Rangers react: SPFL result is NOT an endorsement of SPFL executive

Ibrox club issues statement

Rangers have reacted to the SPFL vote.

Rangers say it would be “unwise” to regard the result of the failed bid to force an independent investigation into the Scottish Professional Football League as any kind of “endorsement of the SPFL executive”.

They Ibrox club also signalled they would not give up their fight for change.

A club statement read: “A light has been shone on the SPFL’s governance and regardless of the attempts to debunk our report, there is widespread acknowledgement that it highlighted serious issues and failings which remain to be addressed.

“A management culture which not only fears accountability and scrutiny, but which actively campaigns against it, is unhealthy and breeds continued mistrust. This culture, so deeply embedded, must be addressed if Scottish football is to flourish.

“It is clear that many members have lost confidence in the SPFL leadership and the need for change will not diminish. The status quo cannot hold.”

The resolution, which was initially proposed by Rangers, needed 75 per cent backing from clubs but drew only 13 of the 32 votes needed to pass. There were 27 votes against and two clubs abstained.

Rangers had joined with Hearts and Stranraer to force a general meeting on the back of a controversial and drawn-out vote which ended the lower-league season last month and handed the SPFL board the power to do likewise for the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The resolution got the support of four clubs in the Premiership and one from the Championship, plus eight in the two lower divisions. Another two teams from the combined ranks of League One and League Two abstained.