Celtic set to be handed Champions League boost by UEFA

UEFA is expected to back-peddle on their position of leagues declaring champions and making end of season payouts to clubs, giving Celtic a UCL boost.

It was not long ago when UEFA declared that leagues who were to prematurely declare their seasons would face stiff consequences. These consequences included not allowing clubs of those league to participate in European competition next year. This would have been especially devastating to Celtic.

Celtic have been poised to make a legitimate run at the Champions League Group Stage next year, and a unilateral SPFL decision could have put that at risk. Now after Scotland has teamed up with other nations that have similar sized leagues, it appears that UEFA may begin to take back those threats.

As more information is brought to light regarding how the novel coronavirus is affecting medium and small-sized clubs, UEFA realizes it can no longer withhold leagues from declaring a winner and making payouts by threatening to exclude them from European competition. This is a stark difference in their previous statements.

Here is latest statement on the situation as reported by The Sun:

"Ajax chief van der Sar has revealed he’s held discussions with UEFA and they have eased their hardline stance on so-called lesser leagues like Scotland, Holland and Belgium.That could pave the way for Celtic to be named champions of Scotland as early as next Thursday, now the SPFL resolution giving the board the power to call the league early on average points won has controversially been given the assent of the clubs.Premier League clubs in England met yesterday to re-confirm their intention to get the season played to a finish, although it remains unclear precisely when matches will be able to return – even behind closed doors.Van der Sar said: “I’ve spoken to UEFA a lot and the relationship between us now is good, despite us making clear we want to end the Eredivisie immediately so clubs can get paid out.“I believe UEFA’s position on medium and smaller leagues has changed. Certainly, I no longer believe there will be any possibility of possible sanctions that would exclude teams from European football next season.Throughout this, we have been in close contact with UEFA, the European Clubs’ Association and of course all the other teams from our league and there is a growing belief everything will be decided next week.”"

This would give Celtic a huge boost in their Champions League endeavours for the 2020/21 season. UEFA could have unilaterally altered European plans for Celtic based on a unilateral move by the SPFL. This now allows a way forward for Celtic into the UCL. Based on the increased co-efficient, if it remains so, would give Celtic an even greater chance of seeing through to the Group Stage.