GLASGOW: Scottish Football League (SFL) clubs voted yesterday to join an expanded Scottish Premier League system, Britain’s domestic Press Association said.
The vote, which was passed by 23 votes for and just six against -- Rangers were ineligible to vote as they are only an associate member -- brings to an end 123 years of the SFL. The proposals include a structure with 12 top flight teams and 10 in each of the next three divisions, as well as a new financial redistribution model.
Reconstruction proposals needed a minimum of 22 “yes” votes to push them through but it was not a smooth process, particularly with threats of a breakaway by first division clubs hanging over the process.
SFL chief executive David Longmuir said he was sad at the dissolution of the SFL but felt that it was inevitable.
“We have always embraced the big principles but once you go behind the big principles like governance, distribution and one league body, there were areas of major concerns,” he said.
“But nevertheless a lot of them have seen it for the good of the game and we all accept that Scottish football is better governed under one roof.
“On the 27th June there will be a formalised completion of the process and the first board meeting of the new organisation -- the SPFL (Scottish Professional Football League) -- will take place that day and at that point a board will be appointed.
“I would imagine that other processes will take place to design the new organisation and resource it.” AFP
