THE SPFL have asked the Scottish FA to step in to their row with Rangers after issuing a cash warning to clubs over the £8million cinch sponsorship deal.

Rangers have refused to display cinch branding on their shirts or advertising boards this season due to a 'pre-existing contractual obligation' and remain in dispute with the Hampden board.

Managing director Stewart Robertson has been critical of Neil Doncaster, the SPFL chief executive, and has insisted that the champions continue to comply with the rules after accusing the League of blowing £500,000 on consultancy fees.

Chairman Murdoch MacLennan has now written to clubs to update on the ongoing legal wrangle that could threaten the £1.6million-per-year agreement that the SPFL have with cinch.

The used car sales website clinched a five-year deal with the SPFL earlier this summer and, in an email sent to members, MacLennan said: "Over several weeks now, your board has sought to engage with the club concerned to find a way through this very serious impasse.

"However, we have been met with a refusal to give the board sight of any pre-existing third-party contract that would prevent the club from providing inventory for cinch.

"The refusal by one of our clubs to provide inventory for cinch presents a real and substantial commercial risk to the SPFL – and one which materially threatens the SPFL's fee payments to all 42 SPFL clubs.

"This is the first time in the history of the SPFL, or the SPL before that, where a club has not provided agreed inventory to the League for use in fulfilling a commercial Contract.

"Your board considers it has been left with no realistic option, in compliance with Scottish FA articles, other than to refer this dispute to Scottish FA arbitration. Your Board has reached this conclusion with great reluctance.

"However, your board believes that it has a clear obligation to embark upon this course of action to protect and advance the interests of the SPFL and all of its member clubs."