Three clubs who were promoted after the suspension of football in Scotland have issued a joint statement saying that they will “robustly defend” themselves after a petition challenging the outcome was lodged by Hearts and Partick Thistle in the Court of Sessions.
After filing the petition on Wednesday, Hearts and Thistle said they “reserve the right” to try to delay the Scottish Premiership season and the SPFL have seven days from then to respond to the petition which they are “studying carefully”.
Should the petition be successful Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers who all won their respective divisions would stay down whilst Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer who all finished bottom of the table would not be demoted.
In a joint statement, the three insists that could “potentially have catastrophic financial implications” not just for them, but for each of the SPFL’s 42 clubs
As a result lawyers have been instructed to act for them.
The statement reads: “On Wednesday Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers were served with a petition lodged in the Court of Session by fellow SPFL member clubs, Heart of Midlothian and Partick Thistle, which, if successful, could prevent our clubs’ promotions, and potentially have catastrophic financial implications for every SPFL member club as well.
“Whilst we are extremely unhappy that we have been drawn into this legal action, we can confirm that we immediately instructed external lawyers to act on our behalf and to protect our clubs’ interests. Since the SPFL resolution was passed by 81% of member clubs on 15th April 2020, which confirmed us all as title winners who were to be promoted, we have undertaken extensive and costly preparations for a new season in new leagues, including obtaining major financial commitments from our supporters, business partners and stakeholders. Our removal from those leagues would be ruinous on and off the field.
“We have each had a highly successful season, brought to a premature end by something bigger than our clubs and bigger than our sport. Our status as champions of our respective leagues is not being contested, and nor should the promotion which has always, and should always, come with it.
“The legal action that has been raised by Heart of Midlothian and Partick Thistle not only threatens the financial stability of the SPFL, but also its individual member clubs.
“For all of these reasons, we must and will robustly defend our position.
“As legal proceedings are now underway, we intend to make no further comment on the matter at this time.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
