Contingency plans for this season's Betfred Cup have been announced, which could result in 'lots' being drawn to decide who goes through if clubs can't fulfill a tie, from the second round onwards.
SPFL bosses say that scenario is unlikely, but could take place if both clubs in a second round tie are unwilling or unable to field a team, or fail to notify sufficient numbers of negative test results in accordance with SPFL regulations to enable them to play the tie.
The SPFL board has extended the Covid-19 testing regime from the group stages to cover the second round of fixtures.
As with the first round, several lower division - and therefore non-swab testing - clubs will play against Premiership clubs who are swab testing.
To minimise the risk of transmission to Premiership players, any team drawn against a top-flight club in the competitin is required to swab test its players in the 168-day period prior to the fixture, with results provided to the league by midday two days before the tie.
As with Premiership league fixtures, any players who test positive and any who are identified as a close contact of one whose test is positive are required to self-isolate, and are not able to take part in the tie.
If a club is unable or unwilling to field a team in a Betfred Cup second round tie, including one which fails to provide sufficient negative test results, the club concerned will forfeit the match, on the basis of a 3-0 defeat.
Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPFL, said: "Given the fact that the fixture calendar this season is the tightest in living memory, we have had to take unprecedented steps to ensure that the Betfred Cup matches have definitive results based on the original fixture dates.
"We’re grateful for the vigilance of all clubs involved as we cope with the ongoing and significant challenges presented by Covid-19.
"The level of co-operation and mutual support from clubs across the divisions is enormously encouraging. Everyone recognises that we depend on each other to protect the game, so that we can get back to some degree of normality as soon as possible.
"There will undoubtedly continue to be challenges as we progress through the season, but everyone in the game is determined to play their part in ensuring that the best possible football, in the safest possible conditions, is delivered across all divisions and in every competition."
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