Financial blow for Scottish football's restructure plan

[UCF2008 0]

Did the SPL actually enact that whole "you lose one third of your points from the previous season" thing ?

 

Yes they voted that one through. SPL clubs going into admin will receive the greater of a 10pt deduction or one third of the previous seasons points total.

 

Since the proposed fixed penalties weren't voted through for newco cases, those will be dealt with on a case by case basis with the clubs voting as they did in our case.

[pete 2,499]

Can't see how reconstruction would save Dundee utd. Must be something we don't know why Thompson is so keen to get this vote through.

 

He will be thrown out of the Intae Rangers Association

[ian1964 10,429]

SFA chief Stewart Regan urges SPL & SFL clubs to 'seize the moment' and welcome league reconstruction

11 Apr 2013 07:26

 

REGAN says the new 12-12-18 proposals are for the good of the game but he needs votes from both league bodies next week to bring them into action.

 

 

 

STEWART REGAN has urged SPL and SFL clubs to “seize the moment” and ride the winds of change to spark a Scottish football revolution.

 

The SFA chief is awaiting the votes from both league bodies next week which will determine whether a new 12-12-18 reform is passed.

 

At this stage it’s still in the balance with St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour already revealing his club will vote against the plan.

 

That leaves the SPL needing the other 11 to say yes but Ross County are also reported to be unsure while the SFL appear split down the middle ahead of their big decision.

 

Regan, though, has told the doubters change is needed at a critical time for our game.

 

He said: “There are so many

variables and it’s not perfect but the plans are the best we’ve had for a long time and we’re closer than ever. We need to seize the moment. There’s a wind of change and we should try to harness it and move forward.

 

“If we don’t move forward then further stagnation happens.

 

“The SFA have chaired, through the professional game board, a number of meetings of the two bodies. From time to time we’ve made good progress and then, like shifting sands, it has moved again.

 

EXCITING

 

“Where we are right now is that we’re providing some financial due diligence to both sets of clubs through their respective league bodies to give a clear picture on the financial health of what a combined organisation would look like.

 

“Once clubs have that information it’s then up to them to come up with a way forward. The Premier League will vote first on Monday.

 

“Like you, we are aware of the speculation that two clubs are uncomfortable about it.

 

“If they decide to vote positively then no doubt the Scottish League will move forward with their vote on April 19.

 

“We have said from the outset that Scottish football is in need of urgent and radical change.

 

“Why? Because we need a

competitive product which is not only exciting for fans but also tries to restore some balance in financial terms between clubs at the top and those further down the league, particularly in the First Division.

 

“We’ve worked on the premise that there are five principles we wanted to get in place. We wanted a single league body, a redistribution of finances, the introduction of

play-offs, parachute payments and a pyramid system to help ambitious clubs rise up through the game.

 

“They very much remain en vogue and on our radar. But we don’t run league football and the clubs have to decide how they are structured.

 

“If it doesn’t go ahead then it will be up to the two league bodies to decide what happens next.”

 

Regan understands the stance of some clubs and admits they have a right to make choices to their own ends. St Mirren have been accused of self-interest but the SFA chief said: “In 30 SFL and 12 SPL boardrooms there are different issues at stake.

 

“On one hand you have clubs who are desperately in need of new income, particularly First Division teams who want to grow but don’t have the money.

 

“There are clubs near to relegation and there are others who see this is as a way to protect the future. The option to carry on as we are, though, is rapidly disappearing. There is a recognition from the leagues and all the clubs that we need to change.

 

“We have to work on the basis that there’s a momentum building up for change. There are chairmen at clubs who have put money in and there are family businesses too.

 

“Individuals running those clubs are concerned about their own financial futures and I can see that. Pumping millions into a club and keeping it propped up without any long-term vision is not a clever place to be.

 

“What we have to do is bring parties together and we can’t agree on a perfect structure, one that will satisfy all 42 clubs.

 

“But there’s a recognition that one league body, better redistribution of money, a pyramid system, etc should now come in.

 

“The top clubs have said they need stronger teams to compete against and that’s a change.

 

LANDSCAPE

 

“They are willing to give money up to make things better.

 

“The big question is what does the detail look like and that is what we are struggling with.

 

“There are strong opinions on this but my own view is that, if you look at the last 100 years, no structure stays forever. It always changes with the market and the landscape but it’s more likely with a single league structure, one board and one set of rules.

 

“Trying to do it from the position we’re in now is really challenging.

 

“There are so many stakeholders with so many agendas.

 

“I do understand that, though, as this is these guys’ businesses.

 

“Ultimately clubs will decide on what they feel they are getting out of the proposals.

 

“What we have said – and the discussions at the professional game board back this up – is that there is a lot of progress towards our five principles.

 

“Making that first step to base camp could be a positive one and the restructure might deliver some fantastic benefits.

 

“Until it’s given the chance, we can only speculate.”

 

Regan knows this latest plan could fall through but is adamant forward-thinking individuals will never give up trying to improve the product if it does.

 

Speaking at the SoccerEx European Football Forum, he refuted now-or-never talk by adding: “The last few years have proved there are individuals keen to modernise and change.

 

“I want to modernise and improve. League reconstruction is a key item of the McLeish report and one of the big-ticket items that has not been delivered.

 

“It’s important to me and I will work to keep it on the agenda.

 

“If it doesn’t happen I don’t think it will go away. There is still a willingness to keep moving.

 

“The proposal is one the leagues are keen to push forward and encourage everyone to go with them.

 

“We have to help with information, support and resources to get clubs together. We’ll carry on doing that.”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stewart-regan-urges-spl-sfl-1823471

[pete 2,499]

So where is this radical change? Same teams. Same muppets running the game. Just a change in structure that has failed in other countries and the paying fans are dreading.

[der Berliner 3,267]

As Walter pointed out, changing the menue for the spectator does not change the quality of football. Using a convoluted plan will be of no help either.

 

There's only one reason why the SPL is on the warpath: they and theirs have not a year left to wait for reconstruction, as opposed to 98% of the SFL clubs. It borders to the pathetic that the papers don't mention this.

[ian1964 10,429]

Lifted from FF:

 

It is becoming apparent that the takeover of "Oldco" may have involved criminal activity.

 

Under SPL rules this is covered by Force Majeure (as detailed below).

 

 

A6.13 A Club may appeal against a deduction of points in terms of Rule A6.8 or A6.9 on the grounds that:-

A6.13.1 It has not taken, suffered or been subject to an Insolvency Event or Insolvency Process;

A6.13.2 The Insolvency Event which gave rise to the points deduction, against which an appeal is taken, is part of an Insolvency Process and that the Club has already been subject to a points deduction in relation to an earlier Insolvency Event in the same Insolvency Process in or for the same Season;

A6.13.3 Rule A6.12 applies; or,

A6.13.4 The Insolvency Event or Insolvency Process, which gave rise to such points deduction, arose as a result of a Force Majeure Event.

 

 

 

So if any criminality is involved, the SPL / SFA sanctions/embargoes & fines would be deemed illegal."Oldco" shareholders would have a case for suing the SFA / SPL for lose of revenue etc.

 

It is my opinion that the SFA / SPL are desperate to force reconstruction through to allow them to "Newco" & thereby avoid any legal action by "Oldco" shareholders.

 

I would propose that the fighting fund money be used to seek an injunction against reconstruction, until completion of the various criminal investigations, to ensure that the SFA / SPL cannot "Newco" & thereby negate their responsibility to "Oldco" shareholders.

 

It will also focus the minds of the media here to start asking pertinent questions.

 

[bigy 0]

Would Lord Nimmo-Smith rule on any appeal?

[Bluedell 5,348]

Lifted from FF:

 

It is becoming apparent that the takeover of "Oldco" may have involved criminal activity.

 

Under SPL rules this is covered by Force Majeure (as detailed below).

 

 

A6.13 A Club may appeal against a deduction of points in terms of Rule A6.8 or A6.9 on the grounds that:-

A6.13.1 It has not taken, suffered or been subject to an Insolvency Event or Insolvency Process;

A6.13.2 The Insolvency Event which gave rise to the points deduction, against which an appeal is taken, is part of an Insolvency Process and that the Club has already been subject to a points deduction in relation to an earlier Insolvency Event in the same Insolvency Process in or for the same Season;

A6.13.3 Rule A6.12 applies; or,

A6.13.4 The Insolvency Event or Insolvency Process, which gave rise to such points deduction, arose as a result of a Force Majeure Event.

 

 

 

So if any criminality is involved, the SPL / SFA sanctions/embargoes & fines would be deemed illegal."Oldco" shareholders would have a case for suing the SFA / SPL for lose of revenue etc.

 

It is my opinion that the SFA / SPL are desperate to force reconstruction through to allow them to "Newco" & thereby avoid any legal action by "Oldco" shareholders.

 

I would propose that the fighting fund money be used to seek an injunction against reconstruction, until completion of the various criminal investigations, to ensure that the SFA / SPL cannot "Newco" & thereby negate their responsibility to "Oldco" shareholders.

 

It will also focus the minds of the media here to start asking pertinent questions.

 

 

What a lot of rubbish. Any criminality involved in the takeover is independent of any deals or trading that newco subsequently does.

[der Berliner 3,267]

What a lot of rubbish. Any criminality involved in the takeover is independent of any deals or trading that newco subsequently does.

 

Maybe you highlight the part being "rubbish", for I think a large part of it ain't rubbish at all?

[Darthter 542]

What a lot of rubbish. Any criminality involved in the takeover is independent of any deals or trading that newco subsequently does.

 

My reading of the post was that it was connected with Whytes original takeover (ie. company now referred to as Oldco) - nothing connected to the company currently running the club at all.

The suggestion being that the SPL are effectively trying to do what we did last year.