SPFL reveal resolution decision as Dundee submit vote - league reconstruction taskforce set up

The SPFL have confirmed their resolution has passed. Picture: SNS

Dundee have submitted a ‘yes’ vote in favour of the SPFL’s resolution to terminate the 2019/2020 season.

The organisation have confirmed their proposal has now passed with 81 per cent of the 42 members clubs in favour.

The governing body have crowned Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers as winners of the Championship, League One and League Two respectively.

The SPFL have also confirmed both Partick Thistle and Stranraer are to be relegated.

The organisation has not made note of the controversy which has enveloped Scottish football since Friday’s vote.

Murdoch MacLennan, SPFL chairman, said: “Firstly, I want to pass on my warmest congratulations to all three clubs on their successful campaigns. This was a highly unusual end to the season, to say the least, and not the one any of us would have preferred, but all three deserve enormous credit for their performances over the course of the season.

“With the turmoil and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, there was always going to be a highly-charged and passionate debate about how we secure the future of Scottish football.

“It is no exaggeration to say that this was an existential matter for Scottish clubs, with many of them telling us they were at real risk of going under unless the situation was resolved very quickly, so I’m pleased that the game has moved decisively.

“Whilst more than 80 per cent of clubs agreed with the directors’ written resolution, it’s clear that others were strongly opposed. There has been talk of voiding the season, making emergency loans and so on, but what has been agreed today is not just the best way forward, it was the only realistic way forward and I now call on all 42 clubs to move forward in a constructive and positive way.”

More than £9million in end of season payments will now be paid out to clubs.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Prior to this positive result, we were unable to make the vital end-of-season payments, which will provide a lifeline to so many clubs in the lower divisions. From our detailed discussions with clubs, many were facing an enormous cash-flow crisis. We have moved as quickly as possible to try to resolve this unprecedented situation.

“We’ve achieved the 75 per cent agreement threshold in the Ladbrokes Premiership, Championship and Leagues 1 and 2 and will now be working as quickly as we can to get the end-of-season payments to members in the three lower divisions by the end of this week.”

The passing of the resolution also paves the way for Celtic to be Ladbrokes Premiership winners, completing nine in a row, and Hearts to be demoted to the Championship.

However, it could change if league reconstruction is put in place, with Tynecastle chairman Ann Budge and Hamilton Academical’s Les Gray leading a task force to look at possible options which could see an expanded Scottish Premiership.

A statement said: “The SPFL executive will provide all possible services and support to make the work of the task force a success.

“The resolution also gives authority to the board to make a decision on the remainder of the Ladbrokes Premiership season and the board is committed to consulting with Premiership clubs before any such decision is made.”

Dundee released a statement earlier on today, explaining their reasoning for revoking their yes vote on Friday which didn’t land with the SPFL originally.

In a lengthy explanation on their website they admitted that they decided to ask for their vote not to be cast after seeing the SPFL’s statement regarding the result as of Friday evening.

“It was our intention (as the world has seen through the disappointing and regrettable actions of two championship clubs) to vote ‘no’ on the proposed resolution,” the club said.

“Despite being electronically submitted, for whatever reason, our vote did not reach the centre (SPFL.) We were not aware of that, however, until the SPFL published the ‘results’ of an incomplete vote and it was shown that Dundee FC’s vote was not received. This raised an immediate red flag for us; not only was our vote missing, but we discovered that at least two Premiership clubs had modified their position from the understanding we had the day prior.”

The club stated they felt they required extra assurances that a possible league revamp would be taken seriously.

The club said: “Additionally and most importantly for Dundee FC, we spoke to other member clubs regarding their appetite for reconstruction, as the SPFL’s briefing notes does not give us much of a chance and this is the only aspect of any proposal that helps Dundee FC in any way.”