Doncaster vows to fight Scottish corner as European rule talk grows
NEIL DONCASTER believes the prospect of Scottish clubs being denied access to any revamped Champions League would “damage the very fabric of the game in this country”.
The SPFL chief executive said defending Scottish interests in the face of a potential breakaway European league – as proposed by some of the continent’s elite clubs – remains “very high up on the agenda”.
Doncaster believes the picture will crystallise by the end of the year and will continue to make the Scottish case amid talk of clubs from smaller nations being squeezed out.
“This is certainly very high up on our agenda because it is fundamental to the game in country,” he said.
“Part of the attraction of winning the domestic trophy is that it gives you access to that European competition.
“That’s important in terms of prestige and money and your standing in the game. If that route is closed off or becomes this much more difficult then it damages the very fabric of the game.
“Conversations are ongoing. We’ve have a lot of dialogue below the radar. The ECA [European Club Association] and the EPFL [European Professional Football Leagues] have had extensive dialogue with those who will be making the decision and it’s important that we do what we can to avoid that damage occurring to the game.
“It’s important that we continue to fight the fight and ensure we do all we can to minimise the risks, and they are significant risks – if that were to occur. It’s important that everyone knows we are doing all that we can to minimise the risk of significant harm happening to the game in this country and in other leagues. I would imagine we’ll have clarity by the end of the calendar year.”
Doncaster was speaking after the governing body’s AGM at Hampden, at which Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive, Hearts chairwoman Ann Budge, Ian Maxwell of Partick Thistle, Hibernian’s Leeann Dempster, Eric Drysdale of Raith Rovers and Ken Ferguson of Brechin City were elected on to the SPFL board.
“While continuity is important, it’s also important to refresh the board and there’s no doubt that I think we will benefit from the new ideas and new approach that Ann Budge, Leeann Dempster, Peter Lawwell and Ian Maxwell will all bring in their Thursday, 21st July, 2016