SPL chief says league could expand from 12 to 16 teams

Published on Wednesday 3 March 2010 22:30

EXPANDING the SPL from 12 to 16 teams and introducing play-offs is a realistic possibility, according to chief executive Neil Doncaster.

In order to satisfy a growing appetite among supporters to freshen up the league, Doncaster says the 12 member clubs are prepared to discuss proposals for change. Speaking yesterday at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, Doncaster said the expansion of the league is an idea that merits further examination but that the organisation must look at a variety of ideas.

He said: "There has been talk of the SPL expanding to 16 teams and we have been talking to supporters and there does seem to be some desire to freshen things up. That could mean more teams in the SPL, but we have be open to all ideas.

"We know the play-offs in the Football League have been a tremendous success and innovations like that can create so much in terms of excitement, interest and revenue so we have to be open to all ideas."

Doncaster admitted that the loss of one Champions League qualification spot for season 2011/12 will have an impact.

"The coefficient being as it is, leading to the loss of Champions League representation for one of our teams, will certainly increase the pressure for change," he added. "There's no doubt in my mind that we need to look very carefully at where the SPL is going. There are two very big clubs in our mix and in the past they made no secret that they may be open to invitations from elsewhere."

But Doncaster insisted the Old Firm could not negotiate their own TV deals. "Celtic and Rangers, are likely to be there for the foreseeable future. I don't think it has any impact at all on individual selling because that is not allowed under the SPL constitution. Collective selling makes a more level playing field for the game."