Doncaster’s priority should have been protecting clubs during the Covid crisis
SPFL’S role
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said he is “looking forward” to seeing Hearts owner Ann Budge’s latest plans for league reconstruction. The last proposal was rejected by Premiership clubs earlier this month and, as things stand, Hearts will be relegated to the Championship.
Why didn’t Doncaster, as the head of the SPFL, recommend to all clubs that they approve reconstruction and that way no club would be unnecessarily punished due to the season being shortened due to Covid-19? Doncaster’s position is to protect all clubs within the
SPFL equally. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer that reconstruction would aid in the further advancement of the league and help every club through this unprecedented time. No club should be penalised or relegated from a division if the season is incomplete due to circumstances beyond their control.
The Piper
The clubs are the owners and masters of the SPFL. It’s a democratic organisation. Each club has one vote. The Articles set out the rules. Doncaster does what he’s told. Ann Budge will present proposals for reconstruction and she will need to get support from 75 per cent of the Premiership clubs, i.e. Hearts plus eight others. Her proposals will make SPFL clubs poorer as they’ll have to share the TV money with others.
Her proposal will fail.
Luggie
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Hearts’ fresh start
St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick, pictured, says Hearts deserve to go down. He claims they would not have been able to turn things around even if they had been allowed to play the final eight matches of the season.
I have no argument about Hearts being bottom. Hearts had five very good results all season. Apart from that we were not good enough. Others want to go to court. That is their choice.
For my part, as I have said, I would use the relegation as a starting point to a new future.
It depends on the Foundation of Hearts and season ticket holders.
If 8,000-plus members stick with the Foundation and Hearts can sell 14,000plus season tickets per season, we can make a new structure work.
Ron Delnevo