WHO’S THE GREATEST? DAY NINE OF OUR PAGES 4-5 PREMIER XI

Thistle join Hearts’ legal action against the SPFL

PARTICK THISTLE last night joined forces with Hearts to launch a legal fight against the SPFL. The Firhill club previously revealed they would not be taking the league governing body to court due to the financial constraints of the process.

But after an “extremely generous offer of unexpected help”, Thistle have performed a dramatic U-turn.

In a club statement Thistle chair Jacqui Low told how an anonymous donor offered to pay the legal fees to ensure the Maryhill side have the best possible chance of remaining in the Championship.

After talks with Hearts chief Anne Budge, Low also announced that both relegated clubs will unite in one final battle to try to ensure their safety from the drop.

A Thistle statement read: “Yesterday, we said that court action was our preferred route to challenging our relegation to League 1.

“It was only a lack of funding that stopped us. At that time, we reserved the right to change our position should circumstances change.

“Last night, in response to our statement, we received a proposal to fully fund legal action should we wish to pursue it, at no cost to Thistle.

“After careful board consideration, we have now accepted this extremely generous offer of unexpected help.

“Today, following discussions with Hearts, we have agreed that we will launch a joint legal challenge to resolve what others have failed to do since April.

“To those who think we should just move on and accept what’s been dished out to us, yesterday 26 clubs put themselves first. Today, we have now been given the opportunity to do the same.

“Chairman Jacqui Low on behalf of the Board of Partick Thistle FC.”

Hearts launched legal proceedings against the SPFL on Monday after plans for league reconstruction were rejected.

The Tynecastle club were four points adrift of Hamilton at the bottom of the Premiership table with eight games remaining when football was halted due to the coronavirus crisis.

The SPFL offered to examine the possibility of reconstruction following the controversial vote to curtail the season early.

But 26 of the 42 senior clubs opposed a change from the 1210-10-10 set-up to a 14-10-1010 league structure – meaning Hearts were ultimately relegated to the Championship.