Plan to create enlarged Scottish Premier League for 2013/14 unveiled

Plans to overhaul the number of teams in the SPL for 2013/14 have been unveiled.SNS Group

Scotland’s three football governing bodies have unveiled plans to increase the number of teams in the Scottish Premier League for the 2013/14 season.

The proposal, which includes a possible top flight of 16 clubs if desired, forms part of a four-point plan unveiled by the Scottish FA, the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League following a series of discussions.

Other measures include changing the number of leagues, matches per season and the introduction of play-offs.

The introduction of a pyramid system for Scottish football by 2014/15 has also been mooted.

On Wednesday, SFL chief executive David Longmuir revealed he would send a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between the three bodies to his members to consider before Friday’s vote.

In regard to implementing the proposals, a joint statement read: “A working party will be formed, including three representatives from both the SPL and SFL, to devise a new structure for the senior professional game in Scotland.

“This group will have an independent Chairman appointed by the Scottish FA. They will be tasked with delivering by 30th November, 2012, a recommendation for structural change effective 2013/14.”

The SPL would increase to 14 teams for the beginning of season 2013/14, with the mechanism put in place to add two more at a later date.

The document also proposes the creation of a Football League board comprising of three representatives from the top tier and two from the other clubs.

If the proposals are approved and a team wants to make further changes after 2013/14 then they would need to gain 75% support from lower league sides.

View the statement in full here

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