CORONAVIRUS – JOINT RESPONSE GROUP UPDATE 17 March 2020

The Joint Response Group continues to meet daily. Earlier today, a UEFA videoconference call involving all 55 National Associations - including the Scottish FA’s President, Rod Petrie, and Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell - took place, where it was confirmed by UEFA that EURO 2020 will be postponed until next year, from 11 June to 11 July 2021.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “As well as the agreement to postpone EURO 2020 until next year, we also received indications that our UEFA Nations League Play-Off semi-final against Israel at Hampden Park, due to be played on 26 March, is now scheduled to take place in early June, with no date as yet confirmed. While we await more specific information from UEFA in relation to the fixture, there is a limit to how we prepare for a June match in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the most recent government and UK Chief Medical Officers advice. I would like to reassure all Scotland fans who have purchased either tickets or hospitality packages for the match against Israel that those tickets will still be valid for the rescheduled fixture, when the date is confirmed. If supporters are unable to attend the rescheduled fixture then the face value of their tickets and packages will be refunded. Further information on tickets will be communicated to existing buyers in early course.

“At this juncture it is also important to confirm that the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final ties between Hearts and Hibernian, and Celtic and Aberdeen, will not be played on the original dates – 11 and 12 April – nor will the final be played on 9 May. Given the fast-moving nature of this unprecedented situation, and the imperative to safeguard public health, we will consider future dates for the cup ties when the situation becomes clearer. We are, however, committed to completing the competition at the appropriate time, in front of spectators, and will base any decision on government and UK Medical Officers advice, and the readiness of the participants to complete the ties. We also await further information from the UEFA Working Group on the next steps for all other club and international fixtures which have been suspended until further notice, including Scotland Women’s National Team and national youth teams.”