The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Deadline set for defence
Dundee United have been given a deadline of 5pm tomorrow night to defend themselves against the legal action that threatens their promotion to the Premiership, writes Ian
Roache.
That is the time by which the defence has to respond to the Court of Session case that has been brought by Hearts and Partick Thistle against the SPFL, which seeks to halt their respective relegations.
It is a tight framework to say the least but the Tangerines, League One champions
Raith Rovers and League Two winners Cove Rangers, who have all been embroiled in the action, have vowed to launch a robust defence.
A court official yesterday confirmed the tomorrow teatime deadline has been set and that if answers to the action were lodged by the court then the parties (Hearts and Thistle) would have to seek a further legal order, which would determine how the action would proceed.
The case has been brought because of a resolution that was passed by the majority of the 42 SPFL member clubs in April.
It decided final placings in the Championship and the other two divisions on a points-per-game basis.
The resolution also gave the SPFL board the power to take the same action in the Premiership, which they subsequently did.
Thereafter, a proposal to reconstruct the leagues to a 14-10-10-10 structure was rejected by member clubs.
In the court papers, which have been seen by Courier Sport, the lawyers’ action for the Jam Tarts and Thistle stresses the need for a quick resolution because of the threat of fixtures being produced for the new campaign – the Premiership is due to start on August 1 – without their names included in the top flight and Championship respectively.
They are asking for an interim interdict to prevent such a restart, threatening the Premiership’s lucrative new broadcast deal with Sky Sports.
The papers also confirm that Hearts are seeking £8 million in compensation for any relegations, while Partick want £2m.
If the two clubs win they will also seek costs and expenses from United, Raith and Cove as respondents, as well as the SPFL.
The papers reveal: “An order finding the company (SPFL) and any other respondent opposing the terms of this petition jointly and severally liable to the petitioners in the expenses occasioned by this petition.”
Of particular interest to United fans will be the section that argues the case to keep them down.
It reads: “That prior to the purported approval of the written resolution (to end the season), the first petitioner (Hearts) could only be relegated in the event that it occupied league position 12 at the end of 38 league matches played by it in the Premiership.
“The second petitioner (Partick) and Stranraer FC could only be relegated in the event that they occupied league positions 22 and 32, respectively, at the end of the season.
“Equally, member clubs were entitled to be promoted if they occupied positions 13 (United), 23 (Raith) and 33 (Cove) in the league at the end of the season (and not otherwise).
“The effect of the written resolution was (i) to remove from the petitioners and Stranraer FC rights to which they would otherwise have been entitled in accordance with the articles and rules; and (ii) to grant to member clubs in league positions in positions 13, 23 and 33 rights to which they would not otherwise have been entitled.
“The removal and grant of rights in that manner was contrary to the way in which members had agreed that the league would operate. It was unfair and arbitrary.”