Rangers administration: Bidders tweak conditions as they seek SPL clarity

RANGERS administrators Duff and Phelps have confirmed that all three bidders wish to remain in the running to purchase the club despite proposed changes to Scottish Premier League rules.

However, there have been changes made to the conditions attached to their bids, including a request for access to the football authorities in order to seek “greater clarity” on the SPL resolutions. Former Ibrox director Paul Murray’s Blue Knights, a Singapore consortium fronted by Bill Ng and American tycoon Bill Miller are all vying for control of the stricken Glasgow giants.

The proposals, which will be considered by the 12 top-flight clubs on April 30, will mean tougher sanctions for clubs who go into administration in future or face the prospect of liquidation. If Rangers are liquidated, a ‘newco’ would be deducted 10 points for two seasons if accepted straight back into the SPL and would also face financial penalties in the form of league payments being slashed by 75 per cent for three seasons.

Paul Clark, joint administrator, said: “Following discussions with three parties bidding to purchase the football club, we can confirm that all three parties have informed us today they wish to remain in the sale process.

“However, following the information supplied by us to bidders in relation to proposed new rules on penalties for insolvent clubs within the SPL, there have been changes made to the conditions attached to bids.

“Among the new conditions are requests from parties who now, before committing further, wish access to the football authorities in order to seek greater clarity on the proposed rule changes. We hope to provide Rangers supporters with a further update next week and will continue to make every effort to reach the point where a preferred bidder can be announced.

“We are keen to conclude an offer as soon as possible and certainly we would hope that this does not mean is delayed until April 30, 2012.” Administrators said on Wednesday they were forced to delay announcing a preferred bidder as a result of the SPL proposals.

Ng indicated on Thursday that he had no plans to withdraw his offer and Miller followed suit yesterday, claiming he has no qualms about the proposed regulations. “I have responded to Duff and Phelps that I am in favour of a CVA (company voluntary arrangement) exit from administration,” he said.

“After carefully reading the proposed SPL sanctions, it appears the only penalty that could impact the club is if Duff and Phelps was unable to complete the CVA by the start of the season. Consequently, my bid continues to be in place.

“In reviewing the proposed sanctions, it is clear any club going into administration in the future, including Rangers, would be severely penalised.

“In my view, this falls in line with the appropriate efforts of the various governing bodies to ensure clubs are operating within their means and are not mortgaging the future with excessive debt.

“I hope the Rangers representative at the SPL meeting votes in favour of all of the proposals as I believe they are in the best interest of the league and its members, including Rangers.”

Earlier yesterday, Rangers directors Andrew Ellis and Dave King called for the resignation of Ibrox owner Whyte.

London property developer Ellis and King, a South Africa-based businessman, have contacted the club’s administrators Duff and Phelps with their demand.

A statement released yesterday morning read: “We can confirm that as directors of Rangers, we (Andrew Ellis and Dave King) want Craig Whyte to step down with immediate effect in order to safeguard the future of the club. He has been found not to be a fit and proper person to be an official at a football club by the Scottish Football Association.

“Moreover, he has not done the right thing in the past for Rangers and we believe that he will not do the right thing for the club in the future. It is abundantly clear that Craig has misled the Rangers board and the fans but by walking away immediately we believe and hope it will make the sale of the club easier.”

Whyte has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing since taking over Rangers last May and since the club was plunged into administration on February 14.

A spokesman for Duff and Phelps, said: “The powers of all directors are effectively removed when a company goes into administration – unless the administrators decide otherwise.

“We will consider the request of Messrs Ellis and King and, if necessary, will review the position of any or all directors should it be a material issue for the preferred bidder, once that party is selected.”