SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has hit back at claims he or anyone within the SPFL bullied clubs during the controversial vote to end the season early.
Rangers called for Doncaster and SPFL legal adviser Rod McKenzie to be suspended and urged an independent inquiry after hearing of accusations of bullying.
Deloitte found no wrongdoing after being appointed by the league to investigate the handling of the shambolic vote which ran on for days after the 5pm deadline on April 10, but Rangers have continued to protest and have garnered support from Hearts and Stranraer for an egm which will be held on May 12.
Doncaster respects the right of any club to call for an investigation but is unhappy his conduct and that of his colleagues has been called into question.
He said: “It has been several weeks since there were calls for Rod and me to be suspended.
“None of us has seen a shred of alleged evidence against us and I think it’s incumbent when you are making serious allegations of bullying that it should be absolutely clear who has been bullied, when and by which member of SPFL staff.
“Anyone who knows the way I have dealt with clubs over the last 10 years would say I’m always respectful, always willing to engage with them whether we disagree or agree and that was the case this time as well.
“If there are accusations that me or anyone on the SPFL staff is bullies I’d like to know when and how and I think anyone alleging that has a duty to come forward and say so.”
When asked if he felt he had been slighted by having his professional conduct called into question the chief executive said: “If anyone who has that sort of accusation made against them tells you they don’t care they are not being honest.
“Anyone who takes pride in what they do, to have such serious accusations levelled against them without any shred of evidence and had requests for them to be suspended would take that very personally even if they have done absolutely nothing wrong and is comfortable with their conduct.
“We have to remember an independent investigation was carried out by Deloitte. They looked at all our telephone records, our texts and emails and found what we said had happened – there was no wrongdoing by SPFL staff with regards to Dundee FC’s return.”
Emotions have been running high among football fans following the conduct of SPFL staff being called into question and Doncaster has again urged Rangers to come forward with evidence to support their claims.
He said: “There are a number of us who have had unpleasant communications. That’s the world we live in. People are passionate about their team and that’s understandable but what isn’t understandable is when it spills over.
“Unfortunately when serious accusations are made people do respond to that.
“If there are allegations it is absolutely incumbent anyone alleging they have been bullied by me or a member of my staff say exactly what it was we are meant to have done.”
