BIG TWO DEFECTION IS NON-STARTER AS GANG OF 10 AND ENGLISH CHIEF DISMISS IDEA May 13 2002
Alan Mccabe
ABERDEEN chief executive Keith Wyness has launched a scathing attack on the Old Firm and Nationwide League chief Keith Harris.
Wyness branded Rangers and Celtic greedy and accused them of destabilising European football.
He also attacked the English Football League for trying to poach Scotland’s top clubs.
Wyness said: “It’s still the same short-term agenda fuelled by greed. We all know the Old Firm want to move – they’ve made it quite clear.
“The time when it should be addressed is when UEFA decide to look at the restructuring of European football. That could be five years down the road.
“When it’s done properly with an orderly transition and everyone’s views are taken into account we can move forward.
“But to have it fuelled by the short-term self-interest of these two clubs is dangerous for the whole European game.
“It seems Dermot Desmond has been the driving force behind this but Rangers are putting a cute PR spin on the whole thing and are there too as David Murray has said.
“There are major hurdles to get over. The SPL has a two-year resignation period, the SFA, FA and UEFA will have something to say.
“UEFA have stated clearly the cross-border situation is not on. I don’t know how many times the Old Firm will have to hear the word no before they accept the situation.
“I’m also very disappointed in the way the Nationwide League have acted in this.
“It’s clear they have serious financial problems because of ITV Digital and feel they can solve those by plundering the SPL.”
Wyness claims the other 10 SPL clubs will carry out their threat to resign from the league.
He said: “We’re going through the process of doing that at the moment but there’s no doubt it will happen unless Rangers and Celtic accept the rule changes we’ve asked for. We’re not trying to back the Old Firm into a corner. We want them to be part of the new set-up.”
The Pittodrie chief also claimed the Old Firm’s actions placed doubt over any possible SPL TV deal.
He added: “I would be extremely concerned if I was the BBC if the main drawcards were saying they might not be here next year.”
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said: “I have no idea at all. There is no point trying to get anything out of me because I don’t know anything.”
Rangers manager Alex McLeish added: “There’s not a player or coach in the game who wouldn’t want to play in the best league but without getting involved in politics I’ll believe it when I see it.
“It’s hypothetical at the moment – if it happens then you can ask me.”
Dundee United boss Alex Smith said: “I’d like Rangers and Celtic to consider the situation very seriously as there is no guarantee they will get out of the Nationwide League and what happens then?”
Football League chief executive David Burns said: “Absolute rubbish. We have a regular board meeting this Thursday and Celtic and Rangers are not on the agenda and won’t be on the agenda.
“If they are coming they won’t be coming to the Nationwide League.”
SPL chairman Lex Gold said: “We have had no approach from Rangers or Celtic asking us to waive the two years notice to leave the SP.
“It is also unclear how they would achieve SFA, FA, UEFA and FIFA clearance to play in the Nationwide League and the issue over who would represent Scotland in Europe would be placed in doubt.”
Livingston chairman Dominic Keane said: “I don’t know how close the TV deal was but the latest rumours are bound to scupper any chance of that happening.”
At last Aberdeen have a Chief executive willing to stand up to the money hunger bastards.
Will
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