Rangers vote: They sink... it’s all over
(Well, until footy bosses hammer out rescue plan)
THE Rangers crisis took an incredible new twist yesterday after the club were voted into the Third Division — as worried footy chiefs plotted to rescue them.
The SPL and SFA fear a number of top clubs will DIE if the Ibrox side are thrown into the soccer wilderness, as lucrative TV and sponsorship deals could be lost.
Now they hope to overcome the vote by 25 of the SFL’s 30 clubs to banish the Light Blues into the bottom tier of Scottish football — by creating a new SPL2 league.
And there are even plans to consider reinstating Rangers to the SPL at a crisis meeting on Monday.
An insider said: “The prospect will be discussed.”
The moves come despite Gers fans and rival clubs WANTING Charles Green’s newco club to begin life in Division Three.
London-based footy finance expert Chris Brady said last night: “Integrity is all very well but the SPL know having Rangers in the Third Division is footballing suicide.
“Quite simply they are hatching this plot to try and save the TV deal and keep the money in the Scottish game. If Scottish football is being honest with itself they know they need the Old Firm to survive at a reasonable level.”
The plans are being driven by SPL supremo Neil Doncaster and SFA chief Stewart Regan, who has said putting Rangers in the Third Division rather than the first division would bring about a “slow, lingering death” to Scottish football.
They fear several premier league clubs could go bust, with yesterday’s decision costing the national game up to £80MILLION.
SPL sides — who earlier this month refused to allow newco Rangers into their own league — want the Glasgow giants back in 12 months to protect their TV and sponsorship dosh. And it is believed a number of clubs are planning emergency meetings to discuss the financial implications of yesterday’s vote.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have already called crisis talks to discuss their financial future and other sides are expected to follow.
Within minutes of yesterday’s vote it was revealed there were plans for an SPL2. It would see the SPL invite First Division clubs — and Rangers — into the new breakaway league.
The controversial proposal was revealed on the Rangers website. A statement said: “Rangers’ future remains uncertain after the SFL clubs voted against the Light Blues playing in the First Division next season. The 30 member clubs agreed to accept Rangers into the SFL but voted against the SFL board being allowed to broker a deal with the SPL and SFA over new structures and procedures which would also include Rangers playing in Division One.
“It is now understood that on the back of a briefing SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster and SFA counterpart Stewart Regan gave to clubs last week that the SPL will introduce a plan for SPL2 — which would include Rangers — and invite existing Division One members to join.”
Shortly afterwards the club issued a revised, toned-down release saying: “It was mooted last week that plans for an SPL2 would swing into action in the event of today’s outcome but it is not known if this will be the case.” Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston last night said it would NOT be a shock to see the SFA and SPL formulating plans for an SPL2.
But he added: “The 10 First Division clubs sent out a message today saying we are looking for a 42-club solution, the vote was 25 to five so I think that was fairly unanimous.”
And Livingston chairman Gordon McDougall is adamant an SPL2 is a non-starter. He said: “I don’t think there is any chance of that. We all want a 42-club solution to this situation with all 42 clubs working together for football but I have no idea what is likely to happen.
“We have made a decision, I sincerely hope the decision is respected and we go forward with Rangers in the Third Division. Ally McCoist and Charles Green were adamant they would respect our decision.” SFL president Jim Ballantyne — whose club, Airdrie United, are poised to now be promoted to Division One — said: “We don’t have any control over the SPL and they are entitled to do whatever they wish, within their own rules.
“But it’s important to mention that the Division One clubs went out of their way to make it clear that their route regarding a solution involved all 42 teams. Other bodies are going to have to look at the decision we’ve taken and decide what view they are going to take.”
SFL chief executive David Longmuir, who was at yesterday’s vote along with Ballantyne and vice president Ewen Cameron, said the decison was taken “in the best interest of sporting fairness”.
He added: “The SFL has been consistent with our willingness to work with other bodies to ensure that we focus on rebuilding our game, restoring pride in our game and exploring revenue streams and our willingness to achieve these aims does not alter.”
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/feeds/smartphone/scotland/4428910/Rangers-vote-They-sink-its-all-over.html#ixzz20eCOrHgI
