Doncaster’s demand for ‘clarity’ as saga goes on

Little over an hour after it was announced Bill Miller had withdrawn his offer for the Ibrox club, Doncaster spoke to reporters at the Clydesdale Bank Premier League awards dinner in Glasgow.

He said there was no plan to change the date of the already twice-adjourned general meeting of SPL clubs to discuss financial fair play regulations and potential sanctions for “Newco” clubs and those who experience insolvency events. But Doncaster insists the SPL can have no significant involvement until the Rangers situation is resolved. “From the point of view of the other 11 clubs and the SPL itself, clearly clarity would be preferred,” said Doncaster.

“This development today means a lack of clarity. But we are in a position where we can’t be proactive. We have to be reactive to whatever is agreed between Duff and Phelps as administrators at Rangers and, indeed, any bidder who comes forward. We have to wait and see what develops. The clubs will meet again on 30 May. They may meet before then, but they will certainly meet on the 30th. That will involve Ross County as the new member club and financial fair play will be discussed on that day.

“There may be other things to discuss but, again, we are not in control of that process. We can only control what we can control. Control is very much in the hands of the bidders and Duff & Phelps. At the point where a deal is agreed, they will come forward and we can then respond to whatever deal emerges.

“The whole of Scottish football would benefit from earlier clarity. Life goes on at the SPL. We have a fixture list to plan for next season, we have commercial contracts to put in place. It’s exactly the same for the clubs. They have season tickets to sell, commercial deals to sign, players to sign up for next season. So as much clarity as can be achieved is clearly desirable. But we are not in that position. We have to wait and see what deal can be agreed between Duff and Phelps and a bidder.”