Inverness and Pars were in full support of 14-10-10-10

Dunfermline Athletic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle have both confirmed they backed plans to prevent Hearts from suffering relegation.

Only 16 of the 42 SPFL member clubs supported permanent league reconstruction to a 14-10-10-10 structure, which would have seen Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts promoted into the league as Highland and Lowland League champions, while keeping Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer in the Premiership, Championship and League 1 respectively.

ICT were one of the teams to back league reconstruction. Chairman Ross Morrison said: “We have consistently advocated that no club should suffer any additional hardship due to Covid-19. We never wavered in this view but we live in a democracy and as the body of the kirk did not agree with us, we have to abide by the decision of the majority. We feel we can hold our heads up in the knowledge that we tried to do the right thing.”

Meanwhile, Dunfermline chairman Ross Mcarthur railed against media reports that the Pars had voted against league reconstruction, insisting they have tried to support Hearts and Ann Budge as much as they could.

“Once again, it is very disappointing that our club appears to have been targeted by those who wish to spread misinformation on social media,” he said. “This has resulted in a number of things happening today which are extremely regrettable.

“The DAFC Board were unanimous in voting in favour of both of the recent resolutions relating to reconstruction. We stated that we would support Ann Budge’s plan to increase the Premiership to 14 clubs, but the idea of having a 14-10-10-10 split would also allow the pyramid to be maintained, to allow our friends at Kelty Hearts, along with Brora Rangers to join the SPFL.

“It was our view that this would provide the most equitable resolution to the issue of promotion and relegation, in the best interests of Scottish football.”