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Celtic welcome rejection of investigation into SPFL vote to end season

Celtic have welcomed the decision of Scottish clubs to reject an independent inquiry into the SPF...



Celtic welcome rejection of in...
Soccer

Celtic welcome rejection of investigation into SPFL vote to end season

Celtic have welcomed the decision of Scottish clubs to reject an independent inquiry into the SPFL vote to end the lower-league season.

Twenty-seven out of forty-two clubs voted against the resolution, proposed by Rangers, which was five votes short of the tally needed for it to pass.

There were two abstentions while thirteen clubs backed the Ibrox club who were joined by Hearts and Stranraer in calling for an investigation.

In a statement released this evening, Celtic say that they are happy "that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the board or executive" after they passed the vote while also handing the SPFL the power to end the Premiership season early.

"This current crisis is the fault of no individual or organisation and it would be irrational to suggest otherwise," reads the statement.

"It is the duty of everyone committed to the future of our game to make the best of this awful situation, and not the worst."

In total, four Premiership, one Championship and eight clubs from Leagues One and Two voted in favour of the resolution.

"Celtic Football Club welcomes the decisive vote by SPFL clubs to reject a lawyer-led inquiry into the processes relating to the resolution approved last month with support from the vast majority of clubs," the statement continues.

"We are satisfied that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the board or executive and do not consider that such an inquiry is necessary.

"We now appeal to all clubs to look to the future in the knowledge that the threats which exist to the fabric of Scottish football are grave and unprecedented.

"All of our energies should be applied to planning for the return of the game in season 2020-21 and to the financial survival of all our clubs."

Clubs were originally balloted after Scottish football was suspended in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic, about ending the Championship and Leagues One and Two and awarding titles on an average points basis.

The resolution also proposed giving the power to the SPFL to end the Premiership season early if there is no way of playing the remaining 49 matches.

That ballot ended in contoversy when Dundee originally submitted a no vote which the league said was never received, before changing it to a yes vote.

If the vote had been no the resolution would not have passed but after an investigation into Dundee's vote, auditors Deloitte found no evidence of wrongdoing.

SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan has told The Scotsman that he wants to see Premiership football returning by the end of July.

Celtic have also stated the Glasgow's club intention to play its part in helping to get the league back on track as soon as it is safe to do so.

"Although Celtic are not directly involved in issues of promotion and relegation, we have great sympathy for clubs which will end up in a lower division.

"While we have been supportive of temporary reconstruction, Celtic also understands the position of clubs who do not support league reconstruction at this time.

"We recognise the hugely damaging effects that measures to counter the pandemic are inflicting on football clubs of all sizes across Scotland, Europe and beyond.

"It is the duty of everyone with the interests of football at heart to work for the greater good of securing the future of our sport.

"In that spirit, Celtic will play our part in ensuring the earliest possible safe return to something approaching normality.

"Our highest priority is the safety of our players and supporters and we are acutely aware that Scottish football’s current difficulties represent only a tiny part of the challenges faced by society as a whole."

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Celtic Hearts Murdoch MacLennan Rangers SPFL