Football: Scots will replace Farry despite legal moves

THE SCOTTISH Football Association will not let any prospective legal dispute with deposed chief executive, Jim Farry, stop them appointing his successor.

Farry's departure was made public on Monday, even though he was personally told his fate last Friday, and the man who held the post for nine years is now taking legal advice.

The SFA has yet to decide whether to advertise the post. But the association confirmed that Jack McGinn's tenure as acting chief executive is viewed as temporary.

McGinn already holds the position of SFA president and combining the roles, even given that he is retired and has no major business commitments, is not viewed as a long-term option.

The SFA spokesman Andy Mitchell said yesterday: "It has not yet been decided how the post will be filled or whether the vacancy will be advertised. Mr McGinn is acting chief executive, which might be short-term, but there is no time limit.

"We will discuss this week how to take the role forward and what functions of the chief executive role Mr McGinn will adopt. But as we see it there is no barrier in appointing a new chief executive, even if Mr Farry appeals. They are two separate matters."

Another issue to be settled is the question of whether Farry will now lose his role on the Uefa Club Competitions Committee. He was voted onto the committee last year.

Leading candidates to replace Farry at Park Gardens include the Scottish Football League secretary, Peter Donald, SPFA secretary Tony Higgins, Rangers director Campbell Ogilvie and former English FA chief executive, Graham Kelly.