Rangers Transfer Embargo & Fines Upheld after Appeal

May 17, 2012

Glasgow Rangers have lost their appeal to eradicate their 12-month transfer embargo and £160, apoplectic 000 in fines imposed on the Ibrox club by an SFA Judicial Panel for a series of disciplinary rule breaches under Craig Whyte’s ownership.

A three-man Appellate Tribunal, order chaired by Supreme Court judge Lord Carloway, announced their decision just before 11pm last night to uphold the original decision, despite the legal argument put forward on behalf of Rangers by leading QC Richard Keen.On 23 April, Rangers were found guilty of five disciplinary charges brought against them as a result of Lord William Nimmo Smith’s independent inquiry into events at the club since Whyte took control in May last year.

These included bringing the game into disrepute in the period which saw Whyte withhold PAYE and VAT payments due from the club.The SFA subsequently published a lengthy document detailing the reasons for the sanctions in which it was stated only match fixing would have been regarded as a more serious offence.

It also revealed the Judicial Panel had considered terminating Rangers’ membership of the SFA.Lord Carloway, assisted by Spartans chairman Craig Graham and former Partick Thistle chairman Allan Cowan, concluded that the punishment was “proportionate to the breach, dissuasive to other and effective in the context of serious misconduct.

”They added that the decision to prevent Rangers signing any players next season does not affect the club’s ability to extend the existing contracts of players, noting that there are currently over 40 professionals on their books.Rangers, who employed leading advocate Keen with money raised by supporters for the club’s Fighting Fund since they went into administration in February, had contested that Whyte’s actions should be treated separately to those of the club.

But the Appellate Tribunal ruled that the original decision was competent as the “conduct involved was attributable to the club as a member of the SFA”.

The decision is another significant blow for Rangers and new owner Charles Green as they look to emerge from administration through a CVA.

 

Glasgow Rangers have lost their appeal to eradicate their 12-month transfer embargo and £160,000 in fines imposed on the Ibrox club by an SFA Judicial Panel for a series of disciplinary rule breaches under Craig Whyte’s ownership.
A three-man Appellate Tribunal, chaired by Supreme Court judge Lord Carloway, announced their decision just before 11pm last night to uphold the original decision, despite the legal argument put forward on behalf of Rangers by leading QC Richard Keen.
On 23 April, Rangers were found guilty of five disciplinary charges brought against them as a result of Lord William Nimmo Smith’s independent inquiry into events at the club since Whyte took control in May last year. These included bringing the game into disrepute in the period which saw Whyte withhold PAYE and VAT payments due from the club.
The SFA subsequently published a lengthy document detailing the reasons for the sanctions in which it was stated only match fixing would have been regarded as a more serious offence. It also revealed the Judicial Panel had considered terminating Rangers’ membership of the SFA.
Lord Carloway, assisted by Spartans chairman Craig Graham and former Partick Thistle chairman Allan Cowan, concluded that the punishment was “proportionate to the breach, dissuasive to other and effective in the context of serious misconduct.”
They added that the decision to prevent Rangers signing any players next season does not affect the club’s ability to extend the existing contracts of players, noting that there are currently over 40 professionals on their books.
Rangers, who employed leading advocate Keen with money raised by supporters for the club’s Fighting Fund since they went into administration in February, had contested that Whyte’s actions should be treated separately to those of the club.
But the Appellate Tribunal ruled that the original decision was competent as the “conduct involved was attributable to the club as a member of the SFA”.
The decision is another significant blow for Rangers and new owner Charles Green as they look to emerge from administration through a CVA