Stadium and undersoil heating regulations set to be relaxed

THE regulations stating that teams in Scotland’s top-flight will require a 6,000 all-seater stadium and undersoil heating look set to be softened in light of the new league proposals for Scottish football.

Many of the clubs which would make up the new-look Championship do not currently have stadium facilities that meet the current SPL criteria, and with the possibility of those clubs meeting Premiership teams in the Play-off League once the 12-12-18 system splits after 22 matches, Scottish football chiefs appear ready to alter the rulebook.

It is understood that licensing legislation for clubs in the top-two tiers will be reduced to bronze level, which will allow clubs to use pitch covers instead of undersoil heating, while there will also be the possibility of a short-term reprimand for clubs who currently fall short of meeting bronze level. This would mean that they could compete in the top leagues while bringing their facilities up to that standard.

Raith Rovers chairman Turnbull Hutton, speaking last week, 
suggested that there would have to be an easing of the rules regarding stadium criteria.

He said: “The dawning reality from the SPL is that the criteria for stadiums are going to have to be tempered with some realism.”

“There has been millions wasted on infrastructure for a bankrupt football set-up just to tick a box on the old SPL check-list.”

In a further development, the club winning the Premiership title will give up £315,000 from their prize money – currently at £2.7 million – while the runners-up will also renege on a substantial amount of the £2.4m currently on offer. The cuts to prize money have been agreed to facilitate a fairer distribution of wealth throughout the leagues.