Dundee’s SPFL vote U-turn and ‘trust issues’ that followed were cited by Livingston as the reason they backed Rangers’ call for an independent investigation.
The ballot – also supported publicly by Hearts, Aberdeen, Partick Thistle, Stranraer, Inverness and Stenhousemuir – failed at Tuesday’s extraordinary general meeting with 27 clubs against and 13 in favour while two abstained.
Gers needed 32 teams to get behind their push for a probe into events surrounding last month’s resolution to end the lower-league season and give the SPFL board the authority to do likewise with the Premiership campaign.
The Dark Blues and managing director John Nelms have stayed tight-lipped in the wake of last week’s controversial Ibrox dossier which devoted two sections to the change of heart from Dens Park.
The document also called for SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and legal adviser Rod McKenzie to be suspended amid claims clubs were “bullied” into voting for the resolution – allegations denied by Hampden chiefs.
Livi – who also voiced league reconstruction frustrations – said in a statement: “Livingston Football Club would like to inform our fans of the reasons why we felt it appropriate to vote for an independent investigation, primarily into the process and governance issues that came to the forefront over the last three to four weeks.
“We would also like to emphasise that we were not calling for any resignations or suspensions whilst fully supportive of a thorough independent investigation.
“This has mainly stemmed from trust issues that have arisen and grown since the ‘missing’ Dundee vote.
“Subsequent verbal disagreements that have been played out in the media. This division between clubs has created barriers that we need to try to heal at the earliest opportunity.
“We feel an investigation would have been the first hurdle in a process that would hopefully bring everyone back on the same page.
“When finished, and with clarity provided, this would allow us all to get on with the task in hand which is saving our football clubs with collective action.
“An investigation into the processes and procedures surrounding and emerging from this vote, we felt was paramount to offer a level of transparency which would hopefully allow us all to move forward in tandem.
“Following on from the missing Dundee vote, but linked; it was widely believed that serious dialogue would take place concerning league reconstruction.
“The Joint Response Group put a massive amount of time and energy into this process and we felt it didn’t receive the respect it so deserved.
“In our opinion it was far too briskly dealt with. We voted for the resolution on the understanding that league reconstruction was a distinct possibility but very early in the process it became apparent this was never going to get off the ground. This disappointed us.
“It is our firm belief that no team in Scotland should be adversely affected by the coronavirus crisis that we find ourselves in.
“It’s simply unbelievable that, on top of the challenges we face, we see fellow teams finding themselves relegated while others are adversely affected via being unable to compete for promotion.
“The impact of this could hamper teams for many years to come. We had an opportunity collectively to change the landscape of Scottish football by creating a proper pyramid structure with the introduction of the Highland and Lowland leagues while embracing change and bringing a competitive edge that this introduction would have instilled.
“Instead, we have failed as an organisation in our opinion to grasp the bigger picture and repair the trust breakdown that has been allowed to manifest for weeks if not longer.
“We will, as a club, respect the democratic process and give every club our support going forward.
“Our football club will always be open – our doors and phones lines always open and available to any club that feels they need help.
“There are tougher times ahead and we will only get through this crisis by collective action and with fellow members all working together.”
