Our vote had nothing to do with Rangers, insist Aberdeen

Dave Cormack explains why Dons voted in favour of an independent investigation into SPFL

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack.

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has sought to explain why his club voted in favour of an independent investigation into the SPFL.

The Dons’ decision to side with the resolution brought about by Rangers, Hearts and Stranraer annoyed some supporters of the Pittodrie club.

Aberdeen were one of four Premiership teams to back the resolution which was resoundingly defeated in a ballot of all 42 SPFL clubs across the four divisions.

It drew just 13 of the 32 votes needed to pass. There were 27 votes against and two clubs abstained.

Cormack said concerns over “governance and transparency” were the drivers behind Aberdeen’s decision.

In a statement, the Dons chairman said: “Our decision to vote for today’s resolution had nothing to do with Rangers, or Hearts and Stranraer for that matter. It had everything to do with Aberdeen Football Club and our real concerns over governance and transparency of our game, in particular with the SPFL leadership.

“We believe that the objective assessment of recent events, an independent inquiry would have provided, was the best way of reaching a position from which everyone involved could move forward. But with 31 per cent of clubs voting for the resolution plus two abstentions, it’s clear there is much work to be done between the SPFL and member clubs.

“We’ve been on a crusade at AFC to dramatically improve fan engagement and being transparent with our fans, letting them know exactly what the club is facing and what’s behind our decisions, is central to this. We expect and deserve the same transparency from the SPFL. Our hope is that the SPFL will reflect on the vote and look seriously at how governance and transparency can be improved for the benefit of all its members and in the interests of Scottish football, which is facing a crisis unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before.

“We do however respect the outcome and will continue to work collaboratively with the SPFL and all clubs in a determined and focused drive to get back to playing football, safely, and as soon as we possibly can.”

Rangers had joined with Hearts and Stranraer to force a general meeting on the back of a controversial and drawn-out vote which ended the lower-league season last month and handed the SPFL board the power to do likewise for the Ladbrokes Premiership.

However, for an independent inquiry into the SPFL to be held, the resolution required 75 per cent of clubs to vote in favour.

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