The SFA and SPFL have issued a statement on a ‘harmonisation of their respective rules.’
Having been made to look like bungling incompetents in recent seasons, particularly involving insolvency events and match betting, the two bodies have produced a wordy document which also introduces on-line player registration.
Unsurprisingly there is little substance to the document with no real deterrent to clubs that want to live beyond their means knowing that a 15 point deduction is the only footballing punishment for going into administration.
Tellingly, on the first page of the document it is announced that ‘This Protocol is not intended to be and is not legally binding and it may not be relied upon by any third party for any purposes’.
Announcing the breakthrough which covers areas such as financial records, breach of registration rules and disclosure of payments and benefits Andrew McKinlay, Scottish FA Director of Governance said: “Both the Scottish FA and SPFL have been aware of the need to review our respective rules and regulations to pinpoint areas where there has been an historic overlap.
“We have worked collaboratively to identify these areas and provide guidance on who has jurisdiction in the first instance. The protocol will enable us to minimise such crossover in future and also provide clarity to member clubs, supporters and other organisations.”
Iain Blair, Scottish Professional Football League Secretary said: “The SPFL was created at great speed at the start of last season after the approval for league reconstruction. Since then we have worked with the Scottish FA, principally through its Football Governance & Regulation department, to tighten-up some of the areas that we felt were not as clear or as efficient as they should have been.
“Now, the protocol allows us to establish a clear understanding of which body has primacy in a number of governance areas across the game.”
CLICK HERE to view the ‘breakthrough’ document
