It looks to be back to normality for the pyramid system as the SPFL announce that the League Two play-offs between Brora Rangers, Kelty Hearts and club 42 will continue, amid talk of league expansion and Celtic and Rangers colts teams.
Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts were declared Highland and Lowland League champions this season, having not played all of their matches. Celtic and Rangers colts were put forward an alternative to expand the league to 16 teams alongside Brora and Kelty coming into the division, coming at the expense of the play-offs.
Brora and Kelty have their chance. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images)
There has been intense pressure on the SPFL to announce whether or not the match between Highland and Lowland League champions would happen this season. Clubs in League Two have asked for the game to be called off but it has been confirmed the winner of the tie will play League Two’s bottom club for an SPFL place next season, likely Brechin City.
League Two looks to have a normal structure next season without expansion, Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell saying: “The principle of the Scottish football pyramid is of huge importance to the integrity of open competition.
“It was vital, given the implications for all three clubs, that the respective organisations took all practicable steps to ensure that the play-offs could take place. We are delighted that the decision by the judge corresponded with the view of the Scottish FA and provides the necessary clarity to the league bodies and certainty to those clubs affected.”
Maxwell has hailed the move. (Photo by Bruce White/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the SPFL, said: “Like so many aspects of our sport, both the clubs and the SPFL have been in uncharted territory as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19.
“We are 100% committed to the principle of the sporting pyramid but were understandably keen to ensure that any decisions reached were both fair and in accordance with the rules and agreements of all four organisations.
“We therefore worked with the Scottish FA to conduct an arbitration in front of a senior judge and are very pleased that the position has been definitively clarified, and that this season’s Pyramid Play-Off Matches will proceed as normal.”
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