SFA to study changes to fixture calendar | Football | STV Sport

Hampden Stadium Pic: © SNS Group

The Scottish Football Association is to commission a study into changes to the fixture calendar.

The decision has been taken after a debate at Hampden Park by the SFA Council over the potential need for an early star to the season, a winter break or a wholesale move to summer football.

The debate, which involved Sheila Begbie, Scottish FA Head of Girls’ and Women's Football, Stuart Lovell, from PFA Scotland, Greig Ingram, from Supporters Direct Scotland, and Iain King, Head of Sport for The Scottish Sun, considered bothe the professional and the non-professional game in Scotland.

SFA president Campbell Ogilvie said that the study would allow a clear understanding of the arguments for and against change before further consideration is given to altering the calendar.

“I believe it is important that we take a serious and evidence-based look at the fixture calendar,” Ogilvie said.

“I understand there are many reasons for and against any changes such as a move towards ‘summer football’, an earlier start to the season or a winter break, but it is important we understand fully the current situation and the possible benefits of a realignment of the fixture calendar.

“I was encouraged by the willingness shown by everyone at the Council Debate to take the issue forward in the hope of a solution that appeals to the clubs, the fans, the players and the sponsors and that is why we have decided to commission the study.”

While a move to playing in summer is considered viable for the recreational game, where facilities are often affected by winter weather, the professional game would be more likely to introduce an earlier start to the season to allow for a mid-season break.

Ogilvie stressed that the new study was only a fact-finding mission at this stage but said there was an openness to consider change.

“There are many areas that require further discussion but it is encouraging that at all levels of the debate there is a willingness to look at positive changes,” he added. “The in-depth study will provide statistical evidence before we look at the next steps.”