Pressure grows on Stewart Regan to step down over Rangers newco

FRESH calls have been made for the head of the Scottish Football Association to stand down over the handling of Rangers’ demotion to the Third Division.

A number of clubs, from all divisions, have called for Stewart Regan to resign, saying they have “no confidence” in the Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief, accusing him of “exaggerating the possible 
“Armageddon” rather than trying to find a solution to the Ibrox club’s future. The calls come after 25 of the 30 Scottish Football League clubs voted to admit the newco Rangers to the Third Division. Mr Regan had wanted the club to be placed in the First Division.

In a highly critical statement, Cowdenbeath secretary Alex Anderson demanded that both Mr Regan and Scottish Premier League (SPL) chief executive Neil Doncaster go. He said: “We have been lied to and bullied and – despite the overwhelming vote of SFL clubs that Rangers should re-start in Division Three – we are still not clear what the final outcome will be.

“We are totally disgusted at the way the whole situation has been handled by the SPL and the SFA. We are deeply disillusioned with the hierarchy of Scottish football. It is a sad day for Scottish football.

“The actions of the SPL and the SFA and the image that has been created could well endanger any future investment in the Scottish game. In view of the way Neil Doncaster and Stewart Regan have dealt with this situation, they should now be considering their positions.”

Mr Anderson revealed he had seconded a move to hold a “no confidence” vote on Mr Regan after Friday’s meeting, which was proposed by Livingston chairman Gordon McDougall, however it did not go to a vote.

It was claimed last night that the SFA chief had secretly plotted to ensure that the Ibrox side dropped to Division One weeks before the SFL clubs decided to banish them to the fourth tier.

Mr Regan is accused of saying he wanted Dundee rather than Dunfermline to take Rangers’ SPL slot, a decision on which was not due until today and of telling Hibs chairman Rod Petrie, the SFA’s vice-president, to speak to newco Rangers chief executive Charles Green “confidentially” about the blueprint for the overhaul of the game aimed at stopping the Ibrox side dropping more than one tier.

Further, it is claimed that he wrote in the e-mail: “Could Rod Petrie please brief Charles Green confidentially on the discussions from the SFA perspective so there are ‘no surprises’ and there is a general acceptance of the plan plus the other conditions discussed, eg: transfer embargo, fines, repayment of football debt, acceptance of relegation and so on.”

Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston was “shocked” at the allegations and is considering legal advice on the matter. He said: “It’s out of order to try and manipulate proceedings, irrespective of whether he thinks it’s in the interest of Scottish football.”

Elgin chairman Graham Tatters said: “If it is true, … it is totally unacceptable. The word is arrogance. Mr Regan has made himself very powerful in Scottish football.”

Queen of the South said: “The dialogue has been negative, focusing on and exaggerating the possible ‘Armageddon’ rather than rallying and actively trying to find solutions that all clubs and – more importantly – supporters would feel comfortable supporting.

“Instead, we were presented with a set of proposals that no-one was happy with. More importantly, the message from the governing bodies was that, even with a ‘no’ vote, they would continue to pursue the newco Rangers playing in one of the top two tiers next season.”

The Dumfries club yesterday called on the three bodies running the game to introduce “badly needed” reconstruction measures such as play-offs between the top tier and the First Division.

Mr Regan had recently spoken of a “slow, lingering death” for Scottish football should a newco Rangers be forced to play in the bottom tier of the game.

The financial implications of Rangers’ demotion has sparked such fear that First Minister Alex Salmond has been urged to use his friendship with Rupert Murdoch to secure the multimillion pound BSkyB TV deal that funds Scottish football.

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour said 
Mr Salmond should call in favours from Mr Murdoch to safeguard Scottish clubs that rely on the cash provided by the broadcasting company, which is part-owned by the Australian mogul.

Mr Gilmour said: “Five clubs in the SPL could be in administration within weeks and we will have to do everything we can to avoid being one of them.”

The First Minister indicated he would be prepared to use his government’s “influence” to lobby on Scottish football’s behalf, but he made no commitment on timing.

His spokesman said: “Once the football authorities finally decide on their course of 
action and show a willingness for reconstruction and reform, the Scottish Government stands ready to use influence to secure the best deals from sponsors.”