Talk of Celtic leaving Scottish football comes around at least once a year. The botched Superleague plan has brought it into sharp focus again and we expect the end result to be the same as always – nothing!
SunSport has reported that should something actually come to fruition, Celtic would need to hand in a two-year notice to the SPFL.
Article 16 of the rules also claims the financial shortcomings faced by other clubs because of their departure would have to be paid by the Hoops board on the way out”
“The prior written notice required from the member, as aforesaid, shall be irrevocable.
“In the event that subsequent to providing such written notice the member intimates a desire not to resign, retire or cease for whatever reason to be a member of the Scottish FA, the written notice shall nonetheless remain extant and if the member wishes to continue in membership of the Scottish FA, it shall be required to apply for membership of the Scottish FA in accordance with Article 6.
“Any full member which is in breach of the provisions of Article 16.1 shall, if required, indemnify the Scottish FA and its members, players and recognised football bodies against all losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by the Scottish FA and its members, players and recognised football bodies which result directly or indirectly from such breach, including any loss of income or profits from any undertaking, commercial liaison, sponsorship, or arrangement entered into by the Scottish FA or by any of its members.
“A club or association ceasing to be a member for whatever reason shall thereupon forfeit all privileges of membership, save that liability as provided for in the Memorandum shall nevertheless continue.
“Any club or association ceasing to be a member for whatever reason shall nevertheless remain liable for and shall pay to the Scottish FA, its members, the players and recognised football bodies all monies which at such time may be due by such club or association to the Scottish FA, its members, the players and recognised football bodies.”
This has been floated many times and former SPL chief Roger Mitchell spoke this week about his attempts to get Celtic and their Glasgow rivals out of Scottish football twenty years ago where the clubs would move into an Atlantic league and the two clubs would pay a dowry so no Scottish clubs were financially disadvantaged as a result.
Any move out of Scottish football would have to suit not just Celtic but the rest of the league.
It’s worth noting the two-year notice could be waved if the SPFL so wished.
Many believe the geographical nature is holding back the game in many respects. As we start to see cross border leagues elsewhere, is it just a matter of time or are we just going round in circles?
