No restart date yet for Scottish football's lower leagues

Scottish football’s lower leagues will remain suspended for at least the rest of February.

There has been no football below the Championship since early January as the country deals with the pandemic.

This season’s Scottish Cup was also suspended after the second round.

Despite talks with the Scottish Government, the Scottish FA said it was still unable to commit to a restart date.

Another review is scheduled to take place by March 1.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the SFA said: “In recent weeks, the Scottish FA has engaged extensively with clubs and leagues affected by the suspension of professional football across the men’s and women’s game to discuss tailored return to playing plans for implementation when it is considered safe and appropriate to resume.

“We have also remained in regular dialogue with Scottish Government to ensure their input into and ultimately approval of those proposed plans.

“Regrettably, the government has today confirmed that – in cognisance of the current restrictions in place across the country – they cannot currently commit to return dates for those affected leagues in the coming weeks.

“We will continue to speak with all parties in the meantime and will provide a further update by March 1.

“This date should not be seen as a proposed restart date, however it should help provide some clarity to affected clubs to aid their planning over the short term.

“Whilst this is disappointing news, Scottish football will continue to play its part in assisting the Scottish Government’s efforts to reduce the prevalence of Covid-19 across the country.”