SFA reject Rangers transfer embargo appeal

Rangers appeal against a 12 month transfer ban and £160,000 fine has been rejected by an SFA appeal hearing.

Despite hiring leading QC Richard Keen to defend the club and find fault in the verdict the three man board chaired by Lord Carloway stood by the original verdict which Ally McCoist claimed could kill Rangers off.

With no new signings allowed over the age of 18 and the most of the current squad available for cut price transfers from June 1 tonight’s verdict is a major blow for the clubs hopes of survival.

An SFA statement tonight read: “The Appellate Tribunal will give its full reasons in writing in early course. However, in summary, it considers that: 

1. It was competent for Disciplinary Tribunal to impose the additional
sanction of prohibiting registrations of any new players of 18 years or
older for a period of 12 months.

2. The Disciplinary Tribunal was correct to determine that the conduct
involved – especially the deliberate non-payment of very large sums,
estimated in excess of £13m of tax in the form of PAYE, NIC and VAT –
was attributable to the club as a member of the Scottish FA. 

3. The Disciplinary Tribunal was correct also in holding that the

maximum fine available for this breach was £100,000, and on its own was inadequate as a punishment for this misconduct. It was therefore correct to select an additional sanction. 

4. The sanctions available included expulsion from participation in the
game and termination or suspension of membership of the Scottish FA,
which would have had a similar effect. The Appellate Tribunal observes
that serious consideration was given by the disciplinary tribunal to
imposing one of these sanctions, which would have had obvious
consequences for the survival of the club. The Disciplinary Tribunal
rejected these as too severe and this Appellate Tribunal agrees with
that conclusion. 

5. Although the Appellate Tribunal has listened carefully to the
representations from Rangers FC about the practical effects of the
additional sanction, it has concluded that this sanction was
proportionate to the breach, dissuasive to others and effective in the
context of serious misconduct, bringing the game into disrepute. In
particular, the Appellate Tribunal recognises that the Disciplinary
Tribunal decision does not affect Rangers’ ability to extend the
contracts of existing professional players, including those whose
contracts will expire at the end of this season and including also those
currently on loan to other clubs. The Appellate Tribunal observes that
Rangers FC have over 40 professional players in this category. 

Therefore, the Appellate Tribunal affirms the decision of the
Disciplinary Tribunal.