Stewart Regan has moved a significant step closer to modernising the Scottish Football Association's decision-making processes just as the governing body becomes embroiled in a legal dispute with Celtic over their disciplinary rules.
The SFA chief executive refused to comment on Celtic's claim that manager Neil Lennon will serve two four-match touchline bans concurrently. But Regan has secured the backing of the SFA board to streamline and speed up the disciplinary process, with the aim being to implement change for the start of next season.
"I'm not able to talk about Neil Lennon or Celtic at the moment," said Regan on Thursday as the SFA launched their performance strategy. "We're in the middle of a live case and we're not able to get into it. There are legal implications on both sides of this particular case."
The SFA's position is understood to be that the punishments will run consecutively, with the four-match suspension he received for his clash with Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist following the ban for dismissal against Hearts in November, which he is now halfway through.
Celtic's case is based on the rule that a punishment begins 14 days after the offence but the SFA are seeking legal advice over the issue.
Regan admitted he had identified failings in the SFA systems from his first day in the job in October and he is closing in on a major shake-up.
He said: "The committee structure, whilst it has worked for many years, is very bureaucratic and laborious.
"We need to have a much slicker, more transparent, more up-front system where all clubs, players and officials know exactly what's happening and how long it takes for things to be dealt with.
"I made a commitment to modernise the structure of the organisation and the processes. I'm delighted to say that, at Wednesday's board meeting, the board have backed the proposals and we will be taking them to the AGM on June 6."
Regan revealed the plans included restructuring the board, incorporating a professional and non-professional board and a main strategic board, with responsibility for financial and other major decisions.
Source: PA
