Ian Murray: SPFL let everyone down - change is vital even if Hearts might deserve relegation

Former FoH chairman says vote became a ‘complete farce’

Former Foundation of Hearts chairman Ian Murray is dismayed by the SPFL.

Former Foundation of Hearts chairman Ian Murray MP today labelled the Scottish Professional Football League a laughing stock after the recent voting debacle.

The Labour politician, now Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, is a lifelong Hearts supporter and admitted his club, on balance, may well deserve to be relegated to the Championship.

They sit four points adrift at the foot of the Premiership and face demotion after Dundee finally cast the decisive vote on proposals to end the Scottish football season immediately.

However, Murray stated that the whole episode has let fans down after the Tayside club planned to reject the proposal, only to change tack and vote in favour. He now wants change at the top of Scottish football but isn’t convinced that will happen.

The Premiership remains suspended as it stands but will be brought to an end later this month if UEFA agree. The Championship, League One and League Two have been terminated early with promotion, relegation and prize money determined by average points per game.

Murray is unhappy at the decision to call the campaign early and stated prize money could easily have been issued regardless. “The SPFL has become a laughing stock, with those in charge presiding over a complete farce,” he complained.

“Common sense and putting fans first has never been high up on the governing body’s agenda, and this shambolic process has proved that.

“I’ve no idea why the SPFL couldn’t pay out the money based on current positions and, if necessary, adjust it at a later date when circumstances are clearer – rather than imposing potentially disastrous relegations on clubs that could send them to the wall.

“As a passionate Hearts fan, I know that if any club deserves on balance to be relegated this season it is probably Hearts, but there are still eight games to play. This has to be about the wider game, the fans and sporting integrity.

“Those who are supposed to be the custodians of our national game have let everyone down and there needs to be a fundamental change in how our national sport is run.

“We’ve been talking about it for decades without any real progress. Unfortunately, I won’t hold my breath.”