While Scottish football has been slower than other leagues to see multi-club ownership groups (MCO) enter the market, it is now becoming more prominent. The 2025-2026 season going right to the wire as eventual champions Celtic FC were pushed to the final game by a Heart of Midlothian FC (Hearts) side which is part of Tony Bloom’s MCO and whose transfer strategy has been guided by Bloom’s Jamestown analytics. This article will examine the rules and regulations applying in Scotland in respect of the ownership of Scottish football clubs by those involved in MCO.
The starting point is Article 13 of the Scottish Football Association’s (SFA) Articles of Association (Articles). Article 13 covers Dual Interest in clubs and provides for a general prohibition against dual interest without the approval of the SFA Board.
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