Reports have suggested that plans are set to pass for a new Conference League in Scotland that will include B teams from some of the country's top clubs.
The idea appeared to be the most plausible option of three put forward by a pyramid working group, with the aim of shoehorning Premiership Colt teams into the Scottish leagues.
The aim is to provide Scotland's young talent with a platform to showcase their talent in a competitive league format to help to address a current ‘development gap’.
Here is everything you need to know about the new division...
What level will the new Conference League sit?
The new Conference League will be positioned just under the current professional leagues in Scotland. It will be the next tier under League Two.
At tier five in the Scottish football pyramid, it would sit above the Lowland and Highland leagues.
What teams will be included in the new Conference League?
If plans are passed the new Conference League would include six teams from the Lowland and Highland leagues as well as four Colt sides from the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hearts are currently signed up. The rest of the SPFL will vote on the proposals at the upcoming SFA AGM.
How will the Conference League work?
The Conference League will likely start from the 2024/2025 season, though there has been calls to bring that forward to next season.
The proposed plans mean Colt teams cannot be promoted, leaving the Lowland and Highland league sides to battle it out for a place to face League Two's bottom side in a promotion/relegation play-off showdown.
Will it be connected to the SPFL and how will it be funded?
The Conference League will be a separate identity to the SPFL. This means organisers will be free to exploit their own commercial rights, instead of being involved with the top four divisions.
The league will be funded by the Premiership clubs each having to pay £100,000 for their Colt teams to be involved.
Has there been negativity around the Conference League?
The short answer? Yes. Many view the plan for the new league as a kick in the teeth for many Lowland and Highland League teams with their route to the professional pyramid partially blocked by the new division.
Despite this, the plans that were put together by the Pyramid Working Group, are set to pass with just 51 per cent of the member clubs vote needed.
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