There could be trouble ahead with league reconstruction after the SFL clubs received a document from the ruling body argues that Rangers and Celtic reserve sides should join the lowest league in any new structure. There will inevitably be a lot of discussion on this suggestion behind closed doors, but Falkirk chairman Martin Ritchie has opened up already accused the SFL of acting "irresponsibly" with their proposal. SFL Chief Executive David Longmuir wants the Glasgow clubs to have a presence in Scottish football if their top teams move elsewhere. The suggestion came 24 hours after the SPL announced their clubs would meet on 15 April to vote on plans for a merged 12-12-18 structure, with the plan for the new structure to be in place for next season. The SFL clubs are not minded to be railroaded into making a decision and have their would plans for a 12-12-10-10 league, which would require two new teams. Ritchie feels they should focus on the plans in hand rather than creating fresh controversy.The Falkirk chairman said: "The problem I have with it, I think at this stage it's just a total distraction from the key issue that everybody is discussing, which is reconstruction. There are pros and cons with it but it is clearly going to be a contentious issue. It's going to divide the clubs and it's going to divide the supporters and to introduce it at this stage of the reconstruction debate, I think it's irresponsible. I got it absolutely out of the blue this afternoon when I opened my emails. Maybe there's an opportunity after reconstruction to look at the pros and cons and decide if it's a good idea, but at the moment we have very tight timescales. The SPL have said they are going to vote on the 15th of April. The SFL are behind that, partly because it was the SPL that were drawing up the documents. But the SFL have got quite a lot of catching up to do and to suddenly put a new variable on the table, and one that will certainly divide the clubs and the supporters, all that is actually doing is putting the whole process into further disarray."The 'colt' team plans do not appear to have been discussed with the SPL and St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour expressed his club's opposition. He said: "Our view has never changed on colt teams from when it came up the last time - if there are to be colt teams, then fine, we have everybody in a colt league. We have no desire to have some clubs having colt teams and others not, it's as simple as that. Maybe there's an opportunity after reconstruction to look at the pros and cons and decide if it's a good idea, but at the moment we have very tight timescales. The SPL have said they are going to vote on the 15th of April. The SFL are behind that, partly because it was the SPL that were drawing up the documents. But the SFL have got quite a lot of catching up to do and to suddenly put a new variable on the table, and one that will certainly divide the clubs and the supporters, all that is actually doing is putting the whole process into further disarray."
Source: ScottishFitba
Source: FOOTYMAD
