SFL awaits details of SPL’s 24-club revamp plan

The Scottish Football League will take their time before forming an opinion on the SPL’s call to pursue an expansion of the top flight in Scotland as they have still to receive a detailed communication on the matter.

The Scottish Football League will take their time before forming an opinion on the SPL’s call to pursue an expansion of the top flight in Scotland as they have still to receive a detailed communication on the matter.

Details of the SPL’s plans to gazump their sixth floor Hampden neighbours by having two leagues of 12 under their control as opposed to the SFL’s all-
embracing 16-10-16 set-up, including all senior clubs, were revealed yesterday afternoon, but last night the SFL were not in a position to fully judge their merit.

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SPL operations director David Thomson said: “Neither our chief executive David Longmuir nor I have received any formal communication from the SPL about their proposals to invite our member clubs to join a new two-division set-up.

“We were made aware of it this afternoon, however it would be inappropriate to provide our thoughts until we have seen the plans on paper.”

Whilst Thomson was being diplomatic in his responses he did add: “The reports we have seen appear to involve 24 clubs whereas the stated aim of the Scottish Football League is to find a 42-club solution to the game.”

Pursuing a 42-club solution, which their own plan provides, was agreed by the SFL member clubs back in July at the meeting which also rubber-stamped Rangers’ admittance to the SFL – it was seen then as a ‘hands-off’ notice to the SPL in terms of setting up a second division.

Thomson added: “The issue is much more complex than just the size of the leagues as issues such as equitable governance, an all through distribution model, player development, stadium criteria, youth and reserve team football would all need to be considered.

“At the moment we know what our plan covers in these areas but we have no detail on how the SPL view these issues. We will make comment on the SPL plans once we know more.”

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