Falkirk fail to win reprieve
Friday, June 27, 2003
Article summary
Falkirk FC have lost their appeal against a ruling denying them promotion to the Scottish Premier League.
Article body
Decision upheld
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) last night upheld the SPL's decision to refuse Falkirk promotion on the grounds their stadium plans did not satisfy league criteria.
'Falkirk refused'
After ten hours of talks at Hampden Park, SFA chief executive David Taylor said: "The appeal by Falkirk Football Club against the decision by the SPL has been refused."
Ground share
Falkirk had proposed a ground share at Airdrie United FC's Shyberry Excelsior stadium next season. The club's own Brockville stadium does not meet SPL standards, while the new stadium they are building will not be ready until the 2004/05 campaign.
Motherwell safe
An SFA committee deemed that SPL members had acted legally. The block on promotion ensures top-flight status for Motherwell FC, the SPL's bottom club in 2002/03.