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Rangers boss Gerrard calls for probe into Scottish league after vote

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has demanded an investigation into the Scottish Professional Football League, saying it had made an "absolute mess" of its end-of-season proposal.

Dundee on Wednesday reversed an earlier intention to reject the SPFL's contentious plans to end the Scottish season below the Premiership level due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning the resolution achieved the numbers required to pass.

It means the Championship, League One and League Two campaigns will be curtailed early and decided on a points-per-game basis, with Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers declared champions.

Partick Thistle and Stranraer will be relegated under the proposals, which could see bottom-placed Premiership club Hearts also drop, should the SPFL board decide the top-flight season cannot resume.

Rangers had previously called for the suspension of SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster over the plan and Gerrard wants a probe into how the organisation handled the divisive situation.

"From afar the SPFL looks an absolute mess," Gerrard told Sky Sports on Thursday, calling for chairperson Murdoch MacLennan to show "real leadership".

"I think what he has to do now, because there are so many accusations and doubts and questions about this institution, he needs to allow an independent investigation into the set-up, to prove everyone wrong and make sure there is fairness, and transparency across the board in Scotland."

Hearts owner Ann Budge was also left furious by the vote.

In a lengthy statement on the club website, Budge said: "Yesterday afternoon's announcement that Dundee FC has re-cast its vote, in support of the SPFL's written resolution of 8th April, leaves me both disillusioned and bitterly disappointed.

"It is now of paramount importance that we do not give up in our efforts to right this wrong."

The SPFL said ending the season was the only way prize money due to cash-stricken clubs could be released.

But Partick Thistle, facing relegation from the Championship, have already sought legal action while Stranraer, who will go down from League One, described the decision as "grossly unfair".

Clubs facing relegation could still be saved by further talks over league reconstruction.

A popular proposal among clubs and fans would see two teams promoted to the top four leagues and no side relegated.

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