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SPL expansion plan given approval


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The Scottish Premier League is a step closer to creating a second division - two and a half years after first proposing it.

The Scottish Football League had contested a bid to introduce an SPL2, claiming it would breach a previous agreement between the two bodies.

But the Scottish FA's arbitration panel concluded on Thursday that a second tier would not breach the agreement.

"We welcome this outcome," said SPL executive chairman Lex Gold.

"It has taken quite some time to arrive at this conclusion.

"But the way is now clear for us to review this outcome with our clubs after which we will have discussions with our colleagues in the SFL.

"Our aim through all of this has been to enhance and strengthen the senior professional game in Scotland."

The proposal for a new top-flight structure of 22 clubs playing in two divisions was first introduced in 2006.

But the SFL challenged the proposal, insisting it would break a settlement agreement which was reached when the SPL was first set up in 1998.

That settlement agreement detailed issues such as promotion, relegation and parachute payments.

The independent panel that was appointed to assess the SFL's claim of a possible breach included Hon Lord Brodie, PricewaterhouseCoopers' David Glen and Jim Clydesdale.

The SPL say they will convene an extraordinary meeting of its 12 clubs in mid-March to ask them if they still back the creation of an SPL2.

If that's successful, the SPL will then open negotiations with the SFL.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/s...rem/7900033.stm

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I wanted a 16 team SPL :(

me too but with 18 teams!!

It's of a poor enough standard with twelve teams, adding another six teams worth of dross would ruin what's left of this league.

More pishy games with dire attendances, more teams to split the miserable TV revenue between. It just wouldn't work in my opinion.

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I wanted a 16 team SPL :(

me too but with 18 teams!!

I'm just not sure if we'd have enough.

St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Dundee, Partick, Livi - not sure if the other teams have decent enough stadia.

maybe you have a point Boab

I just want us all to play each other twice!!

would 30 games be enough for a season? maybe we could adopt a winter break with only 30 games a season more emphasis can be placed on the cups and be more europe friendly for Rangers ooooo yes im liking 16 teams now Boab (tu)

one thing I dont want is the same we have playing each other all these times a season is starting to feel like groundhog day and I think fans have voted with their feet and the last old firm lacked that spark it usually has, get it back twice a year imo (tu)

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I wanted a 16 team SPL :(

me too but with 18 teams!!

I'm just not sure if we'd have enough.

St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Dundee, Partick, Livi - not sure if the other teams have decent enough stadia.

maybe you have a point Boab

I just want us all to play each other twice!!

would 30 games be enough for a season? maybe we could adopt a winter break with only 30 games a season more emphasis can be placed on the cups and be more europe friendly for Rangers ooooo yes im liking 16 teams now Boab (tu)

one thing I dont want is the same we have playing each other all these times a season is starting to feel like groundhog day and I think fans have voted with their feet and the last old firm lacked that spark it usually has, get it back twice a year imo (tu)

I agree (tu)

Just something a bit different, the only good I can see from the SPL 2 idea is television money for the other clubs.

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Plus, if we expanded the league wouldn't this mean splitting the TV money between more teams? I can't see that any expansion is going to appeal to the TV companies enough to make up for splitting the money an extra 4 or 6 ways.

To be honest, although it's shite just now with 12 it was shite before with 16 or whatever it was and was changed for a reason. The grass is always greener.

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PARTICK THISTLE chairman Allan Cowan today told the SPL they must make it clear exactly what is on the table with regard to any proposed SPL2 package.

After yesterday's court ruling which has paved the way for the creation of an SPL second tier, the Jags supremo was cautious about the prospect of its development.

Cowan said: "Until we have the full position of the SPL summed up, any response would be purely hypothetical. The bottom line is that the First Division clubs need to know what is going to be on the table for them.

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"For example, what would be the breakdown of the two flights of the SPL if this proposal does come to fruition? Are we talking a 10-team top flight and 12-team second flight or vice-versa?

"Of course, financially speaking, there would have to be something in it for the First Division clubs. Before we can even consider this we would need to know what the benefits are."

The breakdown of any proposed two-flight SPL would indeed be interesting. It is understood that there is a growing disenchantment with the 12-team top flight over the complications caused by the current top six split.

While the original suggestion of a second tier SPL revolved around a breakdown of two leagues of 11, it is believed that there may now be a groundswell of support for a 10-team top tier with a 12-team second flight.

But Cowan added: "The SFL have done a lot for its member clubs. They now have a sponsor in Irn-Bru, and TV coverage and sponsorship in the shape of the BBC Alba station for the Challenge Cup."

Meanwhile, SFL President Brown McMaster says there will no outbreak of civil war with the SPL over the SPL 2 issue.

He said: "We have good and meaningful dialogue with the SPL.

"While all our member clubs have been notified of these developments, we will have to wait until the next meeting of the SPL on March 19 to see how they react to the court's finding."

Publication date 20/02/09

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/displa...2490596.0.0.php

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Would be good if this new league is shown on Setanta. Wouldn't mind watching Dundee play.

This man is delirious, fetch me my scalpel.

Rangers is my first team obviously but I was born in Dundee so I like to see them do well and hate United.

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