Coronavirus: Scotland ends lower football divisions

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Lower football leagues in Scotland ended Wednesday in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) said leading teams in the second, third and fourth leagues were declared winners.

"The SPFL has announced that the directors’ written resolution ending Season 2019/20 in the Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League 1 and Ladbrokes League 2, has been passed with agreement by 81% of all members," the leagues organizers said.

The decision means Dundee United are champions in the second-tier Ladbrokes Championship division, Raith Rovers winners in the Ladbrokes League One and Cove Rangers are champs in the Ladbrokes League Two.

"Firstly, I want to pass on my warmest congratulations to all three clubs on their successful campaigns," said SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan who acknowledged that ending a season early was a rare habit for Scotland.

"It is no exaggeration to say that this was an existential matter for Scottish clubs, with many of them telling us they were at real risk of going under unless the situation was resolved very quickly, so I’m pleased that the game has moved decisively," MacLennan added

The SPFL board did provide information about relegations or promotions of clubs but there will be talks about restructuring the 2020-2021 season.

More than 12,800 people have died in the U.K. from coronavirus, with almost 100,000 confirmed cases.

Globally, the virus has infected more than 2 million patients and has claimed an excess of 132,200 lives, according to figures compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

More than half a million have recovered.