Cash strapped Sevco have announced that season-ticket holders will get THREE additional matches for free.
Stuart McCall’s side will be involved in the end of season play-off for a place in the Premiership which could involve upto three matches depending on where the Ibrox side finish the season.
SPFL rules require all fans to pay into these fixtures, just like Petrofac Cup, League Cup and Scottish Cup ties, with 50% of the gate money redistributed among all 42 SPFL clubs.
Season ticket holders are notoriously reluctant to pay out again with just 11,422 fans paying into the last cup match at Ibrox when Raith Rovers ended Kenny McDowall’s Scottish Cup dream.
Last season the SPFL allowed Hibs to admit season ticket holders free of charge for the play-off final with the Sevco board using that decision to defy the rules this season.
“THE Board of Rangers International Football Club has today informed the SPFL of their intention that Rangers season ticket holders will not be charged to attend the play off matches at Ibrox,” the promotion hopefulls announced last night.
“These games are to be played between May 9 and May 31 and the Club believes supporters who bought tickets for the entire season should not be asked to pay more.
“It is fundamentally wrong to ask supporters to pay for season tickets and then, at the end of the campaign, expect them to pay again to watch what will now be the most important matches of that same season.
“The Club wishes to express its gratitude to all of those who bought tickets and also point out that a sensible pricing policy for play-off tickets, other than season tickets, will be announced soon so that as many Rangers fans as possible can be at Ibrox to help drive their team towards the Premiership.
“We have gone through the correct channels and it should also be made clear that Rangers will comply fully with Rule C26 and pay a levy of 50% of the other ticket prices. Rangers recognises fully the SPFL’s desire to help their member clubs but as well as having a responsibility to the game in general Rangers has to be mindful of their own fans at all times.”
Talks are believed to be going on between the club and the SPFL over the situation but after making a public statement it’s difficult to imagine the club back-tracking.
Since being granted membership of the SFL which evolved into the SPFL Sevco have been involved in cash disputes over the non-payment of a £250,000 fine for fielding ineligible players by Rangers (IL) and also owe Neil Alexander bonus money.
As things stand with one match to go Sevco will play Queen of the South in the first play-off match with the winners playing Hibs home and away before meeting Motherwell who are currently second bottom of the Premiership.
The SFA have still to confirm that Paul Murray and Dave King are barred from holding office at any member club following their involvement in the liquidation of Rangers, having flouted those rules so far it’s unlikely that another dispute with their fellow clubs will have an impact on the ‘fit and proper’ outcome.