Game 'loses £16m' if Rangers drop to third division

Sports writer

Friday 29 June 2012

THE Scottish Football League have told their member clubs that accommodating Rangers in the third division will take £16m out of the game, putting the annual £2m settlement agreement paid by the Scottish Premier League at risk.

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Richard Wilson

In a document circulated to all 30 SFL teams, the prospect of an SPL2 is described as "not currently supported by the SFA", while Rangers being terminated or suspended will lead to "complete financial meltdown".

The details, revealed on the STV website, in effect urge SFL clubs to vote for Rangers being accommodated in the first division next season, probably by way of being relegated by the SPL. With Rangers remaining in the top flight having already been discounted because of the number of clubs prepared to vote against that scenario, SFL clubs will have to decide between merging the two leagues, gaining play-offs between the top two divisions and improved long-term finances, against putting Rangers into the third division, which would put the annual settlement fee at risk and also not lead to league reconstruction. However, the Falkirk manager, Steven Pressley, said he would be "disgusted" if the SFL did not push for more radical change in return for the Ibrox club being accommodated in the first division. The agreement would include an additional £1m in television money for first division clubs and greater wealth redistribution in the Scottish game, but Pressley believes it is an opportunity to push for a whole new set-up."Once again, we would have shirked a terrific opportunity to completely revolutionise our game and take it forward through reconstruction," Pressley said. "I believe these proposals have been drafted solely to get Rangers into the second tier, not to find a solution which is best for the overall game in Scotland."This is not even about Rangers. This is about how the clubs deal with being forced to change and whether they grasp the chance to do something special. The SFL will never have a better opportunity to force change than they do now and if they give up the chance for change for a play-off place and a small amount of extra money then they have sold the supporters down the river."

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Game 'loses £16m' if Rangers drop to third division

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