Celtic have been named champions of Scotland after Premiership clubs voted on Monday to end the season early due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) said in a statement that following consultation with all 12-top-flight clubs that the 2019/20 season had been concluded "with immediate effect". "The decision means that Celtic are crowned 2019/20 champions and Hearts have been relegated to the Ladbrokes Championship," the statement added. Like most European leagues, the Scottish Premiership was suspended in March as the county scrambled to deal with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan said that the league would have preferred to play out the season "in stadiums and in front of supporters" but that the havoc wreaked by Covid-19 meant that was not feasible and the repercussions "will be felt for a long time". "Scottish Government restrictions and deep concerns for both player and spectator safety left the SPFL with no realistic option but to call the Ladbrokes Premiership now and we thank the Premiership clubs for their support on this decision." The league statement added that final season placings were decided on a points-per-game basis in matches played to March 13. A similar system was used to determine final positions in Scotland's three lowest footballing tiers, which voted to end their seasons early in April. However, the door had been left open for a resumption of the Premiership if and when possible. Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers were declared winners of the Championship, League One and League Two respectively and the SPFL released end-of-season payments of over £1.8 million (Dh8m) to clubs to ease their financial burden. Top-flight Rangers, who finished runners-up, had sought an independent investigation into the SPFL's handling of the season in the wake of the pandemic but clubs last week did not support their request. The resolution, also backed by Hearts and Stranraer, was put forward after misgivings about how the vote on the SPFL's plan to end the lower leagues early had been carried out. The SPFL executive committee last week met all 12 Premiership clubs about declaring the season over and British media reported that relegated Hearts had made a final push for a revamp of the league structure. Celtic were quick to share their delight, tweeting: "Today Celtic have been declared Scottish Premiership Champions for the 9th season in a row. "We have dominated the Premiership, winning 26 games out of 30. "We have scored 89 goals, conceded just 19, and established a commanding 13-point lead at the top of the table. We are champions for a reason. "We dedicate this victory to you. To all our supporters. To the key workers who are saving lives, cleaning hospitals, stacking shelves and shielding loved ones at home. "Our 9, is your 9."
