Clubs agree to SPL2

The Scottish Premier League today announced its member clubs had agreed to begin “detailed work” on the formation of a second tier.

Officials from the 12 SPL clubs met at Hampden to discuss the creation of SPL2 and it appears they have given the concept the go-ahead.

SPL secretary Iain Blair said: “It is almost three years since we tabled the proposal for change.

“Our aim is to complete this process, which is likely to involve discussion with the Scottish Football League, by the summer.”

The SFL had originally opposed a bid to introduce an SPL2, which would see the creation of a new top-flight structure of 22 clubs playing in two divisions.

It claimed this would breach a previous agreement between the two bodies.

That settlement agreement, set up in 1998, detailed issues such as promotion, relegation and parachute payments.

Last month, a Scottish Football Association arbitration panel concluded a second tier would not breach the agreement.

Blair added today that the clubs had agreed to hold further talks.

“This is the beginning of a process, not the end,” he said.