Weather wipes out SPL programme

All of this Saturday’s six matches in the Scottish Premier League (SPL) have been postponed because of the cold snap that has hit much of Britain.

That means there will be no action at all in the 12-club SPL this weekend, with Saturday’s fixtures between Aberdeen and Celtic, Hibernian and St Mirren, Inverness and Dundee United, Motherwell and Kilmarnock, Rangers and Hearts and St Johnstone and Hamilton all having to be rescheduled for a later date.

An SPL statement read: “In light of the severe weather conditions across Scotland, which are forecast to continue for some time, all Clydesdale Bank Premier League games have been postponed this Saturday, December 4.

“It is hoped that this early notice of postponement, whilst disappointing, will allow everyone to plan accordingly. New dates for the fixtures will be announced in due course.”

Last weekend’s referees’ strike meant four SPL matches were completed with foreign officials on Saturday, with two more postponed on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions.

Snow blizzards this week have led to severe weather warnings across Scotland and temperatures are forecast to drop further this weekend, prompting the SPL to make the early decision to postpone this Saturday’s fixtures, primarily because of concerns over spectator safety.

Several fixtures in the Scottish Football League have also been postponed, with more expected to follow and the weather is set to hit other sports across Britain, with Friday’s English Premiership rugby union fixture between Newcastle and Bath already called off.