Jim McInally insists lower league clubs need to know sooner rather than later about the prospect of playing in front of fans when their seasons start.
Peterhead along with the rest of the Championship, League One and League Two will start their season on October 6 in the Betfred Cup group stage, with league campaigns beginning 11 days later.
Those dates are subject to Scottish Government approval, and breaches of coronavirus protocol by Celtic and Aberdeen players in recent weeks have sparked fears the lower leagues may be delayed.
If they do start as scheduled, supporters being allowed to come through the turnstiles, even in limited numbers, is critical to make it financially viable for clubs.
Blue Toon boss McInally says clubs need to have clarity as they prepare to return to training, about whether they’ll be able to open up grounds in October.
The Scottish Government has previously indicated limited crowds may be allowed to attend sporting events from September 14.
McInally, Scotland’s longest-serving manager, said: “I feel like football is caught up in a political thing now and I’ve always hated politics because you never seem to get anywhere.
“And in football it’s bad enough trying to get a sensible decision, particularly when you look at recent months and what’s gone on, without being caught up in a game of politics with people who probably don’t understand part-time football.
“It feels like we’re waiting on a political decision which I think has probably already been made. Why? Coronavirus isn’t going to go anywhere between now and a couple of months.”
Last week the SFA and SPFL’s Joint Response Group prevented clubs from outside the Premiership from training until August 24.
When it comes to returning to training and playing, McInally believes it should be relatively straightforward with players and staff expected to be tested twice a week.
However if, as some fear, there is to be a pause or a delay, McInally says the sooner clubs know the better.
He added: “It should be pretty easy to know what you need to do to get back playing again.
“We’re either going to be allowed to get back playing or we’re not and that’s not going to change, coronavirus isn’t going to go away unless there’s a vaccine.”
