HAMPDEN CHIEF PLAYS DOWN FEARS

THE SFA would never allow dual ownership where it could cost Scottish clubs a place in Europe, Mike Mulraney has insisted.

- BY SCOTT BURNS

Co-Leeds United investor, the 49ers Enterprises group, have recently completed their takeover of Rangers, while Brighton owner Tony Bloom and Bournemouth’s holding company Black Knight have invested in Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibs respectively.

SFA chiefs have given these deals the green light but English FA Cup winners Crystal Palace are sweating on their European inclusion for next season because they also have control of Lyon.

Mulraney said: “The other kind of thing we do is we make sure that if ever there is a contention about a dual ownership model whereby the Scottish club would be seen as subordinate, that cannot be.