Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers have released a joint statement accusing the SPFL of pressuring the Lowland League into rule changes.
The tier five champions are both left fizzing that reconstruction talks have collapsed and it means they won’t be playing league football next campaign.
And they're demanding answers from the SPFL over the 4 way agreement in place about the pyramid playoff and say rule changes have benefited Brechin City, who have their chairman on the league board.
Ken Ferguson is one of the lower league’s representatives and the joint statement insists the Glebe Park club are the only team to benefit from the change.
Normally, the Highland and Lowland League champions would play a playoff to face the bottom club in League Two but that won't happen this season.
The statement says: “It is with extreme disappointment that we learned tonight that SPFL reconstruction talks have collapsed.
“This represents a dark moment for the SFA pyramid with tier 5 champion clubs Brora Rangers and Kelly Hearts being prevented the opportunity of the at the very least a playoff and possible promotion whilst SPFL team 42 has their place in the SPFL secured despite being bottom of the 42 clubs yet three other clubs Hearts, Patrick Thistle and Stranraer are all left unfairly punished in our opinion.
“Today’s events leave another sour taste following recent instances of the Lowland League being pressured by the SPFL into potential rule changes that were proposed to the SPFL by Brechin City FC and their chairman Ken Ferguson who sits on the SPFL board, that rule change would have benefited Brechin City upon any possible relegation out of the SPFL.
“We sincerely hope that the SPFL once again show respect and commitment to the SFA football pyramid like we all the member clubs have at tiers five and below.
"Naturally we will be seeking and taking advice on board and we will ask for some answers, mainly to the SPFL 4 way agreement rule whereby any change to the pyramid playoff would have to be agreed by all four parties - the SFA, SPFL, SLFL and SHFL. We would very much like clarity on that rule.”
