Doncaster open to SPL expansion
The Scottish Premier League is considering possible expansion and a play-off system.
"We have been talking to supporters and there does seem to be some desire to freshen things up," revealed SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster.
"That could mean more teams in the SPL but we have to be open to all ideas.
"The play-offs in the Football League have been a tremendous success and innovations like that can create much in terms of excitement and revenue."
The idea of a second tier for the SPL has long been mooted but several managers have expressed their backing for taking the number of top flight teams from 12 to 16 instead.
The SPL, which formed in 1998 with 10 teams, has never employed play-offs.
Doncaster, who assumed his post in July, was behind the launch of a wide-ranging online fans' survey in January, and has always stressed that he is open to change.
However, any amendments to the league would have to be approved by a vote from the 12 clubs.
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You need to keep wealthy owners being able to finance clubs - it's the way many clubs have been financed for many, many years
Neil Doncaster
SPL chief executive |
"Anything we propose has to be embraced by the clubs if it is to become reality," explained Doncaster. "The starting point is us generating ideas. We then need to talk to clubs and see if there is a consensus."
Meanwhile, Celtic and Rangers were warned that they would face SPL expulsion if they attempt to negotiate their own television deals.
Doncaster admitted that the loss of one Champions League qualification spot next year would increase the pressure for change.
But he insisted the Old Firm could not go it alone in terms of TV deals.
Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, he said: "The coefficient being as it is leading to the loss of Champions League representation for one of our teams will certainly increase the pressure for change.
"There's no doubt in my mind that we need to look very carefully at where the SPL is going.
"There are two very big clubs in our mix and they certainly in the past made no secret that they may be open to invitations from elsewhere.
"The (English) Premier League made it unequivocally clear where they stand on that last year and that means that the two clubs, Celtic and Rangers, are likely to be here for the foreseeable future.
"I don't think it has any impact at all on individual selling because that is not allowed under the SPL constitution.
"I find the idea of individual selling very difficult - for me that's not what football is all about. Collective selling makes a more level playing field for the game."
Doncaster also expressed his opposition to Uefa's financial fair play plans, which would stop rich owners from bankrolling clubs. That proposal has already been watered down but Doncaster warned that such action could harm teams.
"It's very important that it doesn't close off the avenue for wealthy owners or sugar daddies who have the best interests of the club at heart being able to invest in the right way, through equity or a gift.
"That's just part of living the dream.
"So long as you avoid the plight of clubs such as Portsmouth with debts they cannot pay off, then you need to keep wealthy owners being able to finance clubs - it's the way many clubs have been financed for many, many years.
"If you kill the dream you stand a real chance of killing football however much it might be attractive in the short term."
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