The Scottish football season has been suspended until further notice over fears of the coronavirus.
The Scottish FA board announced on Friday morning that all domestic, professional and grassroots football is to be suspended after a meeting of the SFA/SPFL Joint Response Group.
Event cancellations include this weekend’s Old Firm match at Ibrox, which will now be rearranged.
The decision was made by the board in the interests of the ‘health and safety of players, match officials, staff, supporters and the general public’.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Macwell said: “Since the guidance outlined by governments last night we have been engaged in extensive dialogue to clarify the position and implications of that guidance for Scottish football.
“Today’s announcement is made in the interests of public health but, equally, the health and safety of players, match officials, and staff across the game. This is of paramount importance as the country enters the ‘delay’ phase of the coronavirus pandemic.”
A statement read: "The SPFL has announced the postponement of this weekend’s and following midweek’s fixtures, starting with tonight’s Premiership match between Motherwell and Aberdeen and the Championship match between Queen of the South and Ayr United.
"The Scottish FA and SPFL will continue to liaise with governments and UEFA in relation to domestic, European and International fixtures in the coming days and more information will be communicated at the appropriate time."
It comes after Nicola Sturgeon urged all gatherings of more than 500 people to be scrapped, saying that it is ‘inappropriate that we continue as normal’.
The game had been up in the air for much of Friday, with rumours of its cancellation surfacing since the guidance was released by the UK government on Thursday.
And now, it is not known when the affected games will be rearranged for, with no date given.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: “As everyone knows, this is a fast-moving and unprecedented situation for the entire country.
“We have been in intensive and detailed discussions since last night and have also been taking on board the experience of our counterparts in England and across Europe.
“The health and safety of fans, players and officials is absolutely paramount. We have not yet had any confirmed cases of coronavirus amongst players in Scotland, but, given the nature of this outbreak, it seems only a matter of time.
“We realise that many people will be bitterly disappointed, and we would obviously prefer to be in a position where we can continue as normal, but that’s neither realistic nor possible.”
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