THE NATION ADDRESS
new season and when football might recommence. “But the messages from the league have always tried to be as factual as possible and
unfortunately they have had to be robust as well.”
Stewart Robertson says Rangers have never accused anyone at SPFL of bullying?
ND
“I have certainly seen various statements on the Rangers website that refer to bullying and coercion.”
If the SPFL board were to pursue Stewart Robertson over breaching confidential details what could happen as a consequence? ND
“I don’t want to speculate about that. That’s an issue for another day. And ahead of the EGM I don’t think that would be particularly helpful. That
really isn’t something I feel I can go into.”
What did you actually make of the Rangers dossier?
ND
“Given the extremely strong allegations made I was probably as surprised as everyone else when it seemed to be largely around procedure. “To me, having been so strong in their criticism of the league and making allegations that were extremely robust and calling for the suspension of me and Rod McKenzie, you assume that there is going to be evidence in the dossier that is very damning – justifying calls for very senior employees to be suspended. And it simply wasn’t there.”
Partick described the fact they were informed of league reconstruction collapsing through the media as a “disgrace”. Should that courtesy have been extended to them? ND
“Bear in mind that wasn’t a meeting of the SPFL on Friday. It was a meeting of the Premiership clubs and we were not part of that. I was hearing second hand what apparently had been discussed on that call just as everyone else was.
“It was not within the SPFL’s power to make an announcement because we didn’t know. It appears info from that meeting has been leaked. But that is not something within the gift of the SPFL.”
There have been a few clubs clearly unhappy with the tone of SPFL communications, saying they’ve been disdainful and offensive. What’s your reaction to that?
ND
“I think you can always improve on communications. Those of you who have worked with me and Iain Blair over the years know just how helpful we try to be to our member clubs. That is our modus operandi.
“We are here to serve the clubs so it is clearly regrettable if people feel they haven’t had the respect they are entitled to as members.
“But I can only speak for myself and members of my team trying to serve clubs as well as they can.
“We have a small team but we try to respond as quickly and courteously as we can to all requests and all enquiries we have from all 42 clubs.
“Of course, you can look at things you might have done better. But I believe we try to extend appropriate courtesy to every one of our members and everyone else as well.”
Should clubs have been told about the potential for a £10m liability by ending the season?
ND
“This whole suggestion is a bit of a red herring. Any liability that any league may face from season 2019/20 arises from not being able to play games. It’s got nothing to do with the resolution. The way in which you draw a line under the season – which is what the resolution was aimed to do – is entirely irrelevant to any claims that you may face from anyone in respect of not being able to play games. That’s caused by Covid-19, the government order.”
Some clubs argue they should have been given all of the information to make a more informed decision. ND
“Playing games is not an option. It’s about how you respond to that. If you can’t play games, that’s what creates any liability. So it is a red herring. Some people may find it a fine distinction but it’s just not.”
Did you suggest that Sky be given the Premiership naming rights?
ND
“I’m not going to be drawn on that and reveal the detail of commercial conversations we had with our broadcasters and sponsors.
“That isn’t something we can put into the public domain – and it’s disappointing that there has been an attempt to try to put private discussions, and commercially sensitive discussions, into the public domain. That can’t do anything to help the league, and therefore help the 42 member clubs.”
Did you look at what the liability would be for declaring the season null and void?
ND
“It’s commonly recognised that having a null and void season would leave us and the clubs open to a wide range of liabilities.
“So I don’t think null and void was ever a realistic possibility, therefore the board needed to suggest a way forward which dealt with the situation whereby we couldn’t play the games but equally we couldn’t declare the season null and void.
“The board felt the fairest way was points per game. It’s interesting that the French – a top league – has done just that.”
Does this need to be resolved by May 25? ND
“That’s exactly the date that UEFA have asked for leagues to let them know if they are going to try and play their remaining games of season 2019-20 or whether they cannot. They need to plan for their own competitions as their prime interest, and they need to know which clubs are going to be in the European places.”
Rangers highlighted a letter sent to UEFA from yourself and SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell before the vote. I suppose you’ll say you were only picking up on the mood at the time?
ND
“I don’t think it was so much the mood we were picking up on – it’s what we were being told by clubs.
“Clubs were telling us they needed clarity and they needed certainty. They needed to take action if the line was going to be drawn under the season. They needed to cauterise the wound, to turn off the tap and stop unnecessary outgoings. They were telling us in large numbers they wanted a line drawn under the season.
“All the letter to UEFA was, from myself and Ian Maxwell, was a reflection of what clubs were telling us.
“We didn’t say all clubs, we said the large majority of clubs, and I stand by that view which I held at the time. I think it was the right view and it was reflected in over 80 percent of clubs in the league agreeing with the resolution.”
Is there a conflation of clubs being unhappy with the league and clubs simply being unhappy about relegation or not winning a title etc?
ND
“When you are running a sporting competition when there are winners and losers people are unhappy. Recommendations and resolutions that are passed for the good of the game as a whole may not always suit individual clubs and that’s an unfortunate reality of a members’ association. What is in the best interests of clubs and the league overall? That’s what we’ve always sought to do.
“You won’t get everyone agreeing all the time, that’s inevitable. If you look at any league in the world there will always be people who disagree with individual decisions which are made. But the decisions are always made in the best interest of the 42 clubs as a whole.”
Do you have any response to the ICT statement?
ND
“I don’t think there is anything I can say about that which would be helpful.”