Scottish clubs can postpone league match for European play-offs
Scottish clubs will be able to postpone a league match to prepare for a play-off round tie in European competition from next season.Previously postponements had to be agreed by both clubs but now a team playing in Europe can unilaterally delay a game.It only applies to matches on the weekend of 22 and 23 August 2025, between the first and second legs of play-off ties in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.Next season the Scottish Premiership winners - likely to be Celtic- will enter the Champions League at that play-off stage.The second place side, which looks set to be Rangers, will enter in the second qualifying round, while this season's Scottish Cup winners, or third-place side if Celtic win the cup, will enter the Europa League at the play-off stage.The change was approved by the SPFL board after a working group recommended altering the rules.Managers and club owners have continually stressed the difficulty of balancing European qualifiers in the early part of the season with domestic duties, particularly with other leagues moving games to help clubs in their own leagues.The league body's chief operating officer Calum Beattie said the SPFL is "very keen" to support clubs but stressed options to move games are "very limited" due to the "extremely congested" schedule."This new policy has received extremely positive feedback from our clubs on the SPFL Competitions Working Group which believe it will be beneficial in their aims of reaching the league phase of Uefa competitions, and we're pleased to be introducing it for next season," Beattie added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
28 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Beckham, Bale, Bellingham – Trent adds to list of British players to join Madrid
Here, the PA news agency looks at the Spanish giants' previous high-profile British signings. Laurie Cunningham (1979-84) England winger Cunningham lit up the Bernabeu after his move from West Brom (PA) The winger became the first British professional player to move to the Bernabeu after Los Blancos agreed a £950,000 deal with West Brom in 1979. The Londoner helped the side to a league and cup double in his first season but that proved the peak as injuries blighted the remainder of his time at the club. Steve McManaman (1999-2003) McManaman was one of the first big-name English players to exploit the Bosman ruling when he quit Liverpool to join Real on a free transfer. He won the Champions League twice – scoring a memorable goal in a player-of-the-match display against Valencia in the 2000 final – as well as LaLiga on two occasions. David Beckham (2003-07) David Beckham's fortunes in Madrid were mixed (Nick Potts/PA) Beckham and Real Madrid seemed a match made in heaven, but the anticipated glut of trophies did not follow. Things turned sour after Fabio Capello took over as manager in 2006 and, amid contract wrangling, the England captain was frozen out. That pushed him to agree a move to LA Galaxy but there was to be a happy ending as he was recalled for the run-in and played a pivotal role as Real claimed the league crown. Michael Owen (2004-05) The England forward spent a single season at the Bernabeu after Liverpool agreed to a cut-price £8million sale after tiring of months of contract negotiations. But he did not settle well and, despite scoring a creditable 16 goals in 45 appearances, mostly from the bench, did not look like supplanting Ronaldo or Raul in the team. He was sold to Newcastle after a year, for £15m. Jonathan Woodgate (2004-07) Woodgate's spell in Spain was an unhappy one (Nick Potts/PA) England centre-back Woodgate endured a torrid spell in the Spanish capital with a succession of injuries limiting him to just 14 appearances in two years. He did not play at all in his first season and, when his debut belatedly came against Athletic Bilbao in September 2005, he scored an own goal and received a red card. He departed for Middlesbrough in 2006, initially on loan. Gareth Bale (2013-22) ⚪️🏆 Gareth Bale stole the show as Madrid beat Liverpool to take home the trophy #OTD in 2018 💪#UCL | #UCLfinal — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 26, 2021 Statistically, the Welsh winger belongs among Real's greats having helped the club to five Champions Leagues and three LaLiga titles following his world-record £85m move from Tottenham. Highlights included two goals against Liverpool, one a spectacular overhead kick, in the 2018 Champions League final but supporters were never truly won over amid a perceived rivalry with team-mate and fan favourite Cristiano Ronaldo. Embracing a Welsh fan's flag reading 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order' hardly helped. Caroline Weir (2022-present) Weir (left) has made a strong impression at Real (Jane Barlow/PA) The Scotland international moved to Real from Manchester City in 2022 and enjoyed a superb first season in Liga F, scoring 19 goals in 28 appearances as the team finished runners-up to Barcelona. She also scored against City to knock her old club out of the Champions League. A cruciate ligament injury prevented her building on that last term before her return to action earlier this season. Jude Bellingham (2023-present) 😊 Jude Victor William Bellingham, at your service. 😊 — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 12, 2023 It is sometimes difficult to believe Bellingham is still only 21, such is the remarkable impression the England midfielder has made in the game, first at Borussia Dortmund and now at Real. Revelling in an attacking role, he shone from the moment he arrived in Spain, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists in his first campaign that produced a LaLiga and Champions League double.
BreakingNews.ie
31 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks Spanish as he describes ‘dream' Real Madrid move
Trent Alexander-Arnold said joining Real Madrid was a 'dream come true' as he delivered his opening address to club dignitaries and invited guests in Spanish. The 26-year-old England international, who has signed a six-year deal after his contract with Liverpool expired, was watched by his family as he spoke confidently at his official presentation ahead of a press conference. Advertisement His choice to speak in the language of his new club and not English surprised many but showed the preparation which had gone into this move, something for which he was criticised by sections of the Liverpool fanbase after leaving the club on a free transfer. 👕 #WelcomeTrent 👕 — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 12, 2025 'This doesn't happen every day, it's a dream come true and I'm very happy and proud to be here,' he said after his 20-year association with Liverpool officially came to an end. 'I want to show Real Madrid fans how I play; I'm going to give my all for the team and Real Madrid fans. 'I want to show those fans how I play, I want to win many titles and I want to be a winner here and enjoy playing alongside the many great players.' Advertisement Alexander-Arnold, wearing a black suit and tie, sat next to girlfriend Estelle Behnke as a video montage was played of his best moments in a Liverpool shirt, inevitably featuring his two assists in the 4-0 Champions League semi-final comeback against Real's arch-rivals Barcelona. Trent Alexander-Arnold speaking in fluent Spanish at his Real Madrid unveiling 🇪🇸 — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 12, 2025 His mum Dianne, sat alongside his dad Michael and brothers Tyler – his agent – and Marcell – could be seen wiping away tears as the video concluded. Real president Florentino Perez described Alexander-Arnold as: 'A player who has won everything, one of the best defenders and full-backs in world football. 'One on the greatest players worldwide is joining this club and hopefully we can write a new page in the history books.' Advertisement
Telegraph
32 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Donald Trump ally bids for £170m Crystal Palace stake
John Textor is considering three sale offers to rescue Crystal Palace 's Europa League place – including one from Donald Trump ally Woody Johnson. Telegraph Sport understands the New York Jets owner tabled a 43 per cent purchase proposal, marginally less in overall value than two others being discussed. Raine Group, the New York broker which secured sales for Chelsea and Manchester United, had been in discussion with parties on behalf of Textor since last year. However, the American is conscious of the club's need to now secure a quick transaction to guarantee European competition next season. A quick sale for as little as £170 million has been mooted for Eagle Football Holdings' 43 per cent stake as Textor's ownership of Lyon leaves Palace facing the threat of expulsion from Europe's second tier. Industry insiders believe a purchase of Textor's shares by the current co-owners, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, is the most likely outcome this summer. However, options include at least two other proposals from the US, one of which has been established for months. A deal with Johnson, 78, is viewed as an outside shot. He is a controversial figure in US sport, with the New York Jets facing scrutiny last year following reports of 'controversial and dysfunctional practices' under his watch. Johnson bought the New York Jets in 2000, with the NFL franchise now estimated to be worth around $6.9 billion. The Jets' $1.6 billion MetLife Stadium will hold next year's World Cup final. Johnson is also well-known in UK politics. The long-time Republican Party donor was appointed as US ambassador to the UK during Trump's first term. His brother, Christopher, took over Jets operations during his post. The American businessman has long been interested in buying a Premier League club, having approached Raine about Chelsea in 2022. Other suitors for Palace, meanwhile, are believed to include NBA star Jimmy Butler, part of a consortium of sport and entertainment executives that is expected to make an offer. That separate proposal was first reported by The Athletic on Wednesday night. Another international consortium advised by the veteran football financier Keith Harris also previously expressed interest. Mr Harris's group would probably execute its deal through the recently incorporated Sportbank vehicle. The Sportsbank consortium – worth upwards of £200 million – is said to be made up of a collection of investors from North America, Canada, Europe and the Gulf. Textor, who previously expressed interest in buying Everton, is willing to find another club as soon as possible. Textor acquired his holding in Palace in 2021 for about £90 million. His multi-club network Eagle Football also includes French club Olympique Lyonnais, Rio-based Botafogo and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium. His priority is to pursue a club which can accept players across the group. Crystal Palace's overall value is said to be around £500 million – around the same price that Everton was valued at, minus debt, during Farhad Moshiri's protracted sale. Stanley Tang, of the US-based food delivery company DoorDash, denied suggestions that he was also in discussions to buy Textor's stake. Chairman Steve Parish, Textor and his fellow US businessmen Harris and Blitzer oversee the running of the Selhurst Park club as general partners. However, Textor has repeatedly hinted at frustrations that he does not exert as much club control as he would like. Uefa is set to inform Palace whether they are in breach of its multi-club ownership rules by June 30 – although the matter may then be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) which would delay a final verdict. The FA Cup winners met Uefa officials last week in a two-hour meeting in an attempt to avoid being barred. Palace insist there is no sharing of information or staff or facilities with the French side. The club argue that despite Textor's shareholding, he has no say in the day-to-day running and has just 25 per cent of voting rights. Indeed, Textor has previously spoken about his annoyance at the lack of say he has at Palace and has been trying to sell his shares. Textor reiterated this after last week's meeting in Nyon. However, Nottingham Forest have written a letter to Uefa expressing their position and asking for clarification over whether Palace will be involved.
