Premier play-off is here for good
Neil Doncaster insists the Premiership play-off format will stay in place for at least four more seasons – unless the top flight’s turkeys vote for Christmas.
Demands for a change in the set-up were raised by Championship clubs at the league’s agm on Wednesday but were dismissed by the selfpreservation society.
The lower-league sides feel the play-offs heavily favour the side finishing second bottom of the Premiership, with the Championship teams potentially playing six games to their two.
There have also been suggestions of making the final a one-off game at a neutral venue.
However, SPFL chief executive Doncaster said: “The creation of the play- of fs were an important part of the deal that led to the league merger in 2013 and the redistribution of wealth from the Premiership to the Championship.
“The two-legged final was also part of the deal. But you have to be open minded about how you can improve anything.
“We sold the rights of the play-offs until 2020.
“Attendances are up which is great thanks to 300,000 fans coming to watch the play-offs in the last three years.”
Doncaster welcomed Rangers into the top flight and insisted that despite a degree of suffering, the game has survived the Ibrox side’s four-year absence well.
He said: “Financial damage has affected a number of clubs as a result of what happened in 2012. But the game has healed remarkably well.
“That’s down to the robustness of the game, the fans and the clubs who deserve credit for pulling together.”
Doncaster brushed off criticism of the ‘fixture holiday’ which saw Celtic unveil the league flag before a Champions League clash with Lincoln Red Imps. They were scheduled to do so in the SPFL on August 13 but will play Inter Milan in Limerick instead.
He said: “Celtic will play alongside some big names. That reflects well on our league.”
Meanwhile, figures released show 4.18 million supporters attended 860 games last season – up from 4.12m in 2014/15.