors and only if Scotland is in phase two of lockdown.
The date on June 11 is aimed to enable teams to begin preparations to ensure their training grounds and stadia are equipped to deal with the increased safety measures necessary to create biosecure environments for players and staff.
This includes the ability to undertake the necessary testing procedures and observing stringent training and matchday protocols.
It will also aims to provide sufficient period for clubs to begin a phased return to pre-season training in line with the government’s phasing programme, beginning with individual sessions and evolving into smaller groups at the appropriate time before entering into full squad training and preparation prior to the scheduled start date.
SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said the third stage of a return to professional football, the ability for fans to return to grounds, will not happen immediately due to the government’s social distancing and mass gathering measures to counteract the spread of Coronavirus.
He said they will continue to plan for the gradual reintroduction of fans as soon as it is deemed safe to do so by the medical experts.
“We now have a firm target of starting the 2020/21 Premiership season on the weekend of August 1 and that’s a major step forward," he said.
"We will continue working with the Championship, League 1 and League 2 to gauge their ability to start the season and if so, when - which may vary hugely between clubs.
“We clearly welcome the prospect of resuming matches, but we have to take all necessary steps to ensure we can have a sustainable league campaign.
"That means a safety-first approach, with games initially played behind closed doors and a range of measures to protect players and staff.
“The return of crowds is something we all want to see and we will be working with clubs, Government and medical professionals to return safely to playing in front of fans as soon as we can.”
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