Neil Doncaster has just completed an in-depth interview with Scotland’s Sportsound and the SPFL boss is not happy with some of the accusations that have been flying about and has come back at them with all guns firing.
During the interview, Doncaster was very clear and confident with the following facts.
- Hearts chair Ann Budge is “mistaken” in saying she approved a loan while on the SPFL board in 2017 and that the league “unequivocally did not” do so that season;
- Instead, Motherwell and Partick were each awarded an “advance fee payment” of £150,000 that term as compensation for having one fewer Old Firm home game. Celtic agreed to forgo £300,000 to cover that;
- Those were subject to VAT, were invoiced, and did not need to be repaid – so could not be loans;
- Around £7m is in the SPFL’s accounts and will be released to Premiership clubs when the season is completed;
- The SPFL could “in principle” have made “individual loans to individual clubs” but it would have been impossible to do so for all 42. They also could not be satisfied that each club would be a “good credit risk” and that other clubs would have been left liable;
- Rangers’ resolution was ineffective because you “cannot force” a board to make loans that may not be in the company’s best interests;
- Conversations were had about voiding the season, which would have left the league “in a right mess”;
- Two lower-league clubs informally asked for a loan prior to the vote to end the season. Those requests have since been withdrawn;
- He is “entirely relaxed” about the fact Premiership clubs met without him on Friday;
- All TV money has been received but he wouldn’t comment on whether any could be clawed back;
- “Frank conversations” are going to be had with broadcasters and sponsors.
“It’s extremely disappointing that these vague allegations are out there with no one actually coming forward and saying ‘I was bullied by someone within the SPFL staff’,” he said. I do not believe for a moment that anyone has been bullied by a member of the SPFL staff. Least of all myself.”
There may be people standing on different sides of the fence with everything that has gone on for the past few weeks but not one person can deny that this ongoing shambles is bad for the Scottish game and is slightly embarrassing.
Celtic have stayed extremely quiet on the matter and have let the situation just unfold in front of them while being one of the clubs with the most to lose in terms of silverware. The Hoops were on course to collect all three domestic trophies this season for the fourth consecutive year which shows just how much restraint the suits at Paradise are keeping.
With big money leagues like Ligue 1 already calling their season over and naming champions it is expected that the SPFL will soon follow suit but not with so many accusations still lingering.
This saga looks like it goes from bad to worse from statement to statement, it is time for everything to be put out in the open, it is time for all cards to be placed on the table. This is not the time for games, the future of a lot of Scottish clubs hangs in the balance and they need clarity and some kind of certainty.
