Scottish Championship side Hibernian insists that it is not involved in a "cash grab" with a proposal to "change the rules over the distribution of play-off funds," according to Chris McLaughlin of the BBC. All 42 Scottish Professional Football League clubs will vote on April 23 on a motion from Hibernian, its Edinburgh rival Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell. The three clubs "want to halve the amount of Premiership play-off gate receipts going to the league." League bosses have recommended that the clubs "vote against the proposal." But Hibs CEO Leeann Dempster said, "No club will
receive less from the playoff levy this season than they did last
season." Current rules state that 50% of the cash generated through gate
receipts "goes to the SPFL, with every club not involved in the games
getting a share." Hibs' proposal would reduce that to 25% and "the difference in cash distributed" could be as much as £500,000 ($741,400) (BBC, 4/15). In London, Stephen McGowan reported faced with the "possible loss of substantial sums from two lucrative matches," Hibs Chair Rod Petrie has "garnered support from Hearts and Motherwell for a resolution to slash the profits" levied from playoff finalists. One "senior club figure" said that the Hibs, Hearts and Motherwell proposal was "outrageous." The source said, "The agreement two years ago was that the clubs from the bottom three divisions would get more of the money. ... Now there is a move by people with vested interests to say 'we might be doing ourselves out of a bit of money!' And they are attempting to revisit it." One Easter Road source said, "A rule change has been introduced by the SPFL stopping clubs allowing their season ticket holders into the playoff games for free. ... In addition, there was no television money in place for the playoffs last year while this year they have secured six-figure revenues to go round the clubs" (DAILY MAIL, 4/14).
HIBERNIAN LODGES COMPLAINT: The PA reported Hibernian has complained to the SPFL after playoff rivals Rangers "were given an extension to the league season." Rangers' final Championship game, against Hearts at Tynecastle, was moved back to May 3, 24 hours after Hibernian closes its regular season against Falkirk. Hibs will now seek Falkirk's permission to "move their final game, which would then have implications on Queen of the South, who are also aiming to make the top four" (PA, 4/15).
