Is the SPL's TV deal fit and proper?

The confirmation of today's vote by the SPL clubs not to admit the new Rangers into the league next season, means that the Ibrox club will be playing in the SFL - but at what level?

The vote by the SFL on the 12 July looks at the moment like it will lead to a place in Division Three for the 'newco', if current public statements by various SFL clubs is anything to go by.

But the SFL are lobbying their members to agree to have Rangers accepted into Division One next season. This would appear to go against the normal procedures for clubs who apply for membership of the SFL - why would a club be given immediate membership at Division One level?

Payments to the SFL from the SPL of £2 million per year will apparently dry up, according to a statement from Clyde FC today.

That payment will be reliant upon the continuation of TV money being paid to the SPL. The latest deal was agreed in November 2011, beginning 2012/13 season for five years. The scenario of Rangers not being available to SKy and ESPN viewers as part of this deal is supposedly putting this agreement in jeopardy.

The BBC reported in February 2012 that if Rangers were not a part of the SPL, then this deal could be scuppered, claiming that "Its [the SPL] TV deal includes a clause stipulating the participation of both Celtic and Rangers in the SPL".

That statement should ring alarm bells; anyone who has ever shouted "Who's the mason in the black?" at a game when their side has played Rangers may have done so in jest, but consider this scenario -

The last game of the season - Rangers/Celtic lie second bottom of the division, with the bottom club winning their last game comfortably, and the Glasgow giant are losing. With five minutes of the last game of the season to go, one of the Old Firm are looking like relegation fodder.

But, they are on the attack - their star striker goes down in the penalty area, claiming a dubious penalty.

What does the referee do? Everyone knows he should make the right decision by what he sees, but really, he knows that his decision might put the future of Scottish football in jeopardy.

If he gives the penalty, and it is scored, then the SPL retains its TV rights. If he doesn't and the Old Firm are split for a season, then millions of pounds are lost to the game.

I know, it is highly unlikely. But, the fact that a sporting body have agreed with broadcasters that certain clubs will be playing in their competition, brings into disrepute those involved in that decision, and puts under scrutiny all decisions made which come into question the integrity of officials across Scotland.

Let's hope that Rangers, playing through the three SFL divisions, bring some financial reward to those smaller clubs who struggle along each year, while at the same time, the rest of the SPL can become a competitive league once more.