SFL to work with taxman and clubs

THE Scottish Football League has put in place an early warning system to highlight clubs who are having difficulties paying their tax bills. The decision has been taken with the member clubs and HM Revenue and Customs following a spate of problems, with clubs going into administration, resulting in staff losing their jobs, points being deducted and clubs relegated as punishment.

SFL chief executive David Longmuir unveiled the new measures at yesterday's Supporters Direct Conference at Hampden, saying clubs had signed up to allow HMRC to advise the SFL if any member clubs were defaulting. He said there would be little the football authorities could do to bail them out but the league would be better placed to deal with the consequences.