{"id":556778,"date":"2020-07-05T14:46:42","date_gmt":"2020-07-05T18:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=556778"},"modified":"2020-07-05T14:46:42","modified_gmt":"2020-07-05T18:46:42","slug":"spl-to-release-fixtures-despite-hearts-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/05\/spl-to-release-fixtures-despite-hearts-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"SPL to Release Fixtures Despite Hearts\u2019 Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Scottish Premier League (SPL) is to release their fixture list on Monday July 5, for the forthcoming 2020\/21 season. However, the release is not without contention.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last week, Hearts of Midlothian suffered a setback in their bid to remain in the SPL. Hearts, brought a legal challenge against the Scottish Football League (SPFL)<\/a> to overturn their <\/span>relegation<\/span> from the SPL. They were joined in the action by <\/span>Partick<\/span> Thistle, who were also seeking a reversal of their relegation from the Scottish Championship.<\/span><\/p>\n

SPL to Release Fixtures Despite Hearts\u2019 Fight<\/h2>\n

SPFL Going to Arbitration<\/span><\/h3>\n

The case was heard<\/a> in the Court of Session in <\/span>Edinburgh<\/span>. However, the court ruled that it is not a matter for them. Instead, they have referred it to arbitration. This is similar to a court setting, but is not open to the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearts, <\/span>Partick<\/span> and the SPFL will present the same case in arbitration, as they would in court. After hearing the evidence, an <\/span>independent<\/span> panel will then make a ruling. This ruling is final and cannot be appealed against.<\/span><\/p>\n

SPL Fixture Complications<\/span><\/h3>\n

The arbitration hearing is expected to begin next week, as a matter of urgency. However, Monday is also the day that the SPL releases their fixtures for next season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should Hearts win their case, then they will remain in the SPL. This will see Dundee United denied promotion. The 11 other clubs, whose <\/span>SPL status is confirmed, <\/span>are unaffected. Although tomorrow\u2019s fixture release could still cause problems to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dundee United\u2019s name will be listed w<\/span>hen the fixtures are released. The most obvious solution is to swap United’s name for Hearts. Yet, not only is this unfair on United’s supporters, but it is probably impractical due to policing and other factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should Dundee United be forced to remain in the <\/span>Championship<\/span>, then their season will not commence until October. Currently, they are planning for the SPL’s start date of August 1st.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another outcome is that Hearts and Partick’s relegation is confirmed, but they receive compensation from the SPFL. Hearts are seeking \u00a38 million, while Partick want \u00a32 million.<\/span><\/p>\n

It <\/span>could<\/span> take up to three weeks for the Arbitration Panel to make a final decision. Add this time-scale to today’s date, and it nearly reaches August. Therefore, the fixture list could require a rewrite just days before the season commences.<\/span><\/p>\n

The one definite is that without doubt, the whole saga is a mess.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>