Scottish Professional Football League Chair Ralph Topping branded Hampden Park an "anachronism," no longer fit for purpose, according to Stephen Mcgowan of the Scottish DAILY MAIL. Scotland's national stadium hosts Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia but the Scottish FA is "considering moving Scotland games away from Mount Florida" when its 20-year lease ends in three years’ time. Rental talks between the governing body and owner Scottish League One side Queen’s Park are "due to commence next year." The SFA "already warned, however, that ‘all options’ are on the table" -- including quitting Scottish football’s "spiritual home" for the last 114 years. Scheduled to stand down from the boards of the SFA and SPFL this summer, Topping will not "be part of the final negotiation on Hampden’s future" beyond Euro 2020. Topping: "Hampden is an anachronism in this day and age. ... There is nothing there that could make you say it’s a national stadium or take a sharp intake of breath. You don’t look at Hampden and go, 'What a fantastic stadium, what a great environment for fans.'" The SFA currently pays a "six-figure sum for annual rental of the stadium" to Queen’s Park. Hampden business rates "are expected to increase" by £350,000 ($437,150) as part of a government revaluation (DAILY MAIL, 3/20).
