League 1 & 2 clubs being singled out for harsher treatment says Stenny Chairman

Stenhousemuir FC chairman Iain McMenemy says club officials in League 1 and 2 were both surprised and disappointed that they would not return to training or playing this month.
Stenhousemuir FC chairman Iain McMenemyStenhousemuir FC chairman Iain McMenemy
Stenhousemuir FC chairman Iain McMenemy

All football below the SPFL Championship has been suspended since December and clubs in League 1 and 2 recently came together to agree on a route for them to return to football.

Despite the 20 clubs, including Falkirk and Stenhousemuir, agreeing on the plan which involved their staff takeing regular Covid-19 tests, they will not be back training or playing this month and are not expecting any more updates until March.

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Speaking to the Falkirk Herald, McMenemy said: “Club officials across the twenty clubs in Leagues 1 and 2 in the SPFL were incredibly disappointed, and surprised, when this news was hastily relayed to us from Hampden on Tuesday as it had somehow already been leaked to the media.

"The news was disappointing as the twenty clubs had united to develop a robust shared plan that would enable clubs to resume playing.

"This included the clubs in League 1 & 2 carrying out full PCR testing of players to the same standards as the Premiership and Championship.

"Despite us being told that this was the key factor in us being suspended from play back in early January, despite offering to meet the required standards we were still refused the chance to return.

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"Professional sport has an exemption. So too does football. It is therefore very disappointing that we have been singled out for harsher treatment to other clubs and to other sports.

"However, the fight will continue and we remain committed to getting back as soon as is possible.

"For now, players and staff remain on furlough and the uncertainty around jobs and contracts continues.

“We can see that the disappointment among fans is turning to anger. It does feel that professional clubs in Leagues 1 & 2 are being treated unfairly and there is no science or evidence behind the suspension continuing, whilst an exemption is in place that should allow us to play as long as we test players.

“Fans want answers, and so too do club officials. However, the first priority is to get our game back playing, and the rest can follow.”

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