UEFA cool on Celtic, Rangers switch plans
UEFA have warned Celtic and Rangers that they will only consider allowing the clubs to move south if there is agreement from all parties involved.
Even in that event, their right to qualify for Europe through a ‘foreign’ league would have to be ‘‘looked at very carefully’’ before it could be ratified.
UEFA spokesman Mike Lee told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘‘There is nothing for UEFA to consider at the moment. Until or unless there is agreement between the Scottish Football Association and the English Football Association there isn’t really a proposal on the table.
‘‘We believe clubs should play in their own country, that’s what association football is based on and that for Celtic and Rangers is Scotland.
‘‘That would be our strong preference, but if there is agreement from all parties it would have to be looked at. Our policy is based on the way football is organised clubs can’t pick and choose how they qualify for Europe.’’
Rangers chairman David Murray yesterday expressed his desire to continue discussions with the English Football League about the possibility of Division One, but League chief executive David Burns said there was no need for them to allow the Old Firm clubs to join at a time when the league was enjoying great popularity.
And Lee added that even if the domestic parties could come to some agreement, the prospect of either Celtic or Rangers qualifying for Europe through English competitions would be a separate issue for discussion.
‘‘We have control through our European competitions and for Rangers and Celtic that’s the key,’’ Lee said.
‘‘If there is agreement between everybody concerned, and in that I include the English FA and the Premier League we would have to look very carefully at that to ensure the integrity of the competitions is maintained and that clubs come through it in the proper way.’’
SPL chairman Lex Gold also reiterated that the clubs would most likely need to serve a two-year notice period before quitting the domestic scene north of the border, but welcomed fresh talks about how the existing 12 SPL clubs could discuss moving forward within their current structure.
He said: ‘‘No approach has been made from the Nationwide League or Rangers and Celtic about the two-year notice they would need to leave the league.
‘‘It’s clear they have ambition and we at the Premier League are not against change provided it is ordered and considered.
‘‘Mike Lee’s quite right in describing the hurdles that need to be cleared and he’s quite right to say it needs clearing with the leagues concerned and those are the first stages.
‘‘We still have no media deals and I’m trying to bring all 12 clubs together again so we can discuss these things within the league in a sensible and balanced fashion.’’
