The Jambos chief doesn’t want to see an influx of this type of deal in Scottish football
Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay has voiced his opposition to Scottish clubs’ involvement in multi-club ownership groups amid Hibs’ talks with Bournemouth owner Bill Foley.
The Hibees are close to securing minority investment from the American billionaire and yesterday issued an update to state that “positive talks” had been held with with the SFA over overcoming strict guidelines about multiple investments in different clubs. The first stage of planning has been completed with the governing body and the Easter Road club will now advance to the next stage of the process.
Across the city, the Jambos chief has been watching on with interest and insists there is concern among some within Scottish football about a move in the direction of multi-ownership. And he says his personal view is that it would be best avoiding going down the route of Scottish clubs being involved at the bottom rung of these pyramids.
Speaking after his own club’s AGM, McKinlay said: “I think there’s a discussion that has to take place within Scottish football, in the corridors of power but also amongst the clubs. Up until now there’s been a dual interest rule which everyone knows about, which has prevented investment coming in.
“But there’s a realisation, or a view of some, that we have to think carefully about that. I think we do have to think carefully though in the sense of whatever you do, that will become the new norm.
“I personally wouldn’t like Scotland to become just a league of smaller clubs in multi-club groups.”
Hibs’ statement yesterday read: “Hibernian FC can confirm that the Club met with the Scottish FA Board on Thursday 14 December, 2023 to discuss a minority investment proposal.
“The positive meeting saw Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell outline the proposal and discuss the benefits for Hibs and Scottish football moving forward.
“The Club looks forward to the next stage of the process, which is submitting a formal request for the approval of dual interest dispensation against article 13.
“There will be no further comment at this time.”
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