Falkirk's chairman is afraid the Scottish Premier League's 'no' vote on reform means Scottish football will never get the change it needs.
Opposition from St Mirren and Ross County at Monday's Hampden Park meeting left the SPL without the 11-1 majority required to pass proposals including a merger with the Scottish Football League and a new 12-12-18 league structure.
The result means SFL clubs, including First Division Falkirk, will not even get to vote on the plans.
Chairman Martin Ritchie said: "I am now concerned that there will never be a proposal that can gain approval of 11 SPL clubs and 23 SFL clubs.
"It looks like a stalemate where the game will stagnate in its current form until someone breaks the deadlock.
"Perhaps it is already time for the Scottish Football Association, as the governing body for football in Scotland, to step in and take control."
An official club statement read: "The board at Falkirk FC is very disappointed at the outcome of the SPL meeting on Monday.
"We had hoped that the package of proposals would have started a process of change in Scottish football.
"The First Division clubs now need to take stock of the situation and wait to see what emerges from the SPL and the SFL over the next few days."
SK Brann starlet Finne is regarded as one of the best young prospects to emerge from Scandinavia in recent years.
The 18-year-old burst onto the scene last season with Brann, scoring four goals in nine appearances for the Norwegian side.
Finne is also a regular in the Norway youth sides and is tipped for a call-up to the senior squad in the near future.
The exciting forward's performances have not gone unnoticed, with clubs across Europe keeping tabs on his progress.
All the Premier League's top guns, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are all thought to have watched Finne in action over the last year.
Clubs from Germany, Italy and France are also thought to be keeping a watching brief on Finne as Brann face a fight to keep hold of their prize asset.
Finne's current contract expires in December, but Brann are bracing themselves for bids for the player this summer when his suitors would only have to pay a minimal compensation fee for his services.
City are all but out of contention to win the Barclays Premier League but have a firm grip on second place and could be tempted to ease up before facing Wigan at Wembley next month.
But aside from the fact the runners-up spot is not guaranteed, City feel they have standards to maintain and having finally hit top form, they do not want to let up.
City are back in Premier League action three days after their energy-sapping cup semi-final win over Chelsea as they host relegation-threatened Wigan in a final dress rehearsal at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Platt said: "Rather than dramatising the situation, it is about finishing the season as strongly as we can do.
"You would probably put money on us finishing second now and hopefully we will win the FA Cup.
"But we still have to play a good team and anything can happen in the final.
"We have our own expectations and our own expectations are very high."
City went into their semi-final on the back of an impressive and psychologically important derby win over Premier League leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford. Prior to that they demolished Newcastle 4-0.
There is a feeling that since conceding defeat to United in the title race - they currently trail by 15 points - they have started playing without pressure.
But Platt said: "I don't think it is a case of that, the pressure is still on to win football games."
City were certainly at their best for the first hour of their semi-final win, dominating in all departments to claim a 2-0 lead.
Chelsea responded and forced Roberto Mancini's men to defend resolutely in the closing third but City came through 2-1.
Platt said: "It is a big result.
"You set off every season playing for the trophies you are involved in. You want to win them all.
"There is nothing like an FA Cup final in England. It stands the test of time despite all the euphoria around the Champions League and Premier League, which are the big prizes, let's not be silly about it.
"The FA Cup final has got its own status in this country. We would like to be in it."
Mancini continued with his cup policy of playing back-up goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon in place of Joe Hart in the semi-final.
The Romanian had not conceded a goal in any of the previous rounds but his selection ahead of England first choice Hart was still a minor surprise.
However, after Pantilimon justified his place in the second half, it may not raise eyebrows if the 26-year-old plays again in the final.
Platt said: "Your goalkeeper that backs up the number one has a thankless task. He is always away in the hotels, he sits on the bench - when does he ever get on? When does he ever get a game?
"It is important he plays big games so that he is ready for that.
"That is what Robbie has done over the years. He has allocated domestic cup competitions to that goalkeeper.
"I think it would have been unfair to Costel to change the goalkeeper.
"If he keeps his place the final will be a different game, a different choice, but I don't think he has done anything wrong to warrant not playing in that final."
City are unlikely to risk playmaker David Silva against Wigan as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. Micah Richards, Maicon and Jack Rodwell are all back in contention after lengthy lay-offs as Mancini considers changes.
Sergio Aguero has been at the centre of controversy since the semi-final following a two-footed challenge on David Luiz in the closing stages, but he will not face retrospective action.
With referee Chris Foy having awarded a free-kick, the Football Association feels there is no scope to review the matter.
Platt said: "It is a situation that has gone. I am not surprised he has got off. They are the rules, the officials saw it."
Platt is not expecting to get many cup final clues from Wigan this week.
He said: "Each team has four or five games before then.
"It is not a case of because we are playing them tomorrow we will know how to play them in the cup final. I don't think it has any correlation whatsoever."
The Spaniard has discovered a successful formula in the last month and ever since their FA Cup quarter-final victory at Everton he has kept faith in the same players.
In the last five matches he has made just one change - replacing goalkeeper Joel Robles for previous first-choice Ali Al Habsi for last weekend's Wembley win over Milwall.
He has been rewarded with four wins - two in the cup - and a draw, which has crucially contributed seven points to their relegation battle.
And while it has meant the likes of club captain Gary Caldwell and Al Habsi have been sidelined, Martinez insists the players understand it is for the greater good.
"Competition for places has stepped up a percentage, the level of training has increased and we have been unbeaten in the league since then," said the Spaniard.
"Players are desperate to help the team. There are no individual cases, from now until the end of the season it is about what we can do as a football club.
"There is a bigger role than playing or not playing. Everyone is aware the achievement as a team is more important than individuals.
"We have players who are fully aware of what they need to bring to the team and everyone is expecting to be used from now until the end of the season.
"If you have a player who is happy not to play he needs to move on, he's in the wrong business.
"Every player should be desperate to play and be disappointed for one second but after that there is a real sense of the group and what the team needs.
"People are very committed, they are desperate to help the team, but when they are on or off the pitch they know how to behave themselves.
"I think that is what we have showed in the last few weeks - a big club mentality in terms of facing every single game and forgetting about the individuals."
The Latics boss admits he may have to freshen up his side after the physically and emotionally-draining experience of a Wembley semi-final as they head to Manchester City on Wednesday.
City have been a bogey side in recent seasons, with Wigan failing to score and losing their last six meetings.
Martinez admits picking an unchanged side has made things more difficult for him in terms of deciding how fit his players are and who needs a rest.
"I think it is more difficult because you need to make sure those players are fresh enough to keep playing and I think it is important to make sure we don't overload certain players," he said of his selection dilemma.
"What is important as well is to give a sense of continuity but I know we could make three changes and that wouldn't affect our performance and that is a very important feeling to have as a manager.
"When you can make changes from one game to another and not have a problem from a tactical point of view shows the work which has been put in over the last 10 months or so."
However, Martinez is confident, as he has been since the progressed from the quarter-final, that another Wembley appearance next month will not be a distraction for his players.
"For us being involved in two competitions at this time of the season is exactly what we needed as a football club if we want to step up to the next level," he added.
"I think we showed a really natural way of switching on to the league.
"We have such an important game (against City) I don't think you are allowed to celebrate too much.
"Once we have the FA Cup final in front of us then we will be able to get into the cup mode again.
"It becomes a really exciting target to have at the end of the season but it was exactly the same position after the quarter-final.
"The only way to be part of it is how you are going to perform and contribute in between."
The Red Devils could stretch their lead at the top of the table to 18 points with victory at Upton Park on Wednesday, which would leave them within touching distance of the title once again.
Allardyce believes the way Sir Alex Ferguson's men have gone about wrestling back superiority from rivals Manchester City, spearheaded by the goals of ?24million striker Robin van Persie, has been awe inspiring.
"I think you have to say the (United) team is as good as it has ever been because nobody normally wins the title so easily and by so big a margin, or has this much of a margin at this stage of the season," said Allardyce.
"It is pretty scary what total they might actually finish with.
"Manchester United have been outstanding and it is been about how their squad rotation has been Sir Alex's masterpiece as usual, about playing the right team at the right time.
"I suppose you could say that because they got knocked out of the Champions League a little sooner than usual and because they got knocked out of the FA Cup and Capital One Cup, it has given them the strength and energy to be what they are in the Barclays Premier League this year.
"They have not had the normal focus on three or four competitions almost to the end, the focus has come on the Premier League and they have just breezed it.
"They have just gone 'bang' and everyone else can't get near them."
Despite the difference in class between the two sides, West Ham have pushed United in all of their meetings this season - coming within moments of knocking the Red Devils out of the FA Cup third round at home in January before Van Persie dispatched a brilliant equaliser deep into stoppage time.
"We will need to be on our best form, as always, if we are to get anything," said Allardyce, who has defensive problems tomorrow with injury to James Tomkins.
"We have run them close three times this season, so we can give as good a performance as we gave in the last three (games)."
While West Ham may well not get anything out of Wednesday's match, with 38 points they should just about avoid being dragged into the scrap for survival over their final half-dozen games.
However, Allardyce said: "With all the bottom sides seeming to be picking up more points now than they have done for the rest of the season, I would say we are still another couple of points off being absolutely safe."
The Irons, though, also remain within striking distance of the top half, which would represent a remarkable achievement from Allardyce's squad on a first season back in the top flight.
"We have got four home games and two away, so we have an opportunity (to get into the top 10), but I think we are going to have to win three and draw two out of the last six," he said.
"Manchester City away and Everton away are tough, tough games as well as Manchester United at home.
"In fact they will all be tough, even Wigan who are now in a position, because of being in the FA Cup final, that they have games to catch up and points to gain on others.
"That puts the pressure on them, so they will all be really tough matches but hopefully we can win a couple and see where we go."
Van Persie's instinctive reaction to ending a 10-game goal drought at Stoke on Sunday was to race to the away dugout and jump into the arms of the man who paid Arsenal ?24million to bring him to Old Trafford in the summer.
A clearly delighted Ferguson was left spluttering: "He nearly killed me, he forgets that I'm 71."
The Dutchman's reaction has created a great deal of hilarity in the United dressing room too, where it has been one of the chief topics of conversation.
Not that Evra dare a repeat.
"No chance. Never," said the France defender.
"Maybe I will do it with my team-mates. But not with the gaffer. He is older.
"Imagine I go in too strong against him. He could fall, then he might sack me. I will never do that."
Evra could barely keep a straight face as he delivered his assessment of Van Persie's reaction.
"Robin has had a lot of stick from us," said Evra.
"It was nice. I could see a lot of love and emotion.
"It is the first time we saw that. Robin can tell you, for two or three days we have been getting at him. It is good to see love like that on the pitch sometimes."
The banter, even at the expense of such a high-profile personality, underlines the spirit within the United squad presently driving them towards a record 20th league title.
"I always say the atmosphere at this club is great," said Evra.
"That is a big strength for Manchester United. To be fair, Robin told us he was really emotional. He had not scored for 10 games.
"He just showed the passion and the way he wanted to win. He just said 'hands up guys, it was an emotional game. I did it, it is OK, we can move on now'."
United have now moved on from Stoke to West Ham, where they play tomorrow searching for the first three of the seven points still needed to grab the Premier League trophy back from Manchester City.
Outside their Carrington training complex, most assume the task has already been completed. Even up the road at City the towel has been hurled in.
Ferguson refuses to think like that until the job is finished, though, and evidently none of his players are thinking that way either after their manager urged them to realign their sights after three big defeats to Real Madrid, Chelsea and City in the space of a month.
"The boss is a winner," he said.
"He said before the Stoke game that the season starts now. He has just told us to win the seven games that are left. That shows you the way he wants to win this 20th title. He told us not to think about the title, just think about winning these seven games.
"We can still break the (points) record so the challenge for us is to win the seven games we have left.
"It won't be easy but that is the way the boss wants us to play."
Ferguson has confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns for the West Ham trip, with Ashley Young and Paul Scholes still ruled out by ankle and knee problems respectively.
Ryan Giggs and Tom Cleverley will both hope for a recall to the midfield berth occupied by Wayne Rooney at Stoke, whilst Rafael, Danny Welbeck and Nani are amongst those eager to play some part.
"We have a good, strong squad," Ferguson told MUTV.
"We took 20 players with us to Stoke and those 20 players will go with us again tomorrow."
The Northern Ireland youth international, who has spent the last two campaigns with Rovers, has established himself as the Pirates' first choice right-back under manager John Ward and has been one of their star performers this season.
"I've been really pleased with Michael's attitude and approach to the game since I've worked with him," Ward told the club's official website.
"He wants to try to improve as a player with Bristol Rovers, which is good news for everyone.
"He has been an absolute diamond in terms of our back five and has played a very big part in us getting ourselves into a safe position."
Smith said: "It's a relief to get a new contract signed with two games of this season still to go.
"I've enjoyed two years here already and I'm really enjoying my football at the moment and I hope that, as a team, we can continue the progress we have made this season."
Eleven-goal striker Steven Fletcher's season was prematurely over long before the Italian was handed the reins at the Stadium of Light as predecessor Martin O'Neill packed his bags.
However, far from bemoaning the loss of O'Neill's ?12million summer signing, Di Canio has simply ordered the men he has left behind to do what they do further up the pitch to provide his team with a greater goal threat.
That was a familiar theme too during the latter days of the Ulsterman's reign, but it paid swift and glorious dividends on Sunday when the Black Cats struck three times without reply to clinch a famous derby win at Newcastle.
Di Canio said: "It will help to create more chances.
"People like [Adam] Johnson, who in the past used to run 70 yards with the ball and then arrive at the edge of the box and be empty in the legs without the chance to strike - maybe now there will be a chance that sometimes he can get the ball near the box and use his talent and maybe strike on goal.
"It's exactly the same on the other side with James [McClean] or Sebastian [Larsson].
"From the middle, one midfield player always has to attack the edge of the box so with a rebound, we are not 60 yards or 40 yards from the goal, we are close.
"The mechanism and the system will help this team to cancel out the fact that we don't have a top scorer who can turn the game on his own.
"In any instance near the box, we are going to find a way to score, I am sure.
"The fitness has grown a bit and the belief is higher that we are going to score enough goals to stay up."
O'Neill was acutely aware of his side's attacking problems - they scored only six goals in his last eight games at the helm and even Fletcher, who played in seven of them, could manage just a single strike, and that in a 3-1 defeat at QPR.
But in just two outings since his arrival at the Stadium of Light, Di Canio has witnessed four, the first of them admittedly an own goal by Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta.
However, it will be the manner in which the players responded to his orders at St James' Park which will have pleased the 44-year-old most.
Stephane Sessegnon's opener came courtesy of an enterprising surge in-field from a wide position and a sweet strike from distance, and Johnson's second arrived in similar style.
The third, a beautifully precise curling finish by substitute David Vaughan, summed up a fresh attitude, players prepared to accept the responsibility to advance into attacking positions and take a chance, something which happened with decreasing regularity and dwindling confidence as O'Neill's exit approached.
Di Canio said: "Before this game, there were people who are real warriors thinking, 'If we lose against Newcastle, we stay down there. What's going on? We are maybe going to lose some places'.
"I said, 'Calm. We are going to win, we are going to relax, recover energy and maybe we can go out [of trouble] earlier than we thought'.
"But once again, it's a little step, it's a very, very important little step forward."
