It was 1983 and Edwyn Collins had no idea his lyrics would be so prophetic.
“Rip it up and start again, I hope to God you’re not as dumb as you make out”…
The fact of the matter is the Orange Juice classic (well to me) sums up everything that has happened since the 42 member clubs, or at least the majority of them cast their votes on the SPFL proposal designed to save Scottish football from meltdown.
Since then we’ve discovered Dundee are left in either the unenviable or narcissistic position – depending on how you look at it – of being cast in the role of kingmaker of homewrecker, depending of your perspective.
As things stand the Dens Park club have the deciding vote (yes they still do), despite apparently having voted against it already, submitted their vote – signed dated and everything – , being told it wasn’t received and then saying they’d changed their mind anyway and wished to withdraw the vote they’d already cast. It’s a headache isn’t it? I could use stronger language but it’s frowned upon.
I bet there are a few Conservative voters wishing they could do the same after watching this inept Government’s handling of the coronavirus. Sadly for all of us it’s not a choice they should have and nor should Dundee.
That vote, to put it simply, is far too compromised to have any validity whatsoever. Yet seeing as time is of the essence as Edwyn said, we are going to have to rip it up and start again and hope Neil Doncaster and pals are not as dumb as they make out and can come up with a viable alternative proposal and quick.
The original proposal was of course flawed, in that there was punishment meted out by way of relegation. Promises made of a window for further debate around league reconstruction was obviously not deemed trustworthy enough. Having witnessed the fall out since Friday I have sympathy now for that position. As such the SPFL need to table an amended motion and taken into account the member clubs fears.
Now far be it from me to blow smoke up the backside of The Celtic Star Editor, but David has had a plan to cover this and has been banging the drum of a sensible solution for weeks. It would mean a minor tweak to the current proposal and it would allay enough fears to be passed without any further damage to the reputation of Scottish football. It could be voted on tomorrow, it really is that simple and fair.
It appears very few clubs were against the season being ended, few feared handing out the trophies on current standings. There appears to have only been one club who based the entirety of their opposition on stopping Celtic being awarded 9-in-a-row but we’ll leave them to their whistle blowers, null and void wet dreams and independent inquiries for now. The adults in the room need to find a solution to this.
The sticking points are promotions and relegations. Promoting Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts to increase the leagues to 44 clubs allows expansion to a 14 team Premiership and Championship. No club needs to be relegated, clubs get promoted and we can all look ahead. Reward success and ensure there is no punishment.
If we must return to the current structure then three clubs can be relegated the following season and we return to the status quo. If we don’t wish to return to that option, we buy enough time to debate genuine restructuring options for the years ahead. It’s a plan that simply reeks of common sense. Possibly that’s why it hasn’t been considered.
I have little faith left in the SPFL for the voting shambles that has opened Scottish football to allegations of impropriety, but we don’t have time for all of that when Scottish clubs are on the precipice of financial ruin and no-one can plan for next season until we find a solution to conclude this one.
We can address who is fit to govern and how we restructure our leagues after we’ve found a solution to conclude the current campaign. Once we do clubs can sell season tickets and arrange sponsorship. As of August the 1st the new TV deal can kick in and clubs struggling to keep their heads above water get a life jacket.
One thing is certain, this particular vote is dead in the water and some Scottish football clubs will follow it if the SPFL don’t get an alternative out there and quick.
This season will not be concluded. The SFA have stated there is not football to be played until at least 10 June. Clubs like Stranraer have no contracted players after the 1 June. Not a single player. Others will have just a handful. The bottom three leagues can play football next season but they can’t continue with this one.
The Scottish Premiership is only delaying until 23 April when UEFA’s executive committee meets. That is just an exercise in allowing UEFA to appear in control.
After the Belgian Jupiler League declared on current standings, UEFA threatened reprisals around European placings. As such Scottish football is playing lip service to Alexander Ceferin and at least pretending to bow to UEFA demands. UEFA will ratify Scottish football’s decision and the top flight will be allowed to follow Belgium and declare on current standings. Season 2019-20 is over, bar a plan to end it equitably.
We can no longer lean on the outcome of this compromised vote. That ship has sailed but there is a plan that would work and garner enough support. Don’t tell him I said this but The Celtic Star’s Editor David is right, his plan is simple and straightforward to be adopted now and will pass a vote.
Perhaps with this proposal clubs could be afforded time to peruse, understand and debate before putting it to the vote. When this does go to the vote can we possibly ensure that there is a window from when voting opens to when it closes and not a series of lopsided options on the table that you can choose from, that leaves the whole thing open to allegations of corruption.
On this occasion can we state that if your vote is late it will not be accepted, if you have not voted there is no leeway for a little more room to think, you will be treated as having abstained and you can just explain to your supporters and the rest of Scottish football why you couldn’t muster an opinion when you had a simple choice of yes or no. And can we please clarify that once you’ve voted then no you cannot change your mind!
The current SPFL proposal simply has to be ripped up and started again.
Let’s hope Neil Doncaster et al aren’t as dumb as they make out and can recognise there is a welcome solution staring them in the face.
Niall J
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Raging Rangers, Celtic team bus vote, Sunday Mail calls for Null and Void…https://t.co/FkopF7lHYs
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) April 12, 2020
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