SFL: Three games could be deemed void

The Scottish Football League today announced all of tomorrow’s opening game of the season would take place – but with the results of three fixtures being deemed provisional.

In the latest twist in the Livingston saga, the SFL appeared to be in danger of making a mockery of their own competition by declaring the outcome of Ross County v Airdrie United, Cowdenbeath v Arbroath and East Stirlingshire v Livingston could be rendered void.

That is because Livingston were today still deciding whether to appeal their relegation from the First to the Third Division for breaching the league’s insolvency rules.

Livi were punished for beginning the process of administration, which resulted in Airdrie being promoted from the Second Division and Cowdenbeath from the third.

Wednesday’s decision by the SFL’s management committee has divided Scottish football, with some of Livingston’s rivals claiming the debt-ridden club only had themselves to blame, while others have branded relegation too harsh.

There were also concerns about the knock-on effect for the fixture list and those fears appear to have been realised, but not in the manner first thought.

It is believed the SFL had considered postponing tomorrow’s fixtures involving Livingston, Airdrie and Cowdenbeath.

Livi were given 10 days to appeal their punishment and the consortium looking to buy the club announced yesterday they expected to make a decision on that front today.

But the SFL have not been prepared to wait for the outcome of talks between the club’s interim manager Donald McGruther and the Livingston 5 Ltd consortium led by former Cowdenbeath owner Gordon McDougall, ex-Dumbarton chairman Neil Rankine and ex-Livi director Ged Nixon.

SFL chief executive David Longmuir said: “The Scottish Football League would like to thank its member clubs, partners and supporters for their understanding and their patience in what has been an extremely difficult and complex set of circumstances.”