SFL summit on Rangers newco to go ahead

Monday 2 July 2012

SFL summit on Rangers newco to go ahead

Alison McConnell

Football Writer

TOMORROW'S scheduled SFL summit over moves to parachute newco Rangers into the First Division WILL go ahead, despite opposition from lower league clubs.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist returned to training at Murray Park today after a well-earned break to try and build a team for next seaso

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By ALISON McCONNELL

It is believed that Stenhousemuir and Alloa had called for the meeting to be called off as tensions between the the SFL and SPL over the Ibrox club's crisis threatens to plunge the game into civil war.

However, other SFL clubs have voiced their fears for survival if Rangers aren't admitted to the lower leagues.

The SPL currently pays £1.8m to the SFL every season as part of a settlement agreement following the creation of the top 12 league format that is currently in existence.

And losing that revenue would be catastrophic for many clubs who then face going to the wall.

Many SFL clubs believe it would be better to wait until Wednesday - after the SPL hold their vote - before convening.

Lawyers have already been drafted in to examine in microscopic detail the rules of the league's handbook since it has been unclear exactly what percentage of the vote will be needed in order to accept or reject the newco gaining entry to the lower league.

The SFL have maintained today that tomorrow's 11am meeting will go ahead as the Rangers crisis comes to a head.

There will be a formal SPL meeting on Wednesday at Hampden as clubs clarify that Rangers will not be allowed re-entry into the top flight.

It's believed that SFL clubs have been offered a £1m sweetener from the Sky TV deal with the SPL to cover First Division games.

The return of the play-off system has also been offered as an incentive for the SFl to agree to take Rangers into the league.

While talks will be held tomorrow, clubs will not be in a position to vote on the matter of the newco until July 9.

SFL rules dictate that a meeting of this nature needs five days' notice.

The July 9 date would be just 19 days before the SFL clubs begin the season with the Ramsdens Cup.

If Rangers' SPL place is taken by Dundee then the Ibrox side will be away to Brechin on the opening day of the campaign.

However, if Dunfermline are reinstated into the SPL, Rangers will be away to Forfar but if they are forced to go all the way back to the Third Division then they will have a home tie against Stenhousemuir to prepare for.

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