No return to ten-team Premiership as SPFL eyes changes to lower divisions

There will be no return to a ten-team Premiership after the SPFL admitted that there was no consensus around changes to the top flight.

Discussions around league reconstruction returned earlier this month after it was revealed that a working group was considering options to change the format of the professional league set-up.

Different proposals were to be discussed, including a 14 or 16-team Premiership or even a return to a ten-team top flight.

The issue was being consideration partly to try and find a way to lower the number of games being played, as an increased number of games in UEFA competition and a busy international calendar had made for a tight schedule with little room to accommodate postponements.

Consideration of a ten-team Premiership proved controversial, with many fans and clubs opposed to a smaller top division, but some within the game believing it was the best option for the future.

The SPFL sub-committee held talks to see what recommendations could be put to member clubs and have reached a conclusion, ruling out any reconstruction that involves changing the size of the Premiership.

However, there is an appetite to look at changes to the other three divisions and a consultation is to take in the views of clubs and others affected.

An SPFL spokesperson said: “The SPFL’s Competitions Working Group met on 29 April to discuss the possibility of league restructuring.

“It was agreed that there was no reasonable prospect of achieving consensus around a new format for the William Hill Premiership.

“There was, however, broad agreement around potential changes to the William Hill Championship, League 1 and League 2.

“These will be worked up with a view to conducting a consultation with clubs and other stakeholders.”

Tha announcement gives certainly about the format of the Premiership at the end of a season where ‘the split’ has ensured a fight to the end of the season to confirm European places, and a hard-fought battle between several teams to avoid relegation.