THE Scottish Football Association have expressed a willingness to mediate in discussions over league reconstruction should they receive a mandate from the clubs to do so.

SFA guidelines, as well as the rulebooks of the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League, currently do not permit such a move but, in a statement released last night, the board of SFA offered to assist with change "if it is truly the will of the clubs".

The move follows the defeat of the proposed 12-12-18 set-up in a vote by the 12 SPL clubs on Monday. The SFA has been involved in reconstruction talks via their Professional Game Board but previous offers to provide independent mediation or support have been rejected by the clubs. Now, though, there are calls for them to again step in to try to find a solution to the long-running reconstruction saga.

The SFA statement read: "We are aware of public comments from club chairmen from both the SPL and SFL inviting the Scottish FA to intervene to find a solution. It should be noted that we have, over the duration of the reconstruction process, facilitated a series of discussions via our Professional Game Board. After the events of last summer, the Scottish FA called upon the leagues to meet under an independent chair with a view to agreeing reconstruction proposals by October 2012. This was rejected by the leagues, who sought to promote their own proposals.

"In December 2012, when that process faltered, the Scottish FA's PGB invited all parties round the table to get the process back on track, which culminated in the agreement in principle in January. Following the separate meetings of each league's clubs in January 2013, the Scottish FA again sought to provide assistance to take forward an implementation plan. That offer was rejected by the leagues.

"The Scottish FA's rules – and the respective rule books of the league bodies – do not allow for the governing body, or any external body, to 'take control' of a separate company in possession of commercial contracts worth millions of pounds. However, if it truly is the will of the clubs, the Scottish FA is prepared to get involved and act in the best interests of the national game. This will require a mandate to the Scottish FA from both the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League, so that positive changes to improve Scottish football's future can be proposed without the threat of legal recourse or judicial review.

"Structure, finance, voting and governance are the key issues, all of which are intertwined and need to be reflected in one coherent set of proposals. The views of supporters and the public must also be taken into account.

"We all have a duty to protect and promote the national game. The Scottish FA urges the league bodies, and their respective clubs, to embrace the positive aspects of change now, or to formalise their request to the Scottish FA for external assistance."

The SFA also took the opportunity to remind the clubs of their commitments and responsibilities. "The outcome of Monday's SPL vote has been characterised by acrimony and rancour. Scottish football, even in times of grim uncertainty, should uphold the value of mutual respect, especially among clubs who all have a place within their communities.

"It should be remembered that 10 out of 12 top-flight clubs voted in favour of change. It is with this in mind that the Scottish FA reiterates its commitment to restructuring on the five principles of a single league body, fairer financial distribution, introduction of play-offs, parachute payments and a pyramid below the third division. The governing body calls on both the SPL and the SFL to reaffirm their commitment to the five principles."

Henry McLeish, the former First Minister who published a wide-ranging review of Scottish football three years ago, has been mentioned as a possible independent mediator but that would not be the choice of Stewart Gilmour. The St Mirren chairman was annoyed at an open letter written by McLeish at the start of the week urging his club and Ross County to vote yes to the proposals.

"We need to find someone to mediate and the man who did the [report on Scottish football] is not the man for me, given the way he rode in on his white horse on the last day [before the vote] and made the comments that he did," said Gilmour. "He virtually told Roy [MacGregor, Ross County chairman] and me to forget what we think and change our minds. I think Henry coming in in the first place was a reasonable idea but it hasn't worked."

Gilmour also questioned the purpose of Neil Doncaster's role at Hampden, given the SPL chief executive has little authority in matters such as reconstruction.

"If I were Neil Doncaster, would I work as a chief executive when the clubs are making the decisions? No. The 12 clubs won't give up their vote, so it's a waste of time. I wouldn't want his job. He is in place and he should have a wee look at himself."

Meanwhile, the first division clubs will meet on Monday to discuss their options with the blessing of David Longmuir, the SFL chief executive. The prospect of an SPL2 will likely be on the agenda. "Only a stupid man would say an SPL2 wouldn't be discussed but it's not the plan," said Les Gray, the Hamilton Academical chairman. "The plan is to leave all channels of communication open with the SFL, SPL and SFA. David Longmuir knows from some of the chairmen that we're not going to sit and do nothing."