Setanta deal criticised

RANGERS chief David Murray has launched a stinging criticism of the SPL for agreeing a television deal with Setanta Sport rather than the BBC.

Murray said he feared Scottish football could “end up in a Nationwide situation” and criticised the SPL for declaring the deal was done before Setanta’s resources had been fully investigated.

SPL auditors are still carrying out due diligence to satisfy themselves about Dublin-based Setanta’s accounts, but the governing body have already announced that a £35 million, four-year deal has been agreed in principle.

Nine SPL clubs voted to accept Setanta’s offer at a Hampden board meeting last month, with only Rangers and Celtic voting against and Dundee United abstaining.

The deal will see the SPL receive £8 million for 2004-05, then £8.5 million, £9 million and £9.5 million over the remaining years of the deal.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said his club voted against because the deal was too long. Rangers and Celtic are united in their belief that Scottish football’s market value is at an all-time low, and that it is foolish to commit to a four-year deal with Setanta at the moment because broadcasters may be willing to pay far more in two or three years’ time. The SPL are confident that the due diligence process will proceed without a hitch.