CLUBS EYE 14 TEAMLEAGUE
FROM BACK PAGE the top of the Championship and bottom end of the Premiership have already been sounded out this week.
Inverness chief Scot Gardiner is believed to be a driving force and clubs such as Hamilton, Dundee United and Ross County are among those sounded out about change.
Hearts are believed to favour reconstruction. The early proposal that has been discussed is no top-flight relegation and two teams automatically coming up – if the season is unable to be completed.
It’s a move that would help the Jambos as they are currently bottom of the Premiership and the shutdown has forced them to ask all their staff to take 50 per cent wage cuts.
UEFA have moved Euro 2020 back a year to give all the major leagues extra time to try to complete their outstanding fixtures.
Most of the top divisions are in lockdown in a bid to try to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The closure is causing financial headaches and questions over whether the season should be null and void or called as is if the last games can’t be fulfilled.
Nothing has been planned or put to the SPFL board and as yet there has been nothing but informal talks between clubs.
It would take exceptional circumstances to push through such changes although the spread of the coronavirus and the impact it is having all over the world could be the key.
Several clubs believe it could be the catalyst for change. The idea being that it would help several member clubs financially and would save SPFL chiefs from the financial headache of relegating Hearts if the league isn’t completed.
Dundee United are clear in the Championship and therefore would be promoted. They would be joined by another team, with Caley Thistle currently sitting in second place.
It would likely see the league split into a top six, bottom eight split, instead of the current six and six.
A major issue if the top-flight is increased is that it would leave the lower leagues two teams lighter. Another possible stumbling block is the top-flight finances would need to shared by 14 clubs and that would mean less for all teams.
All these hurdles would need to be addressed before the motion could even be tabled and then canvassed by all clubs for their support.
Scottish clubs held an emergency conference yesterday to discuss the on-going financial issues in the game caused by the coronavirus.
It included many club officials in a meeting or conference calls with administrative members of the SPFL.