Highland League and North Caledonian League will not start until at least March as SFA confirm suspensions will not be lifted in February
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THE Highland League will not restart this month after the Scottish Football Association confirmed suspensions due to Covid-19 won't be lifted this week.
THE SFA confirmed competitions at League One level and below, including the North Caledonian League and North Junior Football, as well as the Scottish Cup can't restart in February.
The SFA were due to hold a review of the current suspension on Wednesday and looking to allow competitions affected to restart on Sunday.
But a statement from the SFA said that due to announcements made by the Scottish Government today, suspensions will remain in place, with a new review date of March 1.
It said: "In recent weeks, the Scottish FA has engaged extensively with clubs and leagues affected by the suspension of professional football across the men’s and women’s game to discuss tailored return to playing plans for implementation when it is considered safe and appropriate to resume.
"We have also remained in regular dialogue with Scottish Government to ensure their input into and ultimately approval of those proposed plans.
"Regrettably, the government has today confirmed that – in cognisance of the current restrictions in place across the country – they cannot currently commit to return dates for those affected leagues in the coming weeks.
We will continue to speak with all parties in the meantime and will provide a further update by March 1.
"This date should not be seen as a proposed restart date, however it should help provide some clarity to affected clubs to aid their planning over the short term.
"Whilst this is disappointing news, Scottish football will continue to play its part in assisting the Scottish Government’s efforts to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19 across the country."