Neil Doncaster says talk of SPL2 a ‘distraction’

Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster has urged the country’s professional clubs to push ahead with reform this summer and described talk of a potential SPL2 as a “distraction”.

Doncaster confirmed he had held talks with some Scottish Football League clubs after 29 of their members attended a meeting on Thursday which indicated that around half were reluctant to vote for immediate change. Fourteen of the clubs argued that league reconstruction proposals should be delayed despite previously widespread support for plans for a merged league with a 12-12-18 structure and extended play-offs to be implemented next season.

But Doncaster insisted he was only answering questions at the impromptu meeting and wants to focus on unified change rather than discussing a possible breakaway of First Division clubs to join the top 12.

Doncaster told BBC Scotland at the weekend: “We’re in danger of getting distracted. A lot of work has gone into creating something exciting. All the elements have been agreed and we should push forward.

“When you start talking about different elements and ideas, you are going to get distracted. We need to push on with what’s been agreed and try to deliver it.”

Hamilton chairman Les Gray and his Falkirk counterpart Martin Ritchie have both vowed to explore the SPL2 option if immediate change is blocked.

But Doncaster added: “Anything you talk about as an alternative to what’s on the table at the moment is a distraction. I heard Les on the radio and he came across as passionate about the need for change.”

He added: “It’s not acceptable to start saying ‘well, let’s just push it back a year because we can’. I think we should focus on delivery of the deal for this summer. The deal is the deal agreed by all parties in January and for whatever reason some people want to push it back.”