Political intervention requested

Youth Performance League: politicians across all parties receive representations.

In an attempt to overturn the decision to demote Dundee, Dunfermline Athletic and Ross County from the Youth Performance League, the three Scottish Football League clubs have taken the matter up at political level. Dunfermline have been assisted by John Park MSP and Jim Tolson MSP but with other clubs contacting their local politicians representations will be made across all parties.  The Holyrood MSPs are aware of what the clubs feel is an injustice.

Jim Leishman attended the  Heads of Youth meeting with SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smith on Monday.  What was clear from the meeting was that there was much unity and feelings of unfairness at the demotion of Dundee, Dunfermline Athletic and Ross County from the Youth Performance to the Youth Initiative League.  The decision was made by the Scottish professional football committee and ratified by the four-man emergency committee on appeal,

The clubs put their case to Gordon Smith, he listened and saw that there were a great many disgruntled club representatives.  There appeared little he could do about it however given the statement from George Peat, President of the Scottish Football Association:-

"They can talk to the sports minister, the first minister or even the prime minister, the decision will not change.  Otherwise we would be as well tearing up the rules."

Failure to update and submit on time their certificates adhering to the Disclosure Scotland Act, pertaining to child protection saw Ross County and the Pars demoted. Dundee suffered the same fate for failing to have two youth coaches in possession of the relative disclosure documentation at three separate audits.

Speaking after the meeting Jim Leishman assured:- "We are putting all resources into this in an effort to resolve the situation."