SPFL plan league reconstruction as Premiership season could end early

Dundee’s vote reversal means rivals Dundee United were crowned champions in the Championship

The SPFL are considering ending the Scottish Premiership season early, after Dundee’s change of heart meant they ended the lower divisions and crowned Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers champions.

Dundee had voted against the SPFL’s proposal, but now their reversal has allowed the three divisions to end early, ensuring end-of-season payments can be made to clubs who were struggling financially.

The two big decisions now remaining are whether to end the Premiership campaign, and how to order a restructuring of the leagues—with a taskforce appointed to explore the latter.

In the top flight, Celtic lead Rangers by 13 points, with the latter having a game in hand.

Hearts and Hamilton are the league’s bottom two sides, with the chairman from both clubs—Ann Budge and Les Gray respectively—heading up the restructuring taskforce.

The SPFL says it is “committed to consulting” with Premiership clubs before opting to end the 19/20 top flight or not. League reconstruction could include an expanded top flight, meaning Haerts and Hamilton may avoid relegation, while other clubs below the crowned champions in each division may also achieve promotion.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard derided the voting process and asked for an independent investigation to clarify the truth behind any “accusations” and “doubts” from stakeholders.

“From afar the SPFL looks an absolute mess,” he said to Sky Sports. “All I ask is for the main leader of the SPFL to show some real leadership.”

“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.

“There needs to be an expert or an investigator. And if everything’s clean, fair and transparent then the media and ex players can’t slam the organisation.”