SPL clubs to discuss proposal for new 16-team top tier

Last updated on .From the section Football

Scotland's major clubs are pursuing plans for a new 16-team top tier but will not be swallowed up by the Scottish Football League.
All 12 SPL clubs will meet to discuss the issue with a new league of 16 top of the agenda.
The SFL proposes a set-up that would involve SPL clubs giving up their power and merging with the lower leagues.
But SPL sources have told BBC Scotland that there is no chance of their clubs agreeing to the plans.
The SPL's recent discussions on reconstruction ended in stalemate and were put on hold following the Rangers crisis.
Clubs believe a league of 16 is the popular choice of the fans but have always been held back by a broadcasting contract that insisted on four Old Firm matches a season.
However, with Rangers now in Division Three, that is no longer an issue.
Another option being discussed is an SPL 2 format, with two leagues of 12 teams.
Clubs will meet on 3 December and there could be a show of hands.
Should there be broad agreement, there may even be change as early as next season.
Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan has revealed that SFL counterpart David Longmuir's proposal for leagues of 16, 10 and 18 had already been discussed with the professional game board, the body made up by the three governing bodies.

SFL clubs meet to discuss the plan on Wednesday and will report on the response to the professional game board later this month, when the SPL is also expected to give its response.
"If it's a proposal that the clubs are interested in taking forward then we would certainly be part of the group that moves it to the next stage," said Regan.
"We remain committed to reconstruction. The leagues remain committed to reconstruction, but that will only happen if the clubs are comfortable with the direction of travel and the proposal on the table.
"Reconstruction has been on the agenda for two years. Just after I came to the Scottish FA, it was part of the Henry McLeish report.
"A number of proposals have been tabled by the SPL. We've had debates going on for months and months.
"I think there's always going to be differences of opinion on any matter involving reconstruction. That has been the case for two years.
"The various iterations that have been put forward have been debated at length and will continue to be debated at length.
"Once we have consensus on a way forward then the professional game board will be the body that takes it to the next step."
Longmuir's plan would involve the existing SPL and SFL clubs, plus second teams for Celtic and Rangers.
He said: "We've been working with our clubs on ideas and how we might wish to take the game forward and how to improve it.
"We're going to be discussing a proposal that might re-energise and refresh the game and be compelling for fans and create a better structure for the game going forward."
"And to re-engage fans and to give them a compelling league structure which creates a bit of excitement, variety and also engages with investors, broadcasters and sponsors."
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I know there are certain teams that think they could not survive without the OF visiting 3-4 times a year - sorry, but if that's your business plan you should be ashamed. How would you survive relegation?
16 team top tier
2 up/2 down to 16 team second tier
4 up/4 down to four regional leagues third tier
...would it be too sensible to follow this approach?
What I can't understand is the constant bickering of all supporters north of the border. Whether you're Celtic, Rangers, Hearts or Forfar, you all need to pull together for the greater good. Two 18 team divisions with relegation / promotion between the regional leagues is the best way to save your game.
Surely that's not even football? 1 substitution per game? Won't get it past FIFA.
The Portugese, Swedish and Norwegian leagues all have a 16-team, 30-round top tiers.
Whether we like it or not given Scotland's size and current position in world football these are the countries the SFA/SPL/SFL should be modelling themselves on, rather than looking enviously down south...
What nonsense. Most footy fans hate play-offs.
Why can't there be a simple 16-16-16 (Prem Lge, Div 1 & 2), two up/two down format with no play-offs?
This "no competition after half the season" doesn't happen in the Premiership, why should it be any different here?
You create competition by staggering the winnings down the league.
Theres the usual SPL vs SFL thing starting here. Get rid of them both
The 10 stuck in between two 16's is silly. Why not bring in 6 teams from the Highland League and have 16-16-16??
The 3rd tier is known as Division 1 !!
I guess the 16's will play 30 games a season (play opponents twice), and the 10 League will play 38 games (play opponents 4 times)?
I think you are ignoring the great job Neil Doncaster has done for our game. The SPL is a fine product with enduring value ready for sale across the globe. Neil has lead the way in boosting attendance levels and ensuring that the most entertaining product is put on the field. A fine leader who brought us through the Rangers Tax Disaster with confidence and dignity. Profits maximized.