Dundee United’s Championship title pursuit has received a boost in the wake of Uefa’s latest domestic league intervention.
In a letter to associations, Uefa warned that declaring the 2019/20 campaign null and void because of the coronavirus shutdown would put participation in European competition at risk.
Reports claim that option will not be considered when another conference call summit, involving the SPFL and all 42 clubs, takes place on Monday and Tuesday.
But European football chiefs also appeared to take a dim view of the decision taken by the Belgian Pro League to opt for an ‘as-it-stands’ finish to the season by declaring Club Bruges their champions.
Instead, they encouraged domestic bosses to focus on finishing this term in the summer months, opening the door to the possibility of closed-door matches.
Robbie Neilson’s Tangerines are 14 points clear of second-placed Inverness Caley Thistle, who have a game in hand, with eight games to play.
Uefa – in correspondence supported by the European Club Association and the European Leagues – said: “We are confident that football can restart in the months to come — with conditions that will be dictated by public authorities – and believe that any decision of abandoning domestic competitions is, at this stage, premature and not justified.
“Their work is now focusing on scenarios encompassing the months of July and August, including the possibility that the UEFA competitions restart after the completion of domestic leagues.
“A joint management of calendars is strictly required as the conclusion of the current season must be coordinated with the start of the new one, which may be partly impacted because of the overstretch.
“Closely following the development of the current situation, the calendar working group will indicate as soon as possible, and ideally by mid-May, which of the plans can be enacted for the completion of the season without leaving anyone behind.
“Since participation in UEFA club competitions is determined by the sporting result achieved at the end of a full domestic competition, a premature termination would cast doubts about the fulfilment of such condition.”
St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick yesterday claimed the 2019/20 season was over and that Dundee United should be part of a 16-team Premiership next season
The Buddies legend urged the SPFL and SFA to make a decision on the conclusion to a campaign left in turmoil by the Covid-19 crisis.
He said: “This season is done. People don’t like it, but it’s done, so why not make the decision?
“I can understand how difficult it must be for the SPFL and the SFA, so I’m not criticising anybody, but I really think we need some clarity now.”
