Hearts and Hibs are set to challenge the authority of the SPFL over the fixture farce involving the final day of the Championship season.
Over the course of 24 hours the SPFL managed to infuriate both clubs, and others, as they threw tradition out the window, expressed surprise that their decision was criticised then completed the u-turn by bringing all of the fixtures back in line.
The lack of dialogue and understanding has particularly annoyed the Edinburgh clubs who are angered by the aloof way in which the issue was handled with the SPFL leaders appearing detached from the clubs that they are supposedly acting on behalf of.
After sending out the fixture change by email Ann Budge of Hearts was unable to contact Neil Doncaster by phone prompting a series of emails.
Ultimately it is the clubs that shape how the SPFL operate with Budge angling for an overhaul in how the league is managed.
“The way in which Scottish football is being run really does need to be examined and explored,” she said. “I’m talking about the process. I have never run a business by committee. I find it very difficult that in certain situations you need 42 clubs to say yes before you can make any change.
“So the whole way in which Scottish football is run is something we do need to look at and keep challenging if things are wrong. The attitude of ‘well that’s the way it’s done in football’ needs to be challenged.”
Among the chain of events that caused most alarm was the SPFL statement that they were surprised by the reaction to stagger the final round of Championship fixtures.
Whatever else may happen in the game finishing the league season at the same time is a concept that everyone works around.
Playing the Hearts v Sevco match after the other Championship fixtures are completed not only kicks sporting integrity into touch but would also rob television viewers of an extra level of drama as events elsewhere impact on the game at Tynecastle.
Budge added: “To read the statement, which to all intents and purposes said ‘we don’t really know why this is being made an issue’ was a strange thing to say.
“There was some other language used, which I took a bit of an issue with. There were one or two things things which I felt underestimated the significance of the nature of the situation.”
Hibs were equally angered by the distraction during the week leading up to a Scottish Cup semi final.
Easter Road chief executive Leeann Dempster said: “This was a ludicrous situation entirely of the SPFL’s making. For example, in our view if we had requested a switch to coincide with the Hearts v Rangers clash it could have seen Queen of the South disadvantaged.
“Sporting integrity is sporting integrity and must be applied equally to all clubs – and that is surely the job of the SPFL.
“There needs to be a look at the governance of the organisation if they believe that this type of decision is acceptable to the clubs.
“And, let’s be frank here, the league put the onus on clubs like ourselves to make a decision to ask for a move, rather than the league itself deciding the best way forward.
After creating such a stir all Championship matches will now kick-off at 12.15 on Saturday May 2.