Rangers: Hearts and Dunfermline rulings hypocrisy

Rangers chief executive Craig Mather. Picture: Getty

• Rangers chief executive Craig Mather accuses SFA of double standards over Hearts and Dunfermline rulings

• Hearts and Dunfemline escaped fines for entering administration as Rangers cry foul

The SFA yesterday punished Hearts by imposing a transfer embargo on the club until the end of the January transfer window.

Rangers were levied with a £50,000 when they entered administration last year, and the club claim that Hearts’ punishment amounts to double standards by SFA chief exectuvie Stewart Regan, saying that there was “one rule for our club and another for everyone else.”

Mather said of the SFA ruling: “Ragers notes today’s verdict by the disciplinary tribunal who ruled that Hearts cannot register any players over the age of 21 between now and February 2014.

“We also recall Dunfermline were given a similar sanction last May. But Rangers are aware of the glaring differences in the sanctions imposed on three clubs who entered administration.

“Our club, Rangers, was hit with a £50,000 fine and given a 12-month registration embargo.

“While no-one at this club wishes to see others fall on hard times, questions must be asked about these anomalies and we fully understand the rising anger among our fans.

“They are entitled to think there is one rule for our club and another for everyone else. We will be seeking clarification for our fans.”

The SFA are likely to respond with a statement today.

Meanwhile, Trevor Birch, joint administrator for BDO, said that they were not treated differently to Rangers.

He said: “There’s no fine, which is the good news. They have recognised the cash we have at the moment has come from the fans, so it would be wrong to levy a fine on Hearts.

“Each situation is different. With the extension of the embargo we have been dealt with relatively in the same manner.”

• Hearts may still be in administration by Feb 2014