Ex-Hearts chief had proposal which would have seen club avoid demotion to Championship - reports

Inverness CT were planning on thwarting any title wins and preventing relegation if the SPFL’s resolution presented last month failed, according to the Daily Record.

Former Hearts chief Scot Gardiner, who is now chief executive at the Highlanders, was set to present a proposal for a null and void conclusion.

The Championship runners-up were one of the teams to vote against the league body’s proposal to terminate the second tier and League One and League Two on a points-per-game basis.

They were joined by Partick Thistle and originally Dundee, only for the Dens Park side to change their vote after their initial submission was not received by the SPFL before the organisation released the way voting had went on Friday, April 10.

It is reported that Gardiner had a proposition to present to the member clubs if the resolution did not meet the required 75 per cent approval threshold, which was akin to a null and void option.

It would have likely seen Hearts spared any concern over demotion to the Championship, also saving Partick Thistle and Stranraer from a similar fate. In turn, Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers would not have been promoted and Celtic not crowned Premiership champions.

Dundee’s change in stance saw the SPFL’s resolution pass a few days after their initial vote.

The Inverness proposal was referenced by Dunfermline chairman Scott McArthur in a statement where the Pars chief fired back at Gardiner and ICT chairman Ross Morrison over claims of bullying.

In it he said: “It is not only regrettable but extremely embarrassing, that I have to provide this statement following the release of accusatory comments in a Club Statement made by the Chairman and CEO of Inverness, I am sadly now left with no option but to put the record straight.

“The individuals have been very careful not to mention me by name, but their intended target is clearly apparent.

“Since the SPFL director’s resolution was first issued, a number of clubs in the Championship would confirm it is the behaviour of Inverness that has continually been aggressive and confrontational. However, no one felt it necessary to win points in public, as robust conversations take place in the normal course of a competitive business like football.

“Turning to the “allegation” regarding the information that was conveyed by me to Inverness FC, on Friday 10th April 2020.

“As confirmed by their own leaked What’sApp message group, I clearly did so as Dunfermline Athletic FC Chairman and NOT as an SPFL Board Member (as was expressly agreed and verified, before the call with other Championship clubs).

“It most certainly wasn’t a threat, simply a potential consequence of their action not to back the SPFL resolution currently put in front of them, in favour of a counter resolution which was being mooted at that time.

“This resolution would effectively have the same consequence as a “null and void” conclusion to the league season, but the SPFL central distribution monies would still be provided to clubs on their current standing. This was not going to be acceptable to Dunfermline Athletic, Alloa Athletic, Greenock Morton, Queen of the South and Arbroath.”

The Daily Record report that Inverness’ proposal would have seen the club lose out on potentially £175,000.