Rangers takeover: Club threatens to take battle to civil courts

Paul Clark, of club administrators Duff and Phelps, said: “The decision by the appellate tribunal to uphold the sanction, namely the suspension of registration of players for one year, is not competent in the view of the club and its legal advisers.

“Such a sanction was not available to the tribunal and should not have been imposed and it is the intention of the club to challenge the determination.

“The club will consider seeking review of this most disappointing decision and it is a matter of regret that the certainty and finality Rangers sought on this matter has not been achieved. Everyone at Rangers is bitterly disappointed and dismayed at this outcome.”

Charles Green, the Yorkshire businessman leading a consortium who have signed a contract for the £8.5 million purchase of Rangers from current owner Craig Whyte, also expressed his dismay at a decision which has serious implications for his ongoing plans to revive the club.

“Our group went into the purchase of the club with this sanction in place but we hoped the decision would at least be commuted,” said Green. “We fully support the club as it considers an appeal against this latest decision.”

Former captain and club ambassador Sandy Jardine, who has been the focal point of Rangers Fans Fighting Fund set up in the wake of the move into administration back on 14 February, repeated his belief the sanctions are disproportionate and do not reflect Whyte’s burden of responsibility for the disciplinary rules Rangers were found guilty of breaching.

“Rangers supporters will be shocked and bitterly disappointed by this decision,” said Jardine, “and will find it hard to take that the Club has been so heavily punished for the actions of individuals.”