MORTON chairman Crawford Rae believes that the decision to end the season early is the right one due to the 'terrible' coronavirus crisis.

After almost a week of wrangling, disputes, claim and counter-claim Dundee FC finally cast the decisive ballot on Wednesday evening, which terminated the Championship, League One and League Two campaigns.

With the standings declared final, Ton finish seventh and will now collect around £80,000 in prize money to help ease the lack of revenue received since all football was suspended in mid-March.

The management team, players and off-field staff currently remain on furlough leave, with 80 per cent of their wage covered under the UK Government's job retention scheme, but now the club hierarchy can begin planning for the next campaign.

Mr Rae is relieved that a line has been drawn under season 2019/20 after a difficult few weeks, with 81 per cent of clubs eventually voting in favour of the SPFL resolution to end the campaign.

The Ton chairman said: “We have been closely involved in the process, been active in meetings, and have been updated on a regular basis by the SPFL and the Championship representative.

"We would like to thank those parties for their honesty and diligence during this time.

“We have though felt it prudent not to comment until the voting process was ended.

“With the various issues around public health, the need to protect everyone in our society, and the need to plan for life beyond this terrible pandemic, we believe this decision is the best solution for the future of Scottish football during this unprecedented time.

“It is simply not possible to complete the current season under these circumstances."

The decision to 'call' the leagues as they stand has proved hugely controversial, with Partick Thistle incensed at being relegated when they would have had nine games to save themselves from the drop.

Talks are now due to take place over a possible league reconstruction scheme which could be used as a way to bring the Jags, Hearts and other disgruntled clubs on board.

Mr Rae says he acknowledges that the situation is not ideal and that there is an element of unfairness which will impact upon certain sides.

He said: “We are hugely sympathetic to the effect this decision will have on clubs who will be adversely impacted, and we hope they are able to work through the difficult times ahead.

“It is important for everyone within Scottish football to now come together and as a club we will continue to remain calm and respectful of others.

“Football clubs are very much at the heart of our communities and it is our duty to continue to show compassion during these difficult times.

“In the coming days and weeks, we will finalise our plans and update on the way forward."