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Ten Scottish clubs set to quit league Posted: Wednesday July 31, 2002 5:18 AMUpdated: Wednesday July 31, 2002 4:56 PM GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -- The future of Scotland's top soccer league was thrown into doubt on Wednesday when 10 of the 12 clubs said they planned to quit the league after two more seasons. The 10 smaller clubs in the Scottish Premier League announced the move to neutralize the power of the two giants in Scotland -- the Glasgow clubs Rangers and Celtic. Under present league rules, a single vote by either Rangers or Celtic is enough to veto any proposal. The 10 want a two-thirds rule. Two-time defending champions Celtic and Rangers would be invited to join the new league, but under different voting rules. "The 10 SPL clubs do intend to resign in the next 24 hours," Bryan Jackson, administrator of the Motherwell club, said Wednesday. Meanwhile, just three days before the league season begins on Saturday, officials agreed to a new two-year TV deal with the BBC reported to be worth 15 million pounds (US$23.25 million). The threat to break away and form a new league first surfaced in April after the collapse of a Scottish Premier League TV channel. Celtic and Rangers have long hinted they would like to play in a new European league, or play in England. In May, however, the English Football Association ended speculation that Celtic and Rangers could move from the Scottish league and said it would not allow the Glasgow clubs -- known as the "Old Firm" -- to play in England. UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, also opposed the move. Lex Gold, chairman of the Scottish Premier League, said negotiations would continue and said a compromise was still possible. "I have been trying for two or three months now to broker a deal between the Old Firm and the other 10," Gold said. "I'm encouraged by the fact that today [Wednesday] all 12 clubs have agreed that those negotiations should continue. The 10 will put in their resignations within the next two days but they are doing so on the basis that a deal is possible between both sides." Celtic chief executive Ian McLeod said the decision of the 10 left a dark cloud over Scottish soccer. "We are extremely disappointed at the action the 10 have taken," he said. "I think it does cast an air of uncertainty around Scottish football, which is something we have endeavored to try and avoid." "I can understand that the 10 have concerns." McLeod said Rangers and Celtic had made "a series of constructive concessions" to avoid the breakaway. "We felt that these concessions would be acceptable but unfortunately they haven't been. "I think there are a number of issues that are still outstanding. Voting rights is one of them but not the only one." Jackson said he was content a new TV deal had been worked out. "Obviously I'm very happy that this is now going to go through. That was very important for everybody. "I'm disappointed it has taken so long, but pleased that it's going to happen now."
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