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Rangers set to remain bottom tier in 12-12-18 plan


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Scottish Football League clubs have been asked to indicate by the close of play on Tuesday their preference for the composition of proposed reconstructed divisions.

With a format of two top tiers of 12 clubs, which split into three leagues of eight mid-season, on the table for the upper end, it has been left to SFL sides to determine the make-up of the lower end of the structure.

Clubs have been asked to state whether they would prefer a third tier of 18 clubs, or the continuation of two bottom leagues of 10.

The latter plan would see two new teams invited into the new league setup, with the possibility remaining of two clubs being asked to enter "Colt" sides into the league.

STV understands there remains opposition within the SFL to the Colt idea, with a preference to see current non-league sides given the chance to be awarded a place in the league.

An announcement on the preference of SFL clubs is not expected until later in the week.

The league is yet to state when its members will hold a final vote on whether to press ahead with reconstruction plans.

Clubs have received a draft copy of the proposed rulebook for the Scottish Professional Football League, although representatives of all 30 sides are yet to formally meet to discuss its contents and no date has been set for talks.

Twenty-two of 29 SFL sides, excluding Rangers, must be passed for the reconstruction plans to go ahead.

The SPL, who require an 11-1 vote of its members, have announced they will have their deciding vote on April 15.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/airdrie-united/217323-scottish-football-league-clubs-to-decide-on-18-team-or-10-10-bottom-tier/

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Clubs bidding for promotion to Scottish football's top flight would not be required to have any seated areas in their stadiums under league reconstruction plans.

STV has seen a draft copy of the rulebook for the proposed Scottish Professional Football League, which would see all 42 senior clubs come under one league body.

At present, clubs participating in the Scottish Premier League are required to have a minimum of 6,000 seats, with standing not permitted.

The proposed rules will instead see teams playing in the top two tiers of the SPFL needing only to meet Scottish FA Bronze club licensing criteria, which calls for a minimum of "500 covered places".

It is stated those areas "may be seats and standing", with an "adequate level of cover available for both home and away spectators".

From the third tier down, clubs are required only to provide 100 "covered places". It is understood the matter is still up for discussion, but has been included in the draft of the rulebook.

At the formation of the Scottish Premier League in 1998, member clubs were required to play in stadiums with a minimum seated capacity of 10,000.

Falkirk were denied promotion to the top flight in 2003 after Brockville was deemed not suitable, with the league board blocking an attempt to groundshare with Airdrie United.

The minimum requirement was reduced to 6,000 seats in 2005/06, allowing Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who had to groundshare with Aberdeen the season previous, to upgrade their ground to meet the new rule.

Further rule modifications

The rulebook covers the eventuality of a 12-12-18 league setup, although SFL clubs could yet vote to split the bottom tier into two divisions of 10, with two new teams invited into the league.

Concerns have been raised over the viability of teams in both the Premiership and Championship completing 22 league games each before the winter break, after which the top two divisions split into three leagues of eight.

Rules state it will not be a requirement for all fixtures to be completed pre-split in the eventuality of postponements, provided the outstanding matches can have no bearing on the qualification of teams for any of the three post-split groups.

No trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Championship, the proposed second tier, with the rulebook noting it is not possible to give a trophy after 22 games.

As has been previously stated, clubs going into administration will be subject to an immediate 10 point deduction. A further five points will be removed from their tally at a point where it can be "most effectively applied" and "be a meaningful sanction in competition terms".

Clubs going into administration during the close season will start the new campaign on minus 15 points.

It is also noted that parachute payments will be paid to clubs who drop out of the SPFL into a proposed SFA pyramid league, which is not expected to be formed for another two years.

In the event of clubs being relegated out of the bottom tier, they will be given £40,000 for their first season out of the SPFL, and £20,000 in the second, unless they return to the league.

The board of the SPFL will consist of a chairman, a chief executive, a non-executive director, three representatives from the Premiership, two members from clubs in the Championship and one person from a team in the third tier.

Timescale

SPL clubs will vote on April 15 whether to adopt the new rulebook and merge with the SFL. A 11-1 vote of members is required.

SFL teams are yet to decide when they will hold their vote, although STV understands it will also be held in April. 22 of 29 member clubs, excluding Rangers, must vote in favour for the plans to be approved

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Scottish Football League clubs are being asked to consider allowing 'colt teams' from Celtic and Rangers to join a new 12-12-10-10 divisional set-up.

Chief executive David Longmuir suggests in a document sent to all 30 SFL outfits that the colts would operate separately from the 'parent' clubs.

He is influenced by the prospect of the Old Firm leaving Scotland behind.

And he says "both clubs have intimated their desire to be considered as part of this strategy".

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21763900

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