SPL look to be heading for expansion

Scottish Premier League clubs are moving towards a 10-team top tier after appearing to rule out an extension to the current 12-team set-up.

All 12 clubs met at Hampden for the first time in the ongoing discussions over league reconstruction. SPL chairman Ralph Topping said clubs believe that a 16 or 18-team league is not financially viable.

A working party of 6 clubs has proposed two divisions of 10 and a vote is expected at the next gathering on 17 January.

This decision from the clubs is at odds with the opinion and desires of the Scottish fans, with more than 90% in the recent Supporters Direct survey looking for expansion in the top flight rather than contraction.

The decision appears to be purely aimed at maximising the TV money, ensuring Sky has 4 Old Firm and 4 Edinburgh derbies per season, rather looking at maximising the number of people coming through the turnstiles.

The League will die if the life blood of the fans is cut off no matter how much TV money is pumped in. If anything, when grounds are empty the TV companies may well be put off and the revenue streams are reduced both from TV and turnstiles.

When will the authorities realise people are fundamentally fed up seeing their side play the other sides four times per season (plus cup ties!). Most would like to see the League move to a play only twice per season, home and away.

This is hardly the radical reconstruction trumpeted by Neil Doncaster in recent weeks. Rather it looks as though we have turned the clock back to the 1970s when the first ever Scottish Premier League was set up – not really radical!!