Rangers board commissions inquiry into Green takeover

RANGERS are to conduct an independent investigation into the takeover and management of the club by Charles Green and his commercial director, Imran Ahmad.

Charles Green. Picture: PA

After a meeting of the Ibrox board at Murray Park yesterday it was announced that they would set up a commission to examine the recent allegations linking former owner, the disgraced Craig Whyte, to Green.

“The decision to commission the examination was taken unanimously by those in attendance at today’s meeting,” said a statement that was issued during half-time in Rangers’ game with Clyde. Executive and non-executive directors were present at the meeting. “The independent report will be commissioned and completed as speedily as possible and presented directly to the non-executive directors of the company.”

There is as yet no indication of who might sit on the commission or when it will sit. Green will play no part in it. “The board wishes to make clear that it is not prejudging any of the issues involved and that the object of this exercise is to clarify the situation to the satisfaction of shareholders, supporters, staff and board members.”

In recent weeks and months a drip feed of recorded telephone conversations and leaked documents from Whyte to the media has cast considerable doubt over Green’s claim that Whyte played no part in his purchasing of the club. Green has said that he is suing Whyte and that will also be examined as part of the investigation into his behaviour. The statement said: “Instructions recently given to lawyers in England and Scotland with a view to taking legal action to challenge these recent allegations will form part of the independent examination.”

The club also sought to draw a line under alleged racist remarks made by Green about Ahmad. The chief executive apologised and that apology has been accepted by the Rangers board, who believe that there had been “no intention to cause offence” when Green admitted to calling Ahmad his “Paki friend”. The directors said they were satisfied that Green “did not act in a racist manner but reminded him of the importance of all office bearers at Rangers upholding the standards expected by the club”.

Green is up on a double charge at the SFA for using racist and offensive language, a charge, the statement said, that Green will deal with “on a personal basis”.