The SPFL’s handling of the vote to bring an end to the lower leagues in Scotland has been an “absolute mess” and needs to be investigated according to Rangers boss Steven Gerrard.
This week, an SPFL member club vote has brought and end to the to the Scottish Championship, League One and League Two.
It comes after Dundee had a late change of heart. They had initially intended to vote no but in the end belatedly opted to vote in favour.
Gerrard’s club Rangers had previously called for the suspension of the SPFL Chief executive Neil Doncaster as well as an inquiry into the vote.
“From afar the SPFL looks an absolute mess,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.
“All I ask is for the main leader of the SPFL to show some real leadership.
“I think what he has to do now – because there are so many accusations, doubts and questions about this institution – is allow an independent investigation into the setup to prove everything wrong and make sure there is fairness and transparency.”
The fact that the vote has passed means that Cove Rangers, Raith Rovers and Dundee United have all been declared champions of their respective leagues.
Meanwhile, Partick Thistle and Stranraer have been relegated.
The motion passing also gives the SPFL board the power to bring an end to the Premiership season if it becomes clear that it can’t continue – meaning Hearts would drop down a division.
Hearts owner Ann Budge has previously threatened to take legal action if something like that were to happen.
Hearts have claimed that the SPFL had an “undue influence” on the voting procedure, while Rangers say they have evidence of “bullying” and “coercion” of clubs backing the vote.
As you’d expect, the SPFL themselves say they have acted “wholly properly” throughout this whole process.
“I’m listening to ex players, pundits, I’m reading media and it’s [the SPFL] getting absolutely battered from pillar to post the way it’s handled things in the past couple of days,” said Gerrard.
“The SPFL have said they’re open to an internal investigation but I don’t agree with that because you shouldn’t really be allowed to mark your own homework.
“If you mark your own homework, you’re always going to come top of the class. There’s not going to be any questions asked.
“I’m waiting for the leader [chairman] Murdoch MacLennan to say ‘Ok, this is our organisation, I’m going to be the leader, show leadership and I’m going to allow an outside investigator to come in and go right across the whole situation and prove that everything’s clean’.
“And if everything’s clean, fair and transparent then the media and ex players can’t slam the organisation.”
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