Scottish Premiership squads allowed to train from June 11

Scottish Premiership first-team squads will be allowed to train on June 11 after the SFA agreed to a ‘restricted lifting’ of football’s suspension from June 10.

Football has been suspended in Scotland since March 13 as the country moved into lockdown.

At a virtual meeting conducted by the game’s governing body, it was agreed Premiership first-team squads will be able to resume training on June 11.

Top-flight clubs are working towards a potential return to competitive action in August after the 2019/20 campaign was called early, with Celtic declared champions.

Other competitions must show they can meet the testing regime and other safeguarding measures approved by the Scottish FA and Scottish Government before they will also be allowed back to train.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive, said: “Firstly, I would stress that the conditional lifting of suspension for Scottish Premiership clubs is predicated on observing the measures outlined by Scottish Government in their route map out of lockdown.

“I would like to thank the Joint Response Group sub groups for their work in helping to produce the robust Return to Training protocol which has given the government the necessary comfort to provisionally plan for an August 1 restart for the Premiership.

“In particular I would like to recognise the efforts of Dr John MacLean, our Medical Consultant, and his medical sub group in providing clear and unambiguous guidance to clubs on the testing procedures required.

“I am also aware that other parts of the game will seek further clarity on when they may be able to resume. The testing criteria required at this stage is prohibitive but as the governing body for football we are determined to restore the national game at all levels as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.

“I am aware of the need to provide an achievable route map for the women’s game and we are engaged with Scottish Women’s Football to discuss the practicalities for the Scottish Women’s Premier League, especially given Glasgow City’s involvement in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

“The grassroots sub group has recently issued a Q&A to the recreational game and we are in the process of looking at initiatives to keep those grassroots footballers of all ages engaged until they can return to the football pitch.”