MX23RW : Wednesday, April 24 09:50:31| >> :600:593283:593283:

Raith Rovers call for immediate end to 2019-20 SPFL season

The League One leaders are desperate to begin formal talks over a reorganisation of the league.

Raith Rovers have called for swift action to terminate the season as Dundee continue to ponder their casting vote.

Dundee claimed on Tuesday they had held positive talks over reconstruction and were acting in Scottish football's interests as well as their own.

But League One leaders Rovers have urged the Taysiders to back plans to end the lower three Scottish Professional Football League divisions – and possibly the Premiership at a later date – in order for formal talks over a reorganisation of the league to begin.

A statement read: "We have, from the very start of this process, supported the idea of league reconstruction and have made this clear in all our communications.

"The SPFL documentation received by all clubs on Wednesday 8th April made it clear that declaring the season ended was the only way to achieve distribution of funds and to then proceed to the next stage.

"Several clubs wanted a guarantee that reconstruction would happen – this could not be given as it is not within the gift of the SPFL.

"Any decision on reconstruction requires a vote by all 42 member clubs. We were clear that this had to happen as soon as possible after the first vote."

Rovers would back an extended Premiership of 14 teams with Highland League champions Brora and newly-crowned Lowland League title winners Kelty Hearts joining League Two.

"However, this cannot be considered until stage one of the process is completed," they said.

"Our position is clear! We want the 2019-20 season declared over, funds distributed and discussion about reconstruction to start very soon.

"Any attempt to deem the 2019/20 season null and void and deny us being named as winners of League 1 and/or not promoted will be vigorously resisted."

However, Partick Thistle had earlier claimed their legal advice was that Dundee's initial 'no' vote – which arrived with the SPFL after they asked for more time – must stand.

The SPFL board is set to hold further talks on Wednesday over the impasse.

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General view of Dens Park, home to Dundee, from 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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