First Division clubs face expulsion over SPL2

Clubs in the Second and Third Divisions will meet on Tuesday to consider calling for the expulsion of the so-called “rebel ten” from the Scottish Football League.

The meeting marks a hardening of attitudes towards the ten who, as things stand, would make up next season’s First Division – Alloa Athletic, Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton, Dundee, Falkirk, Morton, Hamilton Academical, Livingston, Queen of the South and Raith Rovers.

The ten want to break away from the SFL and join the Scottish Premier League so they can avail themselves of the extra cash promised by the SPL in the proposed revamp of the game which is in danger of being voted down by Second and Third Division clubs.

Just 16 of the 29 SFL clubs eligible to vote on change showed their support for the move in an indicative ballot last Thursday. Twenty-two clubs are required to back the plans when a formal vote is held on 10 June.

Rangers are not entitled to vote because they are only associate members but they will be invited to Tuesday’s meeting and could yet play a key role thanks to their earning potential in terms of TV money.

The Second and Third Division clubs hope that the threat to expel the rebel ten will leave them in limbo if their plans to join the SPL fail.

The ten will hold their own meeting tomorrow with SFL chief executive Neil Doncaster, where they will outline their concerns.

• Neymar trained with his Santos team-mates yesterday in what was likely his last practice session at the Brazilian club before making his much-anticipated move to European football with either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

A day after Santos said they had accepted offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, Neymar trained ahead of his team’s match in the Brazilian league. The game against Flamengo today will probably be his last with Santos.

The 21-year-old striker said he would “look at both offers very carefully” before making a decision. Neymar will probably join his new club after playing for Brazil in the Confederations Cup.

Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues has hinted that Neymar, pictured left, already had a “gentleman’s agreement” with Barcelona, which is the team the player has always said he wanted to play for.

Brazilian media reported that Real Madrid was willing to pay Santos ¤35 million (£30m) for Neymar, ¤7m more than Barcelona.

• Dundee striker John Baird has agreed a move to Partick Thistle.