Scots football clubs say their existence is at risk if they are forced to comply with floodlight demands by the sport’s governing body.
The SFA has told senior sides they must install them or face being barred from the Scottish Cup.
But some clubs say the rules could leave at risk of closure with massive bills.
Vale of Leithen FC in Peeblesshire say adding floodlights could cost them £50,000. Club vice-chairman John Anderson said: “It’s a lot of money – potentially it could end the club.”
Chairman Stewart Robertson added: “This will cripple us.”
Some clubs rely on annual payouts from the SFA and say paying for the floodlights will result in less money being spent on team development.
Whitehill Welfare FC in Midlothian say the new demands will put their youth side at risk. Club secretary John Quinn said: “How can that be good for grassroots football or developing the club?”
Josh Thorley, treasurer of Wigtown and Bladnoch FC in Wigtownshire, said: “Unless we can replace the money we receive from the SFA with alternative income, we face the prospect of losing our club.”
An SFA spokesman said: “One of the key goals of our licensing department is for continuous improvement, therefore the introduction of floodlights across all clubs will help raise the standards of the game in Scotland.”
