Rangers newco: Ally McCoist may face punishment over tribunal identity issue as Sevco look to secure SFA membership

ALLY McCoist could face disciplinary action over his comments regarding the panel that handed Rangers a 12-month transfer embargo.The Rangers manager said on 24 April that the decision could “kill” the club and called for the independent three-man tribunal, which was convened by the Scottish Football Association, to be publicly named.

ALLY McCoist could face disciplinary action over his comments regarding the panel that handed Rangers a 12-month transfer embargo.

The Rangers manager said on 24 April that the decision could “kill” the club and called for the independent three-man tribunal, which was convened by the Scottish Football Association, to be publicly named.

McCoist could now face a similar judicial panel to explain his comments once the issues surrounding the Rangers membership of the SFA are cleared up. The SFA revealed the news in a question and answer session on their official website.

It read: “The compliance officer communicated with Rangers FC in mid-June to confirm that the matter has been reported and will be initiated through the normal judicial panel protocol upon conclusion of the other outstanding issues affecting the club.”

Ibrox officials knew the identity of the panel, whose identities were later leaked on the internet. The three men were subsequently handed security advice by Strathclyde Police following alleged threats.

Raith Rovers, whose director Eric Drysdale was on the panel, claimed they had to employ 24-hour security after someone threatened to set fire to their ground.

McCoist told Rangers TV at the time: “Who are these people? I want to know who these people are. I’m a Rangers supporter and the Rangers supporters and the Scottish public deserve to know who these people are, people who are working for the SFA. I think we have a right to know who is handing out this punishment to us, I really do.”

McCoist later condemned the threats made to the panel members but defended his calls for transparency.

The transfer embargo remains a topic of contention with Sevco Scotland in discussions with the SFA over the ban as they look to secure Rangers’ membership of the governing body. The FA is seeking more information fromSevco board members, including chairman Malcolm Murray, met with the SFA yesterday to discuss issues surrounding their application, including the possibility of accepting sanctions such as a transfer embargo.

The SFA received an information pack from Sevco on 29 June, seven days after the company submitted a letter of application to take the place of Rangers after buying the stricken club’s assets for £5.5million. But they are still looking for answers.

Charles Green, chief executive of the Rangers newco, was not at the meeting as he has set off to meet Uefa officials in an attempt to agree a repayment settlement for the old club’s football debts of about £3million.

Green revealed he might have to accept the 12-month transfer ban handed to Rangers before they were consigned to liquidation.

Rangers successfully challenged the sanction in court, arguing it was not open to the SFA, but reconvening the independent appeal panel could spark more severe punishment including suspension or termination of membership.

The registration embargo and £160,000 fine were handed down for a range of offences, mainly the club’s failure to pay tax under Rangers’ former owner, Craig Whyte.

The governing body said yesterday: “Now that the Scottish Football League have made a conditional acceptance of Rangers FC in Irn Bru Division Three we will now consider the club’s application for membership transfer this week. The Scottish FA has been in dialogue with Rangers FC in respect of the outstanding disciplinary sanction.

“The decision of the Court of Session to set aside the 12-month registration embargo was complicated by Rangers FC’s administration and subsequent request from Sevco Scotland for a transfer of membership of the Scottish FA.

“Again, now that the club’s status has been confirmed by the SPL and SFL, we will consider the award of transfer once Rangers FC satisfy the necessary criteria.”

The association also highlighted the relevant article, which reads: “Transfer of membership will be reviewed by the board, which will have the complete discretion to reject or to grant such application on such terms and conditions as the board may think fit.”

Meanwhile, Brechin have confirmed that the Rangers newco’s debut will take place at Glebe Park. The Ibrox club will begin their new life in the first round of the Ramsdens Cup, if Sevco Scotland secure membership of the Scottish Football Association, and Brechin will stage the game at their own ground despite speculation the game might be moved to Dens Park.

A statement by the Second Division outfit read: “The club has now received confirmation from the Scottish Football League and Tayside Police that the Ramsdens Cup tie with Rangers will be held at Glebe Park, Brechin on Saturday, 28 July, with a 3pm kick off.”

Glebe Park, famed for having a hedge running along one side of the pitch, holds 3,960 fans.