Ex-Rangers owner denies allegations of cheating

News Reporter

Tuesday 7 August 2012

SIR David Murray has denied cheating took place during his time in charge of Rangers after an inquiry got under way into alleged undisclosed payments to players and staff.

NEIL LENNON: Has called for Rangers to be stripped of titles if it is proved they were won through cheating. UNDER PRESSURE: Sir David Murray's record at Rangers has come under scrutiny. Picture: Martin Shields

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Helen McArdle

The former Rangers chairman accused the Scottish Premier League, which appointed an independent commission last week to probe the claims, of attempting to "retrospectively rewrite laws to incorporate items not previously covered".

The probe will determine whether the club breached SPL rules in relation to Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) payments and arrangements for players between 2001 and 2010.

The Ibrox side, which is beginning life in the Third Division as a "newco" after Rangers were liquidated, faces the possibility of being stripped of league titles, a punishment the club has said it would strenuously challenge.In a statement yesterday, Sir David said: "During my stewardship of Rangers no rules were breached or circumvented and I reject and resent any suggestion that anything was done which amounted to cheating."I cannot be anything other than angered at the suggestion Rangers should be stripped of titles or other competition victories."It would appear that the SPL is once again seeking to invest itself with a power of retrospective penalty beyond that prescribed in its own rules."Sir David sold his majority shareholding in the Ibrox club to venture capitalist Craig Whyte for £1 in May last year. Whyte then put the club into administration in February over an unpaid tax bill.Failure to exit administration via a Company Voluntary Arrangement meant the club was consigned to liquidation over the summer, before a consortium fronted by Charles Green purchased the assets of Rangers.Sir David said he had decided to speak out in response to "continuing attempts to inflict further punishment on Rangers Football Club".It follows allegations in a recent BBC TV investigation which claimed 63 players and 24 staff received EBTs totalling £47 million over nine years, including Sir David.It alleged the former owner received £6.3m from the scheme. Former manager Alex McLeish reportedly received £1.7m, and other players also reportedly benefited. Celtic manager Neil Lennon last month called for Rangers to be stripped of titles if they were shown to have been won through cheating, saying that it would be "a moral victory for those who were treated unfairly".However, Sir David said no rules were broken with regards to payment of players while he was at the Ibrox helm and said the SPL was seeking to rewrite its own rules.He said: "As was required of a PLC, all accounts were fully audited and made available to all entitled parties. "All football rules were complied with. All enquiries from entitled parties or organisations were answered."To those who criticise certain actions undertaken on behalf of the club, I suggest that they familiarise themselves with all relevant rules before they come to any conclusions or express any opinions."This is particularly relevant to the SPL rules where it would appear that there are efforts to retrospectively rewrite laws to incorporate items not previously covered."Sir David also attempted to clarify the club's use of the scheme.He said: "Since 2001, when the EBT scheme was introduced, the amounts contributed were disclosed in the audited financial statements of the club. "These audited accounts were provided to the SFA and SPL as required."As the law stands, it is the right of every taxpayer to minimise his tax liability. For example, taxpayers are entitled to maximise contributions to pension funds and benefit from the resultant tax allowances."Tax avoidance is a right. It is tax evasion which is a crime."In December 2010, as a result of legislation changes introduced by HMRC, EBTs were rendered tax inefficient. "Thereafter, the club made no further contributions to EBTs."For the avoidance of doubt, many thousands of employees in many areas of business and commerce have benefited from EBTs."Rangers sought only to provide financial security for players (and staff) within the rules of law and football."

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Ex-Rangers owner denies allegations of cheating

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