Plans to vote on new Scottish Conference League withdrawn by SFA
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A vote on plans to create a new Scottish Conference League which would be installed between League Two and the Highland League has been withdrawn by the SFA.
Football clubs have been informed a planned vote on the proposed division, which would have had colts teams from Premiership clubs, as well as clubs from the Highland League and Lowland League in a new 10-team division, will now not take place tomorrow at the SFA AGM.
The SFA says after receiving feedback, it will carry out further consultation to ensure best development opportunities in the pyramid system.
The planned division, if it was given approval, would have been placed at tier five level, above the Highland League and Lowland League.
It is thought the division would have had colts teams from Celtic, Hearts and Rangers, along with invited teams from the Lowland League and Highland League.
But the plans were met with dissent and criticism from clubs across the Scottish pyramid system.
A number of Highland League clubs, including Nairn County, Clachnacuddin, Brora Rangers and Wick Academy voiced against the planned Scottish Conference.
The email, which was sent from the SFA Chief Governance Officer Gary Booth to football clubs this afternoon said: "I refer to Resolution 7 in the Notice of the Scottish FA's 2023 Annual General Meeting, sent to members on 12 May 2023.
"Resolution 7 seeks approval (in accordance with Scottish FA Article 18.1) for the formation of The Scottish Conference League as a recognised football body.
"The Scottish FA board has received a variety of feedback in respect of Resolution 7 and has concluded that it would like to carry out further consultation in respect of the player pathway to ensure the best development opportunities for Scottish players within the football pyramid.
The Scottish FA Board has therefore resolved to withdraw Resolution 7 from the business to be transacted at the Annual General Meeting on 6 June 2023."
