Rangers newco: Stewart Regan denies he told clubs SFA will block newco Rangers’ path to SPL

SCOTTISH Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan has denied a claim he would seek to block any deal struck by the Scottish Premier League to allow newco Rangers to take their place in the top flight next season.

Regan spoke to chairmen and chief executives from all 30 Scottish Football League clubs at Hampden earlier today as they discussed his own proposal which would see the Ibrox club admitted to the First Division ahead of league reconstruction. Based on information received from one club representative inside the meeting, which was closed to the media, it was suggested that Regan informed those in attendance the SFA would not permit newco Rangers to play in the SPL.

An earlier report earlier today detailed a plan put together by Charles Green, whose Sevco consortium purchased the assets and business of Rangers after failure to lead the club out of administration, which would see the SPL agree to transfer the share of the soon to be liquidated club to the new company.

The mooted deal would see newco Rangers accept a hefty points deduction, agree to pay all football debts of the old company, drop their protest against the 12-month signing embargo imposed by the SFA and issue an apology for past misdemeanours. That statement of remorse was duly made by new Rangers chairman Malcolm Murray yesterday.

But ahead of tomorrow’s general meeting of SPL members at Hampden, when a vote is scheduled on Green’s application for the share transfer, Regan tonightreleased a statement detailing the extent of the SFA’s authority on the contentious issue. The SFA have no jurisdiction over what level of football a club play in. Any club, however, must be members of the SFA in the first instance before they can apply for admission to any league. Green’s consortium lodged their application for SFA membership last Friday which will ultimately be assessed by Regan and his fellow executive board members.

“The Scottish FA was invited to participate in today’s meeting of the Scottish Football League’s members at Hampden Park,” said Regan. “During a positive and productive meeting, a number of detailed scenarios were discussed regarding the future status of Rangers FC as a newco club.

“Unfortunately, a comment relating to one potential scenario – Rangers FC’s readmission to the SPL – was distorted, taken out of context and leaked to the media by a member.

“For the avoidance of doubt, any decision regarding the future status of Rangers FC requires not only the transfer of the SPL share but the transfer of the Scottish FA’s membership. The Scottish FA Board will approve this only when all relevant information has been provided and the directors are satisfied that the solution presented is in the best interests of Scottish football.”

Rangers newco would require an 8-4 majority in their favour at tomorrow’s meeting to receive the SPL share transfer. That has appeared impossible for some time, if the publicly declared intentions of several clubs are adhered to. Hearts, Dundee United, Hibs, Aberdeen, Inverness Caley Thistle, St Johnstone and St Mirren have all gone on the record to state they will vote against newco Rangers’ admission.

Earlier tonight, Motherwell also seemed to join that camp when they announced the result of their fans’ poll which they said would determine their vote. A comprehensive 82 per cent of those who took part said the Fir Park club should vote ‘No’. But it is by no means certain today’s ballot of SPL members will even take place. Senior Hampden sources suggested it could be deferred on the basis that as Rangers newco are not yet SFA members, they are not yet entitled to apply for the share transfer.

With the new SPL season due to start in just over four weeks time, the need for clarity over Rangers’ future is increasingly pressing but today’s meeting of SFL clubs provided little indication of willingness to accept Regan’s compromise proposal of the Ibrox club dropping into the First Division.

Livingston chairman Gordon McDougall, a member of the SFL board, believes the SPL have been guilty of passing the buck and suggested several of their chairmen may yet perform the U-turn which would be required to retain newco Rangers as members.

“I don’t know the questions that will be asked at the SPL meeting on Tuesday,” said McDougall, “but I’m not sure it will be the obvious one. Certain things were said today that may change what they do. I don’t think it’s as clear-cut as many people think and it wouldn’t surprise me if they change the views expressed in the last couple of weeks.

“All the scenarios being painted are scaremongering and I wouldn’t be surprised if some clubs’ views suddenly change. There is no doubt the SPL have abdicated their responsibilities up until now. It’s been landed on us and we have a decision to make. I’m sure a vote is imminent within the SFL on the issue. I just want to see the best for Scottish football. I have nothing against Rangers or any other club, but something has to be done. There has to be a bit of integrity within the game.”

The SFL meeting was informed that it will require a simple majority of more than 50 per cent for Rangers to be accepted into the First Division, should it go to a vote next week. Effectively, that means 16 clubs would need to back the proposal. Several have already declared their opposition with Stirling Albion, East Fife and Stranraer yesterday going public to join Falkirk, Raith Rovers, Morton, Dunfermline, Livingston, Clyde and Peterhead in saying they would vote ‘No’.

SFL chief executive David Longmuir, who has supported Regan’s proposal along with SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster, revealed after the meeting that his organisation will consider their next move at a board meeting on Thursday. “If we need to go to an EGM and a vote, we will do that,” said Longmuir. “We have plenty in our rules that will allow that. It was crucial for us to give that information out to our members today. When you’re dealing with a crisis situation, the only way to cut through the emotion and passion is with fact. That was what we delivered. A package of fact. I am very proud of the way the clubs took part in the debate today. The SFA have a process that they will put into place depending on the outcome of certain scenarios.

“Our clubs have been put into a position of uncertainty. The important thing for us was to try and clear that up today. I was pleased with the frankness and forthrightness of how we did that. It tells me that all our guys have the best interests of our game at heart.

“I didn’t look for any signal today of leanings towards anything. I just want the clubs to reflect on facts. No-one would have predicted this or the impact it’s had. The fact the SFL can accommodate this is a good thing so we can take the game forward. We are well placed to make the right decisions in the interests of Scottish football.”