Coronavirus: Rangers boss Steven Gerrard does't want premature season end
Scotland's clubs warned not to expect extra cash handouts from SPFL if they are forced to play games behind closed doors due to coronavirus
Wednesday 11 March 2020 18:16, UK
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard believes the Scottish Premiership season should be played to a finish - even if it means staging games behind closed doors because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster claimed last week the coronavirus crisis "could make completing the SPFL season very difficult".
That has raised fears among some Rangers fans that Celtic could be handed their ninth straight domestic crown without completing their fixtures.
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But Gerrard said: "I think it would be a real big shame for everyone around Europe and the world if the league campaigns and cup competitions can't finish, because people have earned the opportunity to get to the stage where everyone is at.
"So I don't want to see anything finish right now. If we are told the only way to get stuff finished off (is to play behind closed doors) and we are told to do that we will follow."
Rangers host Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 on Thursday, with the return leg in Germany taking place behind closed doors due to concerns about coronavirus.
"I'm not delighted about it, that's for sure," Gerrard said. "Football is all about atmospheres and supporters and people getting the opportunity to go follow their team, especially when you're at this stage of a competition.
"I know how excited our own supporters are. For both clubs, it's not an ideal situation but it is what it is. We've all got to follow the experts in this situation and do what we're told.
"I'm no expert in terms of giving advice out in this situation. It's a very unique situation that I've never faced before. I'm sure the fans will do what they want to do.
"So I'm not really sure what message to give them really. If they decide they've already paid for flights and they want to go support the team in any shape or form, I'll go with that."
SPFL - No extra cash for coronavirus losses
Scotland's clubs have been warned not to expect extra cash handouts from the Scottish Professional Football League if they are forced to play games behind closed doors because of the coronavirus.
So far Hampden bosses have resisted calls to follow the lead set by a number of European nations - including Italy's Serie A - and order matches to be played without fans.
But on Tuesday, SPFL chiefs did advise their members to "examine their insurance arrangements" in case they are forced to take action to help combat the spread of the virus.
Banning fans from stadiums would present a major blow to Scotland's clubs, who are heavily reliant on their income through the gate.
And now league bosses have cautioned that they will not be able to help out clubs in distress after insisting they have no spare funds to dish out.
In a statement given to the PA news agency, a spokesperson for the SPFL said: "Of course, we will implement any instructions from the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, as public health remains the overwhelming priority.
"We have already made clear publicly and to the Scottish Government that there will be dire financial consequences for our clubs if matches are played behind closed doors or cancelled.
"We have written to all clubs advising them to examine their insurance arrangements in case of matches being affected.
"This is particularly important as the SPFL does not hold reserves. Every single penny of income from sponsorships, broadcast deals and cup revenue is already paid to the clubs as fees."
