Setanta end spells fresh SPL worries

SPL clubs have been warned they face a fight for survival if they fail to find a bidder to match Setanta’s lost millions.

Setanta have been plunged into administration with the loss of about 200 jobs, including former Dons striker Scott Booth who was a pundit with the Irish broadcasters.

SPL chief Lex Gold confirmed that their deal with Setanta has been terminated.

The SPL have now opened talks with American giants ESPN concerning a rescue package.

But there has been a chilling warning that the implications will reverberate throughout Scottish football.

Football finance expert David Glen, of PriceWaterhouseCooper’s said: “If a television backer isn’t found then administration will be an inevitability for some clubs.

“If clubs in the SPL get an average of £1 million a year for television and that accounts for 30% of their income, it stands to reason they will struggle without that money.

“The free-spending days have long gone for clubs and signings will have to come from Bosman deals.”

Meanwhile, fight promoter Tommy Gilmour insists the demise of Setanta will also hit boxing.

And Gilmour claims Setanta offered to cover newly-crowned Lee McAllister’s first Commonwealth lightweight title defence.

He said: “Everyone has been focusing on the problems Setanta’s demise will cause our football clubs, but boxing will also have casualties.

“I had been made a silly offer by Setanta for them to televise McAllister’s first defence of his Commonwealth belt.

“He will defend his belt, but will not get nearly the same money from Sky.”