Ann Budge has slammed Neil Doncaster’s decision to announce a new format for the League Cup without consulting the Tynecastle club.
It’s the second time this year that the Hearts chief has criticised Doncaster with the duo previously at odds over the SPFL’s decision to switch Hearts final Championship fixture back 24 hours. Doncaster was forced into a u-turn over that decision with the launch of the new look League Cup marred by another lack of judgement by the SPFL chief executive.
“I would liked to have known a little bit more about them before they were publicly announced,” Budge said. “They were all things that were mooted before, but in terms of a total package being put together it wasn’t something most of us were aware of. So I haven’t had a chance to examine whether I think it’s the right way forward.
“I know it will influence clubs financially, potentially in contract terms with players, and the fact that we haven’t had a chance to think these things through is a bit of a negative. In saying that, I’m all for change, we do need change.
“We’ve talked about a winter break, we’ve talked about summer football, this is the beginning of something. So I’m not saying it’s wrong, just that I would have liked to have known more about it before it was announced.”
In April the SPFL announced that the Hearts v Sevco Championship fixture would be put back 24 hours meaning that the final round of fixtures would be staggered.
That decision was met by a storm of protest from all sides, after defending the decision Doncaster then put the game back to it’s original date with Sky Sports expressing their surprise at the decision.
Criticising that move Budge said: “I’m not talking about personalities, 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. I am puzzled [by Doncaster’s comments] because there was quite a bit of email activity at least [from a number of clubs].
“I think Hearts, and Rangers, should have been advised of what was going on other than just being one of 42 clubs to receive an email. Just engaging with the clubs a bit more would help. We won’t always get what we want but at least talk to us.”
The new look League Cup tournament will begin in mid July for clubs not involved in UEFA competitions and will allow for the introduction of a winter break for Premiership clubs.
Why can’t all the club’s get together and get rid of this clown, and also demand change at the SFA, it’s the only way we’ll ever get rid of them.
HH
It’s about time every club in Scotland with the Exception of Sevco why you may ask..Because this team shouldn’t be able to make decisions for the rest of us cause they’re cheats and in Cohoots with Doncaster so it’s down to the rest of us to boot this crooked shower out now..Sevco should have no say what so ever
Never thought I would have liked to have a Jambo part of our set up, but she would put some of our hierarchy to shame.
This wee wumman saved the “cousins”, like a latter day ” bunnet,” put money were her mouth was, and has never been afraid to stand against the establishment.
Listen and learn Peter and company and stand up for us in ther same way.
HH
Joratim
Whit,tell that tae the creditors they shafted!!, and that includes £340k owed tae taxpayers of Edinburgh for renting riccarton, oh and by the way, they are back hogging like nothing effing happened!!!.
AYE RIGHT!!.