NO END IN SIGHT
++Lawwell dismisses dossier during EGM as Rangers lose vote ++ But Ibrox club insist SPFL leadership cannot last
CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell dismissed the Rangers dossier of evidence against the SPFL in an impassioned plea to clubs ahead of yesterday’s EGM vote.
The Ibrox club’s bid to force an independent investigation into the league’s controversial seasonending ballot was defeated, with 27 of the 42 clubs voting against, 13 for, and two abstaining.
And yesterday’s result will now more than likely see the Premiership campaign brought to a halt in line with the lower
leagues, with the Parkhead side crowned champions and Hearts relegated. It is understood that Lawwell was critical of the contents of the dossier, which Rangers had shared with clubs, and launched a stirring defence of the league body and its governance prior to the vote. Last night, Celtic welcomed the rejection of Rangers’ resolution and issued a firm backing to SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and the league’s legal adviser Rod McKenzie, who had both faced calls for their suspension by the Ibrox club. The Parkhead outfit urged warring factions to come together and focus on securing the financial survival of all clubs amid the ‘grave and unprecedented’ threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement, they said: ‘Celtic welcomes the decisive vote by SPFL clubs to reject a lawyer-led inquiry into the processes relating to the resolution approved last month with support from the vast majority of clubs. ‘We are satisfied that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the board or executive and do not consider that such an inquiry is necessary. ‘We now appeal to all clubs to look to the future in the knowledge that the threats which exist to the fabric of Scottish football are grave and unprecedented. ‘All of our energies should be applied to planning for the return of the game in season 2020-21 and to the financial survival of all our clubs. ‘This current crisis is the fault of no individual or organisation and it would be irrational to suggest otherwise. It is the duty of everyone committed to the future of our game to make the best of this awful situation, and not the worst. ‘We greatly regret the denigration of named individuals who have, on every occasion, acted upon decisions which were made by the board of the SPFL, representing all 42 clubs. ‘The board and executive of the SPFL have operated under circumstances of unique difficulty in dealing with challenges of an unprecedented nature. ‘Although Celtic are not directly involved in issues of promotion and relegation, we have great sympathy for clubs which will end up in a lower division. ‘While we have been supportive of temporary reconstruction, Celtic also understands the position of clubs who do not support league reconstruction at this time.’ Scottish football has been in lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis since March 13. But Celtic have pledged to play their part in ensuring the earliest possible safe return of the sport. The statement added: ‘We recognise the hugely-damaging effects that measures to counter the pandemic are inflicting on football clubs of all sizes across Scotland, Europe and beyond. ‘It is the duty of everyone with the interests of football at heart to work for the greater good of securing the future of our sport. ‘Our highest priority is the safety of our players and supporters and we are acutely aware that Scottish football’s current difficulties represent only a tiny part of the challenges faced by society as a whole.’