United Saw Phil Collapse...But SPL Dont Care!

The SPL have defended their decision not to postpone Dundee United`s match against Heart, after United requested the match was called off in the wake of Phil O`Donnell`s death last weekend.

SPL secretary Iain Blair has claimed that since there is no direct link between Dundee United and the former Motherwell captain, there was no reason to cancel today`s SPL match.

However, it was Dundee United who were playing Motherwell when Phil O`Donnell collapsed and the United players are still in shock over witnessing a fellow professional suffer a heart attack on the pitch.

"The games that have been postponed are games where there has been a direct link to Phil and to Motherwell," claimed SPL secretary Iain Blair.

"Obviously, the tragic events of Saturday evening have hit everyone hard. In situations like this, there are no easy answers. If there are people who feel we should have made a different decision, then I fully respect their right to hold that view."

"We've asked for a minute's applause to be held before each of the games today. All of the players will be wearing black armbands. We want the games themselves to be a mark of respect for an excellent professional footballer."