FIFA would not block Old Firm move

FIFA say they will not stand in the way of Celtic and Rangers joining the English Nationwide League provided the move is cleared…

FIFA say they will not stand in the way of Celtic and Rangers joining the English Nationwide League provided the move is cleared by the relevant national and international bodies.

Scotland's two biggest clubs were left in limbo yesterday when the country's remaining 10 top-flight clubs announced their intention to resign from the Scottish Premier League in two years' time following recent disharmony.

Celtic and Rangers' ambitious plans to join other leagues have faced stern opposition in the past, but world football's governing body have suggested if the proposals are welcome elsewhere then they will be satisfied with that.

A FIFA spokesman told PA Sport: "This is a local issue so this a matter for Scotland and England first.

READ MORE

"If everybody agrees for example there is no need for us to intervene.

"Now if there was a problem in this for many national organisations then we would have to step in, but that's all.

"If everybody agrees in a change then we would be happy to let that go."

UEFA, however, seem to pose the biggest hurdle for the Old Firm if they were to go ahead with plans to move south.

European football's governing body would be reluctant to allow Celtic and Rangers to qualify for the Champions League and the UEFA Cup while down in England and many clubs would be opposed to it.

Scottish clubs, though, would hope to take up their normal allocated places in European competition.

But the scenarios and problems ahead are endless and UEFA are certainly not concerning themselves with the issue until the Old Firm table a proposal.

Spokesman Mike Lee said: "Gerhard Aigner, our chief executive, made it clear last week that clubs have to play within their national association set-up.

"That is the policy of both UEFA and FIFA and there are no proposals on the table for us to consider otherwise.

"There is nothing being brought forward with agreement involving the Scottish Football Association, the English FA and their respective leagues so there's not a lot for UEFA to consider."

But what is certain is that the Old Firm have explored the possibility of a move to England in the past and they were given more hope today by the SPL - who insist they would not stand in their way.

If no resolution can be reached with those rebel clubs then the Old Firm have little option but to look for another league to compete in.

Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond gave Glasgow's big two fresh hope of joining the Nationwide League and told the Scottish Daily Mail: "There has been no approach by either Rangers or Celtic to the Nationwide League.

"The Premiership made it clear they weren't interested in the Old Firm in December.

"The only way Celtic and Rangers can get there, therefore, is via the Football League.

"I have no doubt the vast majority of the chairmen here would welcome Celtic and Rangers, for obvious reasons.

"The rules would probably have to be changed to parachute both clubs into Division One, but I think there is overwhelming support in favour of their application to do that.

"It would have to be approved by both the SPL and SFA - but after yesterday's events I imagine that would now be forthcoming.

"With their support then I can't see any opposition coming either from the Football League or even UEFA.

"But it's up to the Old Firm to make their intentions clear."

The SPL have also told them if they wanted to go through with a move south in two years' time they needed to resign soon.

An SPL spokesman told PA Sport: "The SPL rules state that for any club to leave the league two complete seasons of notice must be served.

"What the clubs do thereafter is their own concern."

Celtic and Rangers are still remaining tight-lipped on their intentions, while plans to join another league will face many daunting hurdles.

PA