Scottish Premiership clubs decide against reconstruction of SPFL pyramid

The Scottish Premiership clubs have decided to abandon proposals to reconstruct the SPFL pyramid, concluding that “this is not the right time”.

A 14-club SPFL task force had been meeting to discuss the plans to change the current 12-10-10-10 format to a possible 14-14-14 league construction – which would have saved Partick Thistle and Stranraer from relegation to Leagues One and Two respectively.

However, with football in Scotland still suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the leagues beneath the Premiership having finished for the season, it was decided that a reconstruction is not the current priority.

After a meeting of Premiership clubs on Friday, Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said: “The strong feeling of the group was that we must focus all of our energies on emerging from the crisis we face, due to the pandemic, on getting back to playing football safely and getting fans back into grounds as soon as practicably possible.

“Whilst the group sympathises with the plight of the situation the relegated teams are faced with, it concluded that this is not the right time to consider immediate reconstruction in the midst of a crisis.

“But the group is willing to engage in and pick up on these discussions once we are through COVID-19.”

Hearts were four points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership with eight games remaining when football was suspended and, with reconstruction plans abandoned, now face being relegated to the Championship if the season is ended prematurely.

That decision now rests with the SPFL after their controversial resolution – backed by the majority of clubs – gave them the power to end the season, as they have already done with every division outside of the Premiership.

In a statement on Friday evening, Falkirk chairman Gary Deans said he “cannot accept this unfair decision by six clubs”.

Falkirk were in second in League One when the season was suspended, one point behind Raith Rovers, and they would have joined the leaders in the second tier had the 14-14-14 format been approved.

However, while Raith are set to be promoted, the scrapped plans mean Falkirk face the prospect of staying in the third tier.

Deans said: “As a club we embarked upon this process with eyes wide open and tempered optimism, hoping that the SPFL and other clubs might see the bigger picture and act in the best interests of Scottish football.

“In fairness, some did see that bigger picture and approached talks in a constructive manner – but once again progress has been hampered by the short-sightedness and self-preservation of a small cabal within Scotland’s top division.

“You will share my anger at this latest injustice, the failed promises and the general mismanagement that has occurred at the top of Scottish football for many years.

“I have already embarked upon discussions with other clubs who share my anger and we will be considering the next steps to take over the weekend. I will keep you informed as matters progress but for now the club has made it clear that we cannot support this unfair decision taken by six clubs and supported by those at the SPFL. Change is required.”

And the outcome of Sunday’s meeting means there will not yet be a route into the SPFL for Highland League winners Brora Rangers or Lowland League winners Kelty Hearts.

A statement from the Scottish Highland Football League read: “Today’s news that the current work towards SPFL League Reconstruction has been brought to an abrupt and arbitrary halt is disappointing and frustrating in equal measure.

“This year, albeit in difficult circumstances, the SPFL had its first opportunity since the introduction of the Scottish Football pyramid to meaningfully embrace the spirit of the pyramid.

“It is a matter of great regret that the SPFL has chosen to turn away from that.

“All associated with the Highland League share the undoubted disenchantment that will be felt by Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts.”

(c) Sky Sports 2020: Scottish Premiership clubs decide against reconstruction of SPFL pyramid