By Graeme Strachan

TWO NORTH-EAST MSPs will lead an emergency investigation into the poor state of Scottish football, prompted by a financial crisis which has left Dundee, Livingston and Motherwell fighting for survival.

Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam and North-East list MSP Richard Baker—both Aberdeen fans—have been appointed Scotland’s first football tsars by Holyrood’s enterprise and culture committee.

They were elected as “reporters” to undertake an investigation and commission a report to be completed for the summer recess, aimed at pulling the national game back from the brink.

Three SPL clubs are in administration and the total debt of clubs in the SPL is estimated to be around £200 million.

The report will examine:

* The financial advice available to football clubs and supporters’ organisations.

* Supporters’ involvement in decision-making.

* The Executive’s actions to support the development of Scottish football.

The probe will also consider the structure of football and club ownership, such as mutualisation, in other European countries as well as the type of support provided by public authorities.

Meetings will be held, with among others, representatives of football clubs, football authorities, supporters’ organisations, football trusts, financial institutions, community groups and Executive officials.

Mr Adam, a Dons fan since the 50s, is a shareholder and season-ticket holder at Pittodrie. Mr Baker supports Aberdeen and Hearts. It was his call for an investigation which sparked the probe.

Several MSPs have aired fears Scottish football faces a financial crisis and other clubs are on the verge of collapse. Dundee FC revealed to its creditors at a meeting in Dens Park that its gross debts are £22,903,804.

Opposition MSPs called for Scottish football to be reshaped along Scandinavian lines, with the focus on grass roots development and structural reform.

With Dundee, Livingston and Motherwell all forced into administration, and fears for the future of Dunfermline, MSPs debated the state of the national game in the Scottish Parliament in February.

First Minister Jack McConnell previously insisted the Executive would not bail out football clubs in financial difficulty.