Courts pass SPFL legal battle back

THE LEGAL case against the SPFL brought to the Court of Session by Hearts and Partick Thistle is to be arbitrated by the Scottish FA, the court has ruled.

Lord Clark, who presided over proceedings in Edinburgh, rejected the request put forward by Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers’ representative for the case to be dismissed altogether.

But Lord Clark ruled that the matter must be decided by the SFA’s judicial panel, as per the SPFL articles of association, citing Article 99 which states that members cannot raise legal proceedings without the permission of the SFA.

David Thomson QC, representing the two relegated clubs, unsuccessfully argued against this but Lord Clark ruled in favour of Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers and the SPFL.

The judge revealed his expectation that the matter will be resolved before the Premiership restarts on August 1, leaving the SFA with around four weeks to settle the dispute.

However, the arbitration process will be independent from the national association, with a three-person judicial panel overseeing the process.

In addition, Lord Clark granted the motion from Hearts/Partick Thistle for documents related to the dispute to be uncovered before the case is heard by the independent panel, arguing that the tribunal should be given full and proper disclosure.

Both Hearts and Thistle believe the controversy surrounding Dundee’s vote to end the 2019/20 season requires further scrutiny – something the pair hope will occur during the SFA’s arbitration process.

Upon hearing Lord Clark’s decision, the SPFL released a statement which read: “We welcome today’s decision at the Court of Session that this case should be dealt with under the Scottish FA’s arbitration process. We will now prepare for the Scottish FA arbitration.”

Hearts and Thistle released a joint statement, expressing their relief in securing the release of the documents.