SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has given an explanation for the email sent to UEFA which Rangers drew attention to in their dossier of evidence, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
The Gers included the email which was written jointly by Doncaster and SFA chief, Ian Maxwell, because it suggested that most clubs in Scotland wanted the season to be brought to an early conclusion amid the global health crisis.
They claim this was a false representation designed to “encourage UEFA to offer the SPFL a concession to end the 2019/20 season early” as it was written well in advance of the vote and before Rangers had even been consulted on the matter.
Yet, Doncaster maintains he’s done nothing wrong.
“Clubs were telling us they needed clarity and they needed certainty,” he said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun. “They needed to take action if the line was going to be drawn under the season.”
“They needed to cauterise the wound, to turn off the tap and stop unnecessary outgoings. They were telling us in large numbers they wanted a line drawn under the season.
“All the letter to UEFA was, from myself and Ian Maxwell, was a reflection of what clubs were telling us.
“We didn’t say all clubs, we said the large majority of clubs, and I stand by that view which I held at the time. I think it was the right view and it was reflected in over 80 percent of clubs in the league agreeing with the resolution.”
Verdict
This aspect of the Rangers dossier received a lot of attention last week, with plenty of Bears suggesting on social media that it provided proof that the governing bodies were looking to mislead UEFA to speed up their bid to end league seasons.
However, in much the same way as he’s dealt with all the complaints raised by Rangers, Doncaster has dismissed the claims.
If the CEO was canvassing opinion well in advance of the vote, though, why weren’t the Gers consulted? Perhaps because the response wouldn’t have been what the SPFL were looking for?
How can fair judgements be made on the level of support for a resolution if only a select few members were asked for their opinion?
Doncaster has stuck to his guns again but his response hasn’t provided any real clarity and an independent review still looks to be the only possible route to the truth around this whole vote saga.
