HEARTS AND PARTICK THISTLE are set to launch a joint legal bid to reverse the decision to relegate them following Coronavirus prematurely ending the league campaigns across Scotland. The Edinburgh side had always committed to launching a legal bid should reconstruction fail; however, Thistle were reluctant to commit funds towards a legal bid to retain their place in the Championship due to the costs. This could mean that Celtic and the rest of the Premiership’s August kick-off could be at risk as infighting within the Scottish game looks set to continue.
Yesterday they confirmed that stance but 24 hours later the Firhill side have released a statement confirming their U-turn and are now committed to taking the SPFL to court over the decision to relegate them. A mysterious donor has stumped up the cash to allow Thistle to hire a brief to help retain their status as Hearts and the Jags attempt to avoid relegation.
The decision could result in havoc for the Scottish game as litigation looks set to begin. Hearts and Thistle believe that they deserve a reprieve, despite loitering at the bottom of the division for the vast majority of the campaign.
Celtic are currently tentatively returning to pre-season training ahead of the restart in August; however, the threat of Hearts and Thistle could mean that the restart is jeopardised should they seek an interdict against the SPFL resuming.
Reconstruction was the fairest way to mitigate the losses of relegation; however, clubs voted with their own self-interest amidst the chaos emanating from Ibrox meaning that Thistle, Hearts and Stranraer are consigned to the division below. It is a bitter pill to swallow for these teams, who believe that they could have rescued their fate had the games be played.
Should a judge rule in their favour with an interdict being placed upon football being played until a decision has been reached, the Scottish game would be at the mercy of due process. This could take any amount of time and hampers the restart plans, which could potentially move other clubs into the financial abyss.
Stronger leadership was required throughout this whole episode and even when it appeared that the final avenue of reconstruction had been exhausted, another twist throws up more uncertainty in the Scottish game.
