Fines or points deductions against newco Rangers are 'not inevitable'

Chief Sports Writer

Tuesday 8 May 2012

THE prospect of a newco Rangers playing in the SPL increased last night after clubs adjourned a vote on fair play sanctions.

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Hugh MacDonald

Neil Doncaster, the chief executive of the SPL, also conceded that fines or points deductions against a newco Rangers were not inevitable, saying: "In the ordinary course of events, a newco would come in without penalties unless any are agreed to come with it."

The reinvention of Rangers as a newco is the brainchild of Bill Miller, the US tycoon, who has been given preferred bidder status by Duff & Phelps, who were appointed administrators to Rangers in February.It was reported at the weekend that legal advice given to the SPL suggested sanctions could be challenged. Doncaster would not comment on these claims but denied any ''assurances'' on any punishment for Rangers had been given to Miller, saying he had only had one conversation with the businessman.The chief executive also revealed that the SPL vote on any newco bid to enter the SPL would be taken by all 12 clubs, not the SPL board, and would thus only require an 8-4 majority vote. This means five SPL clubs would have to vote against Rangers to prevent the Ibrox club re-entering the league under another guise. This is a highly unlikely scenario.The SPL will meet again on May 30 but Doncaster admitted there was no certainty a vote could be taken then, admitting the SPL was ''on the sidelines'' as matters rested with administrators and the preferred bidder. An application for a newco had to come from Ibrox and then it would be decided upon, but Doncaster gave no timescale for that eventuality.Rangers were not represented at yesterday's meeting, instead asking for an adjournment over fair play sanctions and any change in rules of voting. Doncaster denied the situation had descended into a ''shambles'' and insisted that sporting integrity was ''very, very important''.Asked if clubs were only interested in cash rather than integrity, he said: ''I think that is entirely unfair on the owners who are concerned with the survival of their clubs.''Doncaster could not give a date for completion of the SPL investigation over alleged dual payments by Rangers, saying: ''It's a complex investigation and it will be completed when it is completed. It is being carried out by the league's solicitors and it is a hefty piece of work.''A spokesman for Duff & Phelps said: "As administrators, we have a duty to act in the interests of the club, hence the reason for us tabling a proxy vote in case any decisions were reached today. As far as voting on longer-term constitutional issues, we felt this is something that is more a matter for a new owner."The SPL decision was made as Brian Kennedy, owner of Sale Sharks, continues to hold talks with Craig Whyte over the transfer of Rangers shares. The move increases speculation that Paul Murray's Blue Knights consortium, which had allied itself with Kennedy, is not yet out of the race for the club.

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Fines or points deductions against newco Rangers are 'not inevitable'

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