Ann Budge has claimed SPFL bosses are dragging their feet on an offer to pump millions of pounds into Scottish football.
The Hearts owner believes a no-strings-attached cash injection from philanthropists could secure the future of lower-league clubs.
And last night, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said he would be happy to talk to any potential investors.
His comments came shortly after Budge went public in claiming she had been told by the SPFL to put everything in writing.
The Tynecastle supremo branded that delay as “nonsense”.
She said: “I have taken to the SPFL, an opportunity for an amazing philanthropic gesture – from some of the people I know – to help lower-division clubs.
“Now they have asked if can I put it down in writing, and tell them exactly what’s on offer.
“It’s a nonsense. It’s not quick enough, and they are not decisive enough.
“I am offering them money, not my money. Let’s set up a fund to help people.”
Budge is adamant the cash being offered comes from wealthy football fans and will not have conditions attached.
She went on: “They are philanthropists. They are people who can see what’s happening. They know me because of Hearts, but that’s irrelevant in this situation.
“What they are saying is they would like to help Scottish football – and I can’t even get that moving.
“It should not be down to me to fix the problems of Scottish football.
“This is what’s frustrating me more than anything.”
On hearing Budge’s comments, Neil Doncaster stated the SPFL’s position.
“I have had a number of conversations with Ann, including one that also involved another club chairman,” he said.
“I am delighted to have heard Ann’s comment on the radio that there are, in fact, no conditions attached to this money.
“I had been under the impression that Ann was going to continue talking to the potential investors. But if it is now appropriate for me to talk to them directly, I am very happy to do so.”
Budge maintains her attempts to persuade clubs to reconstruct the leagues is not purely because Hearts would otherwise be in the Championship next season.
However, she continues to threaten legal action.
She added: “I might not have been fighting it so hard if it wasn’t Hearts involved, but I would have been voting for change.
“We have two separate QC opinions which we can rely on to move forward.
“I have said from the beginning that I do not want to go down that route. It’s damaging – but if we have to then, very reluctantly, I will.
“I am not holding a gun to anybody’s head, I’ve been accused of doing that and it’s not true.”
Meanwhile, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes confirmed he had been told by his chairman of the offer Budge was trying to promote.
He said: “I actually heard in a discussion with Dave Cormack on Wednesday that there were people willing to help.
“It would be a huge shot in the arm if that was to be the case. For all clubs.”
The SPFL will need to look into the legalities of where any money being donated comes from.
Dundee United sporting director, Tony Asghar said: “I have worked, prior to this role, on investment coming into football.
“If anyone’s putting money into a club or an association, I think the right thing to do would be to submit that information and allow them to do any due diligence.
“While I understand Neil Doncaster can phone them, I think there should be a proper procedure.”
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