Financial rules among toughest in game, says SPL chief Neil Doncaster

NEW financial fair play rules adopted by the SPL are among the most stringent anywhere according to chief executive Neil Doncaster, who insists the member clubs deserve praise for agreeing to them.

Doncaster also rejected the suggestion the SPL had avoided dealing with the most pertinent current issue as resolutions which proposed fixed penalties on “newco” clubs were taken off the table at a general meeting at Hampden.

After two previous adjournments on 30 April and 7 May, the clubs did finally vote on a range of proposals relating to administration and financial management. Any club going into administration will now be deducted the greater of 10 points or one third of their SPL points total from the previous season. A transfer embargo will be imposed on any club which fails to keep up to date with their payments to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. “The sanctions for going into administration are as robust as anything south of the border, which is considered to be the highest standard of financial fair play,” said Doncaster. “For any club that had 90 points in the previous season, to be taking a 30 point penalty demonstrates unequivocally how clear our clubs are that teams must live within their means. If they fail to do so, they will be appropriately punished. This is a progressive and bold package of changes.”

It was also agreed that any decision on the transfer of a club’s SPL share to a “newco”, the prospect facing Rangers if they fail to reach a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with creditors next month, will be made by all 12 members clubs rather than the six-man SPL board.

But the threat of further fixed sanctions on any “newco” club was withdrawn.

Proposals included additional ten-point deductions for two seasons and the loss of 75 per cent of commercial revenue for three seasons but were regarded as “obsolete” by the SPL.

Doncaster denied the clubs had simply deferred the decision so as to leave open the possibility of a “newco” Rangers retaining SPL status without significant punishment. Doncaster said: “I don’t think that’s fair.

“They have come up with a comprehensive set of proposals that deals with different circumstances.

“The clubs have agreed on new rules and I hope they are applauded for them because I think they are progressive. The clubs have taken the responsibility.

“Should there be any application in the future, the clubs will deal with it and sanction appropriately. It really is important to stress that we are not anticipating a ‘newco’ at this point.

“The Rangers CVA proposal has now been sent out to creditors and we have no reason to believe that won’t be accepted.

“There is a general rule which will apply in the future in any event, relative to any club. It would give all clubs the ability to impose appropriate sanctions depending on the circumstances. If there is a ‘newco’ going forward then you can have two ways of dealing with it.

“One is to have flexibility, the other is to have fixed sanctions. The clubs have agreed that we will decide on a new application if it comes forward and will impose sanctions depending on the circumstance. That is their view and one I respect as it is very sensible.”