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| <-Page | <-Team | Sat 19 Aug 2006 Rangers 2 Hearts 0 | Team-> | Page-> |
| <-Srce | <-Type | Herald ------ Report | Type-> | Srce-> |
| Valdas Ivanauskas | <-auth | Darryl Broadfoot | auth-> | Kenny Clark |
| Neilson Robbie | [K Boyd pen 47] ;[K Boyd 49] | |||
| 13 | of 078 | ----- | L SPL | A |
Battles ahead over SPL 2 plansDARRYL BROADFOOT, Chief Football Writer August 18 2006 SCOTTISH football is bracing itself for a radical shake-up after the Scottish Premier League approved in principle plans to create a 10-strong SPL 2. Pearse Flynn, the driving force behind the plans, toasted the news last night but insisted the SPL will have to re-examine its initial criteria for invitation. Among the criteria outlined is that there would be only one team promoted and relegated between the divisions and mandatory participation in first-team, reserve, under-19 and youth development leagues. Flynn, the owner of Livingston, is expected to hold talks aimed at increasing competition within the leagues. "What we are looking to achieve is greater consumer interest," he said. "I want something that's worth playing for and in my mind, one up and one down is not workable." The factions now face a long legal battle after the Scottish Football League, whose powers will diminish further, described the plans as flawed and stressed there would be no chance of a second breakaway until season 2009-10 at the earliest. Peter Donald, the secretary of the SFL, received confirmation from the SPL "about a minute before they went public" and expressed his disappointment at the way business has been conducted. The threat of more clubs leaving puts their long-term existence under threat, especially having shed half their administration staff. Donald believes any breakaway will only occur if financial viability is assured and last night cast down the legitimacy of the SPL's claim that a second tier "would enhance the top level of the game in Scotland". "Finance is the key to all of it and despite being dressed as all for the good of the game, I am of the belief it is more about financial and commercial return. "Already it is apparent a number of areas do not sit comfortably in the SFL rules or, indeed, the settlement agreement." Donald's argument is based on the two seasons notice period for withdrawal of league membership. The rebels want reform by 2008-09, but the fact the leagues started before proposals were lodged means, according to Donald, they will have to wait an extra year. There will also be intense debate over the restructuring of the £1.5m in perpetuity payment agreed during the last split in 1998. Flynn expressed his contempt for boardroom politics and, with the SFL unable to find a sponsor to replace Bell's, believes the move would be the difference between clubs surviving or dying. He accused the SFL of trying to hold on to its last vestiges of power. "If someone says we have to wait three years I would ask: Why? What's the motivation for that?" he said. "This is all about helping those who put money into the game, not those who take it away. If it's an administration issue, that's up to them. My only concern is generating greater interest in Scottish football. "My fear for this season is the first division is won by February and there's no interest, crowds are down and there's no sponsorship. Here, mid-table is death." Donald believes the SPL's ultimate aim is to remedy what he perceives to be a long-standing problem created by the move from a top-10 to a top-12 and says the plan will be turned on its head when completed. He also cast doubt on the plans to create a new cup competition between the SPL divisions, given the SFL already have a three-year agreement with CIS Insurance to sponsor the long-standing League Cup. "One of the reasons for this proposal is that from day one, the top-12 was fatally flawed and I warned them about it at the time and even suggested an alternative," he said. "Ultimately, they want to return the SPL to 10 clubs. As for the new cup competition, I'm not sure of the detail but SPL clubs are required to participate in the CIS Insurance Cup and we have three years left of the current sponsorship." Clyde and Hamilton have supported Flynn's moves and are believed to have the backing of all other division one clubs, bar Gretna, who hope to reach the SPL next season through promotion. Lex Gold, SPL chairman, said: "We have written to our colleagues in the SFL and the Scottish Football Association to arrange an early discussion about the impact of these proposals and how they may best be brought into effect."  Taken from the Herald |
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