SFA finally start to investigate Rangers
With the Ibrox club in real danger of being liquidated Stewart Regan has decided to exercise the muscle of the SFA and investigate the goings on at Ibrox.
Whyte has today announced that he is taking a backseat as administrators attempt to find a rescue plan for the stricken club but the SFA should be under investigation for turning a blind eye to the goings on at Ibrox which is harming a number of member clubs.
Despite having an outstanding tax bill at March 31 last year the SFA allowed Rangers to enter the Champions League denying Celtic a possible £20m windfall and one other club the opportunity to qualify for the Europa League.
Dundee United, Dunfermline and Hearts are already out of pocket due to Whyte’s stewardship of Rangers with Inverness Caley Thistle unlikely to see anything of next weeks ticket money from visiting fans to the Tulloch Stadium.
The SFA have been unable to give Daniel Cousin clearance to play for Rangers against Kilmarnock and await complaints from Sweden and UEFA over the non payment of a development fee to GAIS for Mervan Celik.
Today however the SFA have finally announced its intentions to investigate matters with the launch of a full independent inquiry into the activities of Rangers.
Amazingly Stewart Regan of the SFA admits that they have been denied information from Whyte’s legal team as to whether the Rangers chairman meets the laughable fit and proper person test!
The statement on the SFA website reads: “The Scottish FA can today confirm its intention to conduct a full independent inquiry into the activities of Rangers FC and, specifically, a number of potential breaches of the Scottish FA’s Articles of Association.
“We are concerned by the developing situation at the club and the new information that has come to light since the appointment of the club administrators, Duff and Phelps. The chairman and his panel will be briefed by the chief executive, Stewart Regan, next week and will consult further with the administrators, Duff and Phelps, as part of their inquiry.
“We have been guaranteed full co-operation by Paul Clark, representing the company.
“The Scottish FA’s previous efforts in obtaining information relevant to the Fit and Proper Person requirement has been restricted by the club’s solicitors’ continued failure to share information in a timely or detailed manner.
“We now feel there is no option but to undertake an independent inquiry to establish the clear facts and to determine the extent of any possible rules breaches.”
Stewart Regan, Scottish FA chief executive: “Since we have been unable to receive any detailed information requested in relation to Article 10, we feel we have no option but to appoint an independent committee to investigate a number of concerns we have raised.
“We expect the investigation to be concluded as quickly as possible and will confirm the outcome in due course. We will be making no further comment on the investigation in the meantime.
“Finally, I would like to reiterate the need to learn the lessons from this unedifying episode. It is essential that we work together to improve the overall sustainability and competitiveness of the game in this country. This is a matter that the Scottish FA is already in discussions with the relevant league bodies to address.”
CLICK HERE for why the SFA should have investigated in June- the Rushden & Diamonds comparison
CLICK HERE for Police question for Rangers v Kilmarnock
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