Dundee United declared Championship winners as Scottish clubs agree to terminate 2019/20 season

Dundee United have been declared Scottish Championship winners after a resolution was passed by members of the Scottish Professional Football League to end the season with immediate effect.

The directors’ written resolution to bring to a close the Championship, League 1 and League 2 seasons was passed with agreement from 81% of members.

Raith Rovers have been declared champions of League 1, while Cove Rangers are League 2 winners, with a decision on whether to declare Celtic Premiership champions still to come.

The process had been delayed after one team – believed to be United’s city rivals Dundee – hadn’t cast their ballot as of last week but the issue has since been resolved.

There remains some uncertainty as to the composition of the leagues for next season with some clubs, including relegation-threatened Hearts, favouring a restructured 14-team Premiership.

The SPFL board have appointed Hearts chair Ann Budge and Hamilton Academicals’ Les Gray to head a ‘reconstruction taskforce’ with a view to agreeing a possible new structure for the 2020/21 season.

“Firstly, I want to pass on my warmest congratulations to all three clubs on their successful campaigns,” said SPFL chairman Murdo MacLenna.

“This was a highly unusual end to the season, to say the least, and not the one any of us would have preferred, but all three deserve enormous credit for their performances over the course of the season.

“With the turmoil and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, there was always going to be a highly-charged and passionate debate about how we secure the future of Scottish football.

“It is no exaggeration to say that this was an existential matter for Scottish clubs, with many of them telling us they were at real risk of going under unless the situation was resolved very quickly, so I’m pleased that the game has moved decisively.

“Whilst more than 80% of clubs agreed with the directors’ written resolution, it’s clear that others were strongly opposed.

“There has been talk of voiding the season, making emergency loans and so on, but what has been agreed today is not just the best way forward, it was the only realistic way forward and I now call on all 42 clubs to move forward in a constructive and positive way.”

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Prior to this positive result, we were unable to make the vital end-of-season payments, which will provide a lifeline to so many clubs in the lower divisions.

“From our detailed discussions with clubs, many were facing an enormous cash-flow crisis. We have moved as quickly as possible to try to resolve this unprecedented situation.

“We’ve achieved the 75% agreement threshold in the Ladbrokes Premiership, Championship and Leagues 1 & 2 and will now be working as quickly as we can to get the end-of-season payments to members in the three lower divisions by the end of this week.”