Rangers' transfer embargo lifted

[Hibs seven]

Hearts Aberdeen and Dundee United are voting no to the newco going straight into SPL.


Scottish Sun reporting they are looking to buy Bury so they can move to England.

England dont want the baggage that comes with them (trust me!!) , have read Vlad's open letter re the reason for the no vote, well done to him, hope the Hibs board do likewise. Let them in and Scottish football will be forever tainted.

[Talk O' The Toun]

Hearts Aberdeen and Dundee United are voting no to the newco going straight into SPL.


Scottish Sun reporting they are looking to buy Bury so they can move to England.

England dont want the baggage that comes with them (trust me!!) , have read Vlad's open letter re the reason for the no vote, well done to him, hope the Hibs board do likewise. Let them in and Scottish football will be forever tainted.

Aberdeen released a statement yesterday stating they have made no decision as yet and it is pure spectulation that they are voting no. Also reports that St Johnstone are leaning towards no and I would be very suprised if Hibs were not doing the same after hearing Petrie talk about sporting integrity.

Joint statement from the Scottish FA, SPL and SFL was also released yesterday. Interesting timing for a league reconstruction

"All three parties have been involved in productive discussions for some time on the subject of league reconstruction. This culminated in a positive meeting last night, out of which the two league bodies will now engage in a wider consultation with their member clubs.

"The discussions are based on the key principles for reconstruction outlined in the Henry McLeish Review of Scottish football:

* One league body in the senior game
* Promotion/relegation play-off between SPL and SFL First Division
* Single financial distribution model
* Pyramid system, with the potential for relegation from and promotion to the fourth tier

"Further consultation will take place in the near future, with the aim of reaching a positive outcome on a new model to take Scottish football forward."

[Hibs seven]

Whittaker and Naisnith have now also lodged legal action to get their contrcats voided, not al lot of badge kissing going on down at Castle Greyskull now.

[God is an Englishman]

England dont want the baggage that comes with them (trust me!!)

I don't think most English people would care about rangers and if they came into the English system. The only issue would be where they start?

[DOC]

England dont want the baggage that comes with them (trust me!!)

I don't think most English people would care about rangers and if they came into the English system. The only issue would be where they start?

By that he means the FA and football league

[God is an Englishman]

England dont want the baggage that comes with them (trust me!!)

I don't think most English people would care about rangers and if they came into the English system. The only issue would be where they start?

By that he means the FA and football league

What's it got to do with FA? They won't go straight to the premier league.

[Hibs seven]

Just took this from the Hibs website.

Club Statement 24 Jun 2012
Hibernian FC Board confirms voting intentions
Following a meeting of its Board of Directors, Hibernian FC confirmed that the Club will vote against the transfer of the Rangers share in the SPL to a newco at the General Meeting of SPL clubs on 4 July 2012. This re-affirms the view of the Board that the sporting integrity of the SPL is of paramount importance.
The Board is also acutely aware that in making this decision, Hibernian - like other clubs in the SPL - will suffer collateral financial damage at a time of severe economic hardship and uncertainty. The Board believes it is time for all fair minded supporters to get behind their clubs and to contribute in whatever way they can to the viability of the professional game in Scotland.

Short statement and to the point but I belive the bolded sentence sums it all up.

[Hibs seven]

Vlad's thoughts on the matter.

Romanov said: "The opinion of Heart of Midlothian FC in regards to the current situation of Scottish football is clear and robust.

"The football mafia represented by former owners of Rangers FC and Rupert Murdoch's media are to blame for some of the worst problems to hit Scottish football and must not be allowed back in under any circumstances.

"As regards the club itself, we can only express our deepest condolences to its supporters, who have been lied to for so many years.

"It had to happen sooner or later. Victories were achieved not by sporting merits, but through slander, conspiracies amongst players and their poaching via third parties, unfair pressuring of referees, who in themselves are as valuable to the fabric of football as the football stars themselves.

"All of this brought hollow victories and destroyed football. We can also mention the attempts to eliminate Hearts with the help of the tax petitions, through false accusations and threats to revoke the club license. There is a saying about digging a grave for someone: you get it for yourself …

"Without these people football will become cleaner and stronger. Without Murdoch the whole of society will improve, in particular sport and culture.

"Supporters deserve a new beginning and have to accept the fact that their club has to start from the lower league, keeping order in the SPL and without creating unfair competition with other clubs.

"As regards the pitiful state of Scottish football finances, a lot of the blame should be placed at the doors of Murdoch's media. They pay huge sums to English clubs, whilst in Scotland, where football is better supported per capita than anywhere else in Europe and there are more cable or Sky subscribers per capita than in England, clubs receive peanuts for their broadcasting rights.

No sitting on the fence, acknowledges the Rangers supporters who will suffer but football will become cleaner and stronger.

I have nevere said this before and very much doubt will ever say again. "WELL DONE VLAD."

[Hibs seven]

Not looking good now!

From BBC News Website. Looks like no ones fans wanted them.


Newco Rangers will not get votes for SPL transfer
A newco Rangers will be refused admittance to the Scottish Premier League, with six clubs publicly saying they will vote against the application.

St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Inverness announced their opposition on Monday, following in the footsteps of Hearts, Dundee United and Hibernian.

Rangers require an 8-4 majority in the 4 July vote to transfer their share in the league to Charles Green's newco.

Green's club is now likely to apply to play in the Scottish Football League.

Rangers, champions of Scotland a record 54 times, lost their the SPL place when the old company was consigned to liquidation earlier this month.

Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne said: "I can confirm it is our intention to oppose readmission to the SPL for any Rangers newco.

"If readmission were to be refused, we believe the appropriate course of action would be for Rangers newco to apply for membership to the SFA and to submit an application for admission to the SFL."

Inverness chairman Kenny Cameron said the club would be in an "untenable position" if they ignored the wishes of their supporters.


Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne will vote no to newco Rangers' SPL application
"We have listened to all our customers and taken the decision and we now look forward to their support going forward," he said.

"Financially, we examined the various scenarios and, frankly, none of them were positive for our club. It is extremely disappointing to be adversely affected by something not of our doing.

"We have also been contacted by supporters of various other SPL clubs, saying they would not be back to Inverness if we did not accept that sporting integrity was what mattered, but this is something that we had already considered and it is not only the integrity of the SPL that is at stake but the integrity of Scottish football.

"It is quite clear, that supporter opinion in Scotland overwhelming supports that view."

St Johnstone later added: "The board believes that sporting integrity should not be sacrificed in favour of economic expediency.

"It is important that a clear and unambiguous message goes out from the custodians of Scottish football that this sort of scenario should never be allowed to happen again."

Hibernian's Rod Petrie had been the first chairman to say that the integrity of the competition should come before financial considerations .

And on Sunday night the Edinburgh club released a statement saying: "Following a board meeting, Hibernian confirm the club will vote against the transfer of the Rangers share in the SPL.

"This reaffirms the view of the board that the sporting integrity of the SPL is of paramount importance.

"The board is also acutely aware that in making this decision, Hibernian - like other clubs in the SPL - will suffer collateral financial damage at a time of severe economic hardship and uncertainty."

Hearts were first to announce their decision before Dundee United chairman Steven Thompson followed suit after a meeting with fans' groups.

The vacancy in Scotland's top flight could instead be taken by either relegated Dunfermline or First Division runners-up Dundee.

Rangers were forced into administration in February over an unpaid tax bill and failure to secure a CVA [company voluntary arrangement] in order to exit the process allowed Green to purchase the club's assets in a £5.5m deal.

Also related to this story

[Faith No More]

No Rangers in SPL.
No real competition in SPL.
More reason to beleive Scottish football has sunk deeper into the backwater of long ball shite !
Just give Celtic the title now or let them play in the EPL or championship for some real competition.
SPL up with the great leagues in Albania, Lithuania & Malta.
Won't be paying money for Setanta this season to watch Livingston v Callie Thistle.

[DOC]

No Rangers in SPL.
No real competition in SPL.
More reason to beleive Scottish football has sunk deeper into the backwater of long ball shite !
Just give Celtic the title now or let them play in the EPL or championship for some real competition.
SPL up with the great leagues in Albania, Lithuania & Malta.
Won't be paying money for Setanta this season to watch Livingston v Callie Thistle.

No clue

[God is an Englishman]

No Rangers in SPL.
No real competition in SPL.
More reason to beleive Scottish football has sunk deeper into the backwater of long ball shite !
Just give Celtic the title now or let them play in the EPL or championship for some real competition.
SPL up with the great leagues in Albania, Lithuania & Malta.
Won't be paying money for Setanta this season to watch Livingston v Callie Thistle.

No clue

He's got every clue, cletic will the title without trying for the next 3 years. Who's going to challenge?

Who's going to pay for setanta now?

[HMFC]

No Rangers in SPL.
No real competition in SPL.
More reason to beleive Scottish football has sunk deeper into the backwater of long ball shite !
Just give Celtic the title now or let them play in the EPL or championship for some real competition.
SPL up with the great leagues in Albania, Lithuania & Malta.
Won't be paying money for Setanta this season to watch Livingston v Callie Thistle.

No clue

He's got every clue, cletic will the title without trying for the next 3 years. Who's going to challenge?

Who's going to pay for setanta now?

I will be. We should finish at least 1 place higher next season.

The battle for 3rd has changed to 2nd. Sounds more interesting to me.

[DOC]

No Rangers in SPL.
No real competition in SPL.
More reason to beleive Scottish football has sunk deeper into the backwater of long ball shite !
Just give Celtic the title now or let them play in the EPL or championship for some real competition.
SPL up with the great leagues in Albania, Lithuania & Malta.
Won't be paying money for Setanta this season to watch Livingston v Callie Thistle.

No clue

He's got every clue, cletic will the title without trying for the next 3 years. Who's going to challenge?

Who's going to pay for setanta now?

so every celtic, hearts, hibs, aberdeen, etc fan will suddenly stop supporting their team and not pay to watch them?

I know myself and my mates who have it are keeping it

aluko, mccabe, whittaker and naismith, who was easily the form player in the spl before doing his knee, have all said they will not join newco, they will most likely join other spl clubs, hence strengthening the comp. hearts and well at times pushed the glasgow clubs this season just gone, few key signings and it could be an interesting season

rangers got caught cheating and are now paying the price and being brought to justice, i for one am happy and i think it will strengthen the spl, the spl does not need a strong rangers to survive

[Nice One Cyril]

the spl does not need a strong rangers to survive

Very true, it will survive.

But it will be even more of an irrelevance outside of Scotland.

[DOC]

the spl does not need a strong rangers to survive

Very true, it will survive.

But it will be even more of an irrelevance outside of Scotland.

how? rangers fans are going to support the newco, and pretty sure no ther teams fans are going to stop supporting...

[Nice One Cyril]

the spl does not need a strong rangers to survive

Very true, it will survive.

But it will be even more of an irrelevance outside of Scotland.

how? rangers fans are going to support the newco, and pretty sure no ther teams fans are going to stop supporting...

That's why I said outside of Scotland. Not much will change up there, but Scottish teams will have even less impact (if that's possible) in Europe.

[DOC]

That's why I said outside of Scotland. Not much will change up there, but Scottish teams will have even less impact (if that's possible) in Europe.

how can you predict that? who would have thought monaco would do well that year, or the romanian teams would step up, or the ukraine teams, this could be the event that strangthens scottish football, now that the cheating huns are out of the picture

[DOC]

the best part about this is lawell and celtic haven't even gone public with their vote and wont have too, there were rumours he would vote yes mainly to cash in on the marque derby fixture, but this would risk alienating fans for a business decision based on monetary gain, but with 6 teams going public stating no, it doesn't matter now so he can vote no and look like a saint

[Hibs seven]

The upshot is that almost all the clubs that have made their 'No' vote public acknowledge that no Rangers, Newco, Team 12 or whatever they will be known as will have major implications to their budgetting for the season.

But all have said that the integrity of the game in Scotland (or anywhere else) must be maintained, even if it means hardtimes for a few years. AS Vlad Romanov, Hearts Chairman stated in his release the trophies gained over recent years by Rangers have been hollow victories and hopefully when the dust settles these titles and trophy wins will be stripped and awarded to the team who finished top that did not cheat.

[God is an Englishman]

I enjoy watching the auld firm games. Won't bother watching any games without the pride od scotland in the league. Will 'gers fans bother getting it, will they even show rangers v highland skirt wearers athletical?

No fun watching scotlands shame win the league by christmas.

[DOC]

The upshot is that almost all the clubs that have made their 'No' vote public acknowledge that no Rangers, Newco, Team 12 or whatever they will be known as will have major implications to their budgetting for the season.

But all have said that the integrity of the game in Scotland (or anywhere else) must be maintained, even if it means hardtimes for a few years. AS Vlad Romanov, Hearts Chairman stated in his release the trophies gained over recent years by Rangers have been hollow victories and hopefully when the dust settles these titles and trophy wins will be stripped and awarded to the team who finished top that did not cheat.

Most teams don't include the money the Glasgow clubs bring in as it may only happen twice a season for the likes of st Mirren, hence it's bonus money for these clubs, even though rangers owe them all money

[Bomber]

A small league becoming even smaller - yet we have so many scots celebrating!

[Faith No More]

The upshot is that almost all the clubs that have made their 'No' vote public acknowledge that no Rangers, Newco, Team 12 or whatever they will be known as will have major implications to their budgetting for the season.

But all have said that the integrity of the game in Scotland (or anywhere else) must be maintained, even if it means hardtimes for a few years. AS Vlad Romanov, Hearts Chairman stated in his release the trophies gained over recent years by Rangers have been hollow victories and hopefully when the dust settles these titles and trophy wins will be stripped and awarded to the team who finished top that did not cheat.

Most teams don't include the money the Glasgow clubs bring in as it may only happen twice a season for the likes of st Mirren, hence it's bonus money for these clubs, even though rangers owe them all money

what a great idea, give all the titles to Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, Hibs etc and just ignore all the contribution Rangers had to Scottish football.
make the league even more 3rd world to everybody who doesn't wear a kilt or toss a caber than it alreadty was.
I bet Chelsea & Man City are quivering thinking of having to play Celtic in the UCL !
I'm sure that the Scottish care not what others think, good luck to them, now they have the SPL all to themselves forever, as NO ONE WILL CARE ! More interesting watching Blue Square or Norways top flight !

[God is an Englishman]

6 turkeys voting for christmas!

[DOC]

Cheating is a positive contribution?

[God is an Englishman]

Cheating is a positive contribution?

What they did isn't cheating the league, you will argue that is contravenes the laws but in that case, If a celtic player ever committed a foul then they cheated.

The facts are that the other clubs will financially not be as well off should rangers not be there.

As i said, I am not going to watch celtic v dundee, but I would watch them v rangers.

[Facts and Stats]

England dont want the baggage that comes with them (trust me!!)

I don't think most English people would care about rangers and if they came into the English system. The only issue would be where they start?

I guess the computer that decides the fixtures would determine that.

[bazCFC4life]

hope the titles go the filthy cheats

[Hibs seven]

From this mornings Scotsman. Southampton have dumped them from pre season tournament. All clubs next week are getting a vote to decide if they will get into Div 1 or Div 3. Some non league clubs with league aspirations may consider legal action as to why they do not get a chance before a newly formed team and company, you could not write this script.

By STEPHEN HALLIDAY
Published on Wednesday 27 June 2012 00:17


THE trickle of Rangers players turning their back on the reconstituted Ibrox club turned into a flood last night as Allan McGregor, Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty and Jamie Ness all joined the exodus after declining to transfer their contracts to Charles Green’s newco Rangers.


• Lee Wallace has pledged future to Ibrox club despite ongoing uncertainty

• Rhys McCabe, Sone Aluko, Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith joined by Allan McGregor, Steven Davis, Jamie Ness and Kyle Lafferty in leaving the club

• Lee McCulloch the only other player besides Wallace to pledge future to Rangers


They joined Steven Naismith, Steven Whittaker, Sone Aluko and Rhys McCabe, who registered their objections before the start of this week.

A statement from lawyer Margaret Gribbon of Bridge Litigation issued shortly after 9pm read: “Allan McGregor, Steven Davis, Jamie Ness and Kyle Lafferty have instructed PFA lawyers’ Bridge Litigation UK to object to their transfer to the Rangers’ newco.”

Lee Wallace had earlier pledged his future to the newco club, which is almost certain to start life outside the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

But Wallace and Lee McCulloch are the only two players to have committed themselves publicly to staying at Ibrox and Green now faces the prospect of more players walking away, possibly without compensation.

The law firm’s statement added: “The union’s lawyers are already instructed in this matter for Rhys McCabe and Sone Aluko.

“Bridge Litigation UK has confirmed that letters of objection have been sent to the club along with requests to the SFA to release the players’ registrations.

“Bridge Litigation UK have shared with the players the contents of legal guidance issued by the SFA last week on the issue of TUPE and player registration and which they state supports their legal view that an objection under TUPE amounts to a lawful termination of contract giving the club no entitlement to a claim for compensation.”

Ms Gribbon added: “This has been an extremely difficult period for all the players and in the end their decisions were influenced largely by footballing considerations.

“SPL football appears highly unlikely and even First Division football cannot be guaranteed in light of comments made today by two First Division clubs.

“The players’ commitment and loyalty to oldco Rangers cannot be questioned; they voluntarily took significant wage cuts in a genuine act of solidarity which ensured that none of the playing squad or club staff would lose their jobs.

“But for their contribution, it’s likely that the club would not have survived until the end of the season.

“As professional footballers, the players’ careers are relatively short lived and they are entitled to exercise basic employment rights the law affords to all employees in this country under the TUPE Regulations. I now expect the SFA and Fifa to interpret their rules and regulations in accordance with the TUPE legislation so that the players’ registrations can be released without delay.”

Green continues to dispute the interpretation of the TUPE regulations regarding transfer of contracts, which PFA Scotland have informed players means they are free to leave if they choose. Green held talks with PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart on Monday and it is understood that dialogue continued yesterday. But the union are firm in their conviction their members are not obliged to move their contracts across to a newco.

Aluko, whose initial short-term contract contained an option for both parties to extend it, was the first to inform Rangers last week he would not sign for the newco. The Nigerian winger is now a target for MLS club Houston Dynamo. McCabe, the teenage midfielder who made his first-team breakthrough at the end of last season, followed. Then on Sunday, Scottish internationals Naismith and Whittaker both announced they would be invoking their rights to move on in the event of liquidation of their employers.

Rumours had been rife in Glasgow all day yesterday that McGregor, Lafferty and Davis were ready to walk away, and along with Ness, they confirmed their intentions last night.

Scotland goalkeeper McGregor and captain Davis were arguably the most vaulable assets in the squad before Rangers entered administration under Craig Whyte and, as two of the most talented players in the squad, to lose them will be crushing blow for manager Ally McCoist. There was a little respite for Rangers supporters yesterday, however, when Scotland full-back Wallace declared he would be seeing out the remainder of his contract regardless of the newco status of the club. “When I arrived at Ibrox, the support from the club, players and fans was fantastic,” said the former Hearts player. “The fans showed great faith in us all during tough times and I still feel I have more to show them during the remainder of my contract. My partner is expecting our first baby soon and my priority is to my family. This gives me the incentive to improve my performance and ultimately win trophies.

“My personal decision in no way condemns or judges those made by my fellow professionals as I believe each person has different circumstances and reasons. I respect the decision taken by each individual player.”

The first-team squad are due to report back to Murray Park tomorrow for fitness tests before pre-season training begins in earnest on Monday.

Rangers were hit by another blow last night when it was revealed they have been dumped from Southampton’s Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup On 14 July.

Belgian champions Anderlecht will replace them, a decision the Saints’ website said was due to “the well-publicised circumstances surrounding the Scottish side”.

The website statement went on: “The decision has not been made lightly and has been reached with the integrity of the competition in mind, ensuring that the annual event will remain an extremely competitive experience with both Arsenal and Anderlecht bringing along a first team squad.”

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