A MERGER of the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League could yet happen before the start of next season.
That prospect will be back on the agenda when the 12 SPL clubs meet at Hampden this morning, a week after Neil Doncaster, the SPL chief executive, had said that full league reconstruction was now "extremely unlikely" given the time restraints involved. However, the announcement on Friday by the first division clubs that they wished to break away from the SFL to form a second tier of the SPL has led to a further shifting of attitudes.
A 42-club solution, involving a merger of the two bodies, an all-through financial distribution model and the introduction of play-offs, will therefore be one of four options on the table at the meeting at Hampden today.
The others are maintaining the status quo, introducing play-offs under the current set-up, and creating a 10-team second tier, also with play-offs, under the SPL umbrella.
"The clubs said last week [that they felt a merger would not be possible before next season] and they were looking more at the viability of play-offs as a standalone," said Doncaster. "But what the first division clubs have done has changed the debate. It's refocused minds. Whether that takes us towards a 42-club solution, a 22-club solution, or standalone play-offs we will see [today]."
Stewart Gilmour is one in favour of a resolution that involves all four divisions. "The good thing for me is that the 42-team agenda seems to be back on the table," said the St Mirren chairman. "That's really important to us, that's the way forward. I'm very much in favour of play-offs and we would look to support that but it's about the whole package."
Les Gray, the chairman of Hamilton Academical, added: "We're hopeful that we can find a way with the all-through model that was the original plan.
"The SPL clubs have shown a willingness to give up money for the second tier and most of the clubs appreciate that. But they haven't got over the line yet."
Eleven clubs would need to vote in favour of merging the two league bodies or to introduce a second tier of the SPL, while only eight votes would be needed to introduce play-offs.
No vote is scheduled for today's meeting but, if all 12 clubs agree, one could be called at short notice.
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