DUFC

SPL 10 TENDER RESIGNATIONS

31st July 2002

Ten of Scotland's leading Clubs today confirmed that they are to tender their resignations from the Scottish Premier League within the next 24 hours.

The Ten - Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Dunfermline, Hearts, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Livingston, Motherwell and Partick Thistle - have taken this action because of the failure, to date, to reach agreement with Rangers and Celtic on the Ten's proposals for a fairer governance of the top flight of Scottish football.

A meeting of the 12 clubs was today adjourned after it became apparent during discussions that both Old Firm Clubs felt it was premature for the Clubs to vote on the proposal at this time.

A further meeting is to be held once outstanding media deals are tied up in an effort to thrash out an agreement. This follows lengthy and exhaustive negotiations between the two sides over the past two-and-a-half months.

Today Chris Robinson said: " We have had an exhaustive series of meetings and negotiations throughout which the Ten Clubs have put forward proposals and information papers, and sought to drive towards a solution.

"The Ten Clubs have agreed to adjourn today's meeting and to have one final effort at seeking a negotiated settlement. However, in order to protect our position should these talks fail we have also agreed to submit our resignations."