Livingston insist they voted for investigation – but not suspensions
LIVINGSTON chiefs have revealed they voted for an independent investigation into the SPFL resolution vote following Dundee’s decision change – but insist they never called for Neil Doncaster’s suspension.
Livi voted in favour of an independent investigation, though it was not passed as the majority of the 42 member clubs voted against, meaning clubs could not secure the percentage needed to push the probe through.
The Lions explained that an investigation, they feel, would have helped “break barriers” currently in place due to divisions between clubs and the governing body. But they explained that they were not seeking the suspension of Doncaster or SPFL legal adviser Rod McKenzie, as Rangers had previously done.
The statement read: “Livingston Football Club would like to inform our fans of the reasons why we felt it appropriate to vote for an independent investigation, primarily into the process and governance issues that came to the forefront over the last three to four weeks.
“We would also like to emphasise that we were not calling for any resignations or suspensions whilst fully supportive of a thorough independent investigation.
“This has mainly stemmed from trust issues that have arisen and grown since the ‘missing’ Dundee vote.
“Subsequent verbal disagreements that have been played out in the media, this division between clubs has created barriers that we need to try to heal at the earliest opportunity.
“We feel an investigation would have been the first hurdle in a process that would hopefully bring everyone back on the same page. When finished, and with clarity provided, this would allow us all to get on with the task in hand which is saving our football clubs with collective action.
“An investigation into the processes and procedures surrounding and emerging from this vote, we felt, was paramount to offer a level of transparency which would hopefully allow us all to move forward in tandem.”
The Premiership club also confirmed their disappointment at the breakdown in discussions over potential league reconstruction, insisting the prospect did not get the “respect it deserved” and was not seriously considered for long enough.
The statement continued: “It was widely believed that serious dialogue would take place concerning league reconstruction. The joint response group put a massive amount of time and energy into this process and we felt it didn’t receive the respect it so deserved.
“In our opinion it was far too briskly dealt with. We voted for the resolution on the understanding that league reconstruction was a distinct possibility but very early in the process it became apparent this was never going to get off the ground. This disappointed us.
“It is our firm belief that no team in Scotland should be adversely affected by the coronavirus crisis that we find ourselves in. It’s simply unbelievable that, on top of the challenges we face, we see fellow teams finding themselves relegated while others are adversely affected via being unable to compete for promotion.”