Talks held on SPL restructure

The Scottish Premier League are today holding another meeting to discuss changing the structure of the competition, but no vote on the subject is imminent.

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster has been researching the impact of league reconstruction for more than a year and hopes to present options to the 12 clubs before the end of December.

Topics on the agenda include the number of clubs in the top flight and fixture dates.

A 14-team league which retains a split has been mooted along with a 16-strong division, although clubs are unlikely to dilute their television income too much by allowing a significant increase in numbers.

Eleven of the 12 clubs have to vote in favour of any changes when a decision is finally made.

Renewed debate over the league structure has been prompted by increasing frustration over performances in Europe, the size of broadcasting income and the inequities caused by the league splitting into two after 33 games.

An SPL spokeswoman said today: "It's one in a very long, long line of meetings on this subject.

"There have been many meetings on potential changes over the past year or so.

"In terms of decisions being made, we are still quite a bit off anything being brought in front of the clubs to vote on.

"Neil has said previously that he hopes a decision can be made by the end of the calendar year and that's still the timeframe."

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain issued a stark warning to his SPL colleagues this week that Scottish football is in dire need of change.

He told shareholders at the club's annual general meeting: "I do believe that change will come, but we are probably only at the start of the process.

"For the overall growth of our national game, there really has to be radical change but the complexities of numerous clubs, stakeholders, governing bodies and our footballing structure make this extremely difficult and challenging.

"In saying that, there have been many constructive and balanced discussions of late and I fervently hope these will ultimately produce findings and recommendations for radical solutions rather than a tinkering around the edges."

Bain added: "In the past, the footballing authorities in Scotland have perhaps taken too much of a parochial attitude to such initiatives as domestic league and competition structures, but we cannot afford to do that now.

"We must lift up our eyes and think within a European context and how we can further participate or there is a real risk of the reputation of our league diminishing in Europe."