The SPFL board have told League One and Two clubs they have severe reservations about the desire to move to a 22-game season and a 'split' to complete the campaign.
Teams have been given the green light to resume matches from March 20 and clubs now wish to play a 22-game season, which would be decided by a split, forcing a two-week delay to the start of the Championship/League 1 and League 1/2 play-offs from May 5 to May 19.
However, the SPFL would prefer the divisions to play out a more straightforward 18-game season, with each side playing one another twice.
And this evening the SPFL board have responded to the joint-statement from League One and Two clubs insisting they have major concerns about the season's completion, should the campaign be hit by any more Covid-related issues.
They believe their proposal to play 18 games would be more 'flexible' to fixture alterations and this would avoid clubs having to sit out on certain weekends due to the uneven split numbers in the 10-team divisions.
The SPFL insist they respect the right of the member clubs to decide their own future, but they must provide details on how to deal with clubs unable to complete a full campaign before approving a move for the play-off dates.
A statement read: "The SPFL Board approved the recommencement of League 1 and League 2 League Matches on 20 March.
"However, the Board remains concerned regarding the realistic ability of League 1 and League 2 Clubs to complete a 22-match Season, including the introduction of a new 'split' in each Division.
"Such a fixture schedule would mean one Club in each half of the 'split' sitting out one round of fixtures post-split, including the final day of the season. It would also severely constrain the flexibility of the SPFL to schedule fixtures in the event of future disruption from Covid-19 and risks part-time clubs being required to play Saturday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday.
"It is also guaranteed that a minimum of one League 1 or 2 club will reach Round 4 of the Scottish Cup, creating further fixturing challenges.
"However, the SPFL Board respects the right of League 1 and League 2 clubs to determine how many League Matches they wish to play this season.
"The SPFL Board has therefore asked the League 1 and League 2 representatives to consider how they would wish the Board to deal with any Club unable to complete a 22-match programme in the time available.
"Only then will the Board be able to consider the requests to push back the dates of the Play-Offs."
SPFL Chairman Murdoch MacLennan commented: "We are pleased that League 1 and League 2 clubs have come together to propose a way forward for the resumption of their season.
"However, it's our duty to underline that the SPFL Board has severe reservations about the practicality of part-time clubs being able to complete a 22-game season, including a 'split', in time to compete in the end of season play-offs.
"In the Board's view, an 18-game season would have created far more flexibility but, that said, we respect the right of League 1 and League 2 clubs to determine how many games they will play this season."
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