Bigger than BOSMAN
Consequences of arbitration ruling could be felt for years says Neil
FORMER Hearts winger Neil McCann believes the outcome of the arbitration tribunal deciding his old club’s fate could be bigger than the Bosman ruling.
A three-person panel has been hearing evidence this week in order to determine whether the Jambos and fellow petitioners Partick Thistle should have their relegation overturned.
They fell through the Premiership and Championship trapdoor respectively after SPFL clubs voted to end the season early due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Controversy surrounded the result of that vote, with Dundee being able to change their mind despite having already submitted a vote against the resolution.
And McCann, who also played for the Dark Blues and Rangers, believes the consequences could be as game changing as the Bosman ruling in 1995, which allowed players to move at the end of contracts for no transfer fee.
McCann said: “It’s ridiculous to think that we could start the season and this case is going on and then find out that it’s found in Hearts and Partick’s favour.
“Do you just erase games that you’ve played?
“That’s just going to cause an absolute powder keg of a situation.
“Where we are in the world right now, there’s lots of unheard of things happening.
“Because this has gone to arbitration, they’re not looking at it with a football mind.
“There’s a total legal structure of the case and arguments and I think a lot of it is hinging on the Dundee change of vote.
“It raises its head again and again and that could have a huge bearing on how this is made fair or lawful. “I remember when Bosman broke into football. It was ground breaking and it changed the face of football. It was huge. “I just wonder whether we’re standing in a situation right now where the arbitration tribunal could find in Hearts and Partick’s favour. And blow the lid off it. “Then where does it go after that?”
It’s ridiculous we could start the season with this still going on
NEIL McCANN ON CASE