Rangers administration: SFA launch independent inquiry
Craig Whyte is taking a step back from events. Picture: SNS
THE Scottish Football Association has confirmed it is to launch an independent inquiry into the current situation involving Rangers.
Coming less than a day after Strathclyde Police announced that they were investigating information passed to them concerning the current situation at Ibrox, the SFA have released a statement saying: “The Scottish FA can today confirm its intention to conduct a full independent inquiry into the activities of Rangers FC and, specifically, a number of potential breaches of the Scottish FA’s Articles of Association.”
The statement then goes on to explain that the SFA’s previous attempts to obtain information ‘relevant to the Fit and Proper Person’ requirement had been hampered by the club’s solicitors.
The SFA’s chief executive Stewart Regan added his concern, saying: “Since we have been unable to receive any detailed information requested in relation to Article 10, we feel we have no option but to appoint an independent committee to investigate a number of concerns we have raised.
“We expect the investigation to be concluded as quickly as possible and will confirm the outcome in due course. We will be making no further comment on the investigation in the meantime.
The Scotsman reported on December 2nd, in the wake of Craig Whyte’s admission that he had been disqualified from directing companies, that the SFA were looking into Whyte’s suitability as a director. Rangers expressed their confidence that Whyte did indeed meet the required criteria for directing a company.
The SFA have the right to rule on whether an individual listed on a club’s official return of office bearers is a “fit and proper person to hold such position within Association Football.”
One relevant fact giving cause for concern would be if an individual had been disqualified as a company director, in accordance with the Company Directors’ Disqualification Act of 1986, within the past five years. In Whyte’s case, he was banned from directing a company between 2000 and 2011, but bought Rangers from Sir David Murray for £1 four years later in 2011, within the five year period outlined by the SFA.
The SFA have been assured that the representatives from Duff and Phelps will co-operate with them fully, as the SFA continues its inquiry.
Craig Whyte has insisted that there has been no criminal wrongdoing during his time at the club.
Earlier today, the BBC confirmed that it had received a writ from Craig Whyte’s representatives, served on the corporation over claims made in a documentary broadcast last year.
A spokesman for BBC Scotland said: “We stand by our journalism, all of the allegations made, and will defend any action vigorously.”
• Click here to read Craig Whyte’s statement in full
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Comments
There are 59 comments to this article
Page 1 of 4
Charles P
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:24 PMIt has been announced by Duff & Phelps the appointed administrators at Rangers FC that employment costs must be reduced at Ibrox. In the first swathe of cuts 2 referees and 4 linesman have been removed from the payroll.
Hunky Dory
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:00 PM#52 Be a Brit nat, if you want, but some Scottish people have pride in their country, Scotland.
Hunky Dory
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:59 PMThe tax is owed to the Scottish people.
Ivory Tower
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:53 PM#53 Dave Scott - SFL member clubs can lobby for change to their rules to make them less stringent if they wish... similarly SPL clubs can vote to make their admin rules stricter... what you seem to be suggesting is that Rangers are treated in tougher terms than the pre-determined rules dictate... that can't happen... by the way, if memory serves Motherwell were in administration for a couple of seasons and I can't recall them receiving any points penalty... they even managed to come last in the SPL and avoid relegation so please spare us the "it's only the big clubs that get these breaks" routine... have a nice day now.
Pas D'Elle Yeux Rhone Que Nous
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:45 PMYes, McCoist has acted with a lot of dignity in very difficult times this week.
Ivory Tower
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:40 PMOne thing which is undeniable is that Rangers are in a terrible mess and we can expect a few extra headlines as this sorry entanglement of financial chicanery unravels... off to the game now to lend my support to Ally McCoist (who has been superb this week) and the lads... bientot
Dave Scott
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:36 PM51 Ivory Tower: It's okay I get the SFASFL point, I did before I posted ... however, my point is that there is a huge disparity - symptomatic of bankers getting off with it while small businesses go bust - lax rules for those that should be setting the example and punitive rules for those who can ill afford it. Had RFC been docked 21 points at least there would be some fixtures of meaning left in the SPL. Whyte has taken an easy business gamble and, possibly, buried some of his own debt in there too. What's the betting that tougher sanctions will ensue AFTER the RFC debacle?
Ivory Tower
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:35 PM#49 The tax is owed to Central Government (UK), not the people of Scotland.
Ivory Tower
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:30 PM#39 Dave Scott - Had Dundee been in the SPL they would have been docked 10 points as per SPL rules... the 1st Division is administered by the SFL (not the SPL) and therefore teams within that division must abide by their rules.
Ivory Tower
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:28 PM#42 Dragonlord - Your idea of having the lower finishing clubs receive the larger share of TV cash is an utter nonsense... picture end of season games where teams are losing intentionally to pick up the extra cash.... ridiculous.
Hunky Dory
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:24 PMThe situation gets more farcical by the day.Alex Salmond, is on record as saying that he is dedicated to ridding Scotland of sectarianism.Just the other day, Alex said, that Rangers FC were part of Scottish culture, was that the sectarian part or the tax dodging part ? For me. I think Cameron and Salmond should stick their noses out and allow HMRC to collect money owed to the taxpayers of Scotland and not be covering up for a club that has on many occasions, brought shame on Scotland.
Hague20
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:18 PMRangers have been docked the 10 points they are still second with Motherwell behind them with 42 points it is a joke. I find it uncomfortable that there is so much hatred for Rangers fans. Most of the fans are most probaly hard working citizens whose enjoyment is to go and watch there team play. Most fans love there clubs with a passion but most do not know what is going on in the boardroom.
Pas D'Elle Yeux Rhone Que Nous
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:16 PMI feel sorry for the ordinary workforce at Ibrox many of whom are facing redundancy next week. But RFC had it in their power to safeguard their jobs and avoid administration by selling a couple of players during the January transfer window but elected not to. OK, the loss of a couple of star players would have reduced their chances of winning the SPL this season but the points deduction is doing that anyway.
Derry City, Ireland.
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:16 PM"SFA launch independent inquiry".................LOL! Aye! The SFA are up to their necks in this.as well.
Dave Scott
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:03 PM43: Dragonlord - I guessed as such but the disparity is huge. Even in Euro football one would be asking big questions if refs from different national leagues came up with vastly different interpretations of what constituted a penalty. You're right, either merge the two (and back to 2 leagues of 20 please) or get independent arbitration.
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