Full SFA ‘fit and proper’ statement on Craig Whyte

Published on 08/03/2012 17:29

Stewart Regan, the Scottish FA Chief Executive, reveals that the findings of the Independent Inquiry into Rangers FC have been heard at a Special Board Meeting at Hampden Park today and will now be referred to the Judicial Panel.

“I can confirm that the Scottish FA convened a Special Board Meeting at Hampden Park today to discuss the findings of the Independent Inquiry into Rangers FC, prepared by the Chair, The Right Honourable Lord William Nimmo Smith.

Principally, it is the belief of the Board, taking into account the prima facie evidence presented today, that Mr Craig Whyte is not considered to be a Fit and Proper person to hold a position within Association Football.

We will be writing to Mr Whyte in relation to those findings and shall seek a response within seven days.

The report submitted by Lord Nimmo Smith, having been considered fully by the Board, highlights a number of other potential rule breaches by the club and its owner. The report will now be used as evidence and forwarded to a Judicial Panel for consideration and determination as per the protocol.

As such, the report’s contents will not be published at this time. Nevertheless, I can confirm that the club is facing a charge of bringing the game into disrepute. Specifically, areas of potential breach to be considered by the Judicial Panel include:

• Obligations and duties of members

• Official return

• Financial records

• Division of receipts and payment of expenses (Scottish Cup)

I would like to clarify the situation relating to possible non-disclosure of payments to players, and in particular the Employee Benefit Trust. Having noted the Scottish Premier League’s intention to investigate this matter, the Board has decided to allow the SPL to complete this process, given our potential status as the appellate body. We retain our position until such time as the SPL’s investigation is concluded.

Finally, we have sent a letter to the Rangers administrators, Duff and Phelps, advising them that failure to pay monies owed to another member constitutes a breach of the Cup Competition Rules. Consequently, the club faces disciplinary action unless they make payments due to Dundee United from their recent William Hill Scottish Cup tie. A Notice of Complaint has been issued to that effect.”

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  The Scottish Football Association has stated that Rangers owner Craig Whyte “is not considered to be a fit and proper person to hold a position within association football” following an independent inquiry into the stricken club.

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