SPL to end winter break next season

The Scottish Premier League (SPL) announced Thursday they would not have a winter break next season – although it could return for the following campaign.

The SPL's announcement, which stunned the Scottish Football Association (SFA), came at the same time as they revealed the 2009/10 top-flight season would start on August 8 and conclude on the weekend of May 8.

An SPL board meeting here Thursday decided the early finish to the season dictated by the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa would make a winter break impossible.

“Other details of fixture dates will be announced in due course,” an SPL statement said.

“But season 2009/10 will not include a winter break, given the constraints presented by the early finish to the season required by FIFA (football's global governing body) ahead of the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

“The possibility of re-introducing the winter break for season 2010-11 is being examined.”

An SFA spokesman admitted Thursday they had been shocked by the SPL move.

“Today's announcement has taken us completely by surprise,” he said. “In February each year a fixture co-ordination group comprising of representatives of the Scottish FA, SPL and SFL (Scottish Football League) meet to discuss and approve the fixtures for the coming season.

“The meeting for season 2009/10 has not taken place. It is therefore unprecedented that the SPL have – without any consultation – made this announcement today.”

The SFA spokesman added: “As far as we are concerned this meeting should go ahead in February and all partners should have their say in deciding the shape of the football season.

“One of our key priorities for next season is giving Scottish players the proper time to prepare for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway on August 12.”