Gers vow to keep fighting for SPFL change

RANGERS signalled they would not give up on their quest for change in the Scottish Professional Football League after their attempts to force an independent investigation were defeated by a two-to-one majority.

Their resolution, supported by Hearts and Stranraer, drew 13 of the 32 votes needed to pass. There were 27 votes against and two clubs abstained.

Rangers had called for SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and legal advisor Rod Mckenzie to be suspended after the vote which ended the lower-league season last month and handed the SPFL board the power to do likewise for the Premiership.

Their resolution got the support of four clubs in the Premiership and one from the Championship, plus eight in the two lower divisions. Two teams from the combined ranks of League

One and League Two abstained.

SPFL chairman Murdoch Maclennan urged unhappy clubs to move on, while promising to address concerns at a later date. But Rangers, who had offered to fund the investigation, claimed the “status quo cannot hold”.

The Ibrox club had criticised the SPFL executive over the information provided ahead of last month’s vote, alleged “poor corporate governance”, argued Mc

Kenzie did not do enough to help with their alternative resolution, and claimed allegations of clubs being bullied had not been addressed. The allegations were denied by the league hierarchy.

After yesterday’s meeting, Rangers said “it would be unwise to regard this as an endorsement of the SPFL executive”.

Their statement added: “A light has been shone on the SPFL’S governance and regardless of the attempts to debunk our report, there is widespread acknowledgement that it highlighted serious issues and failings.

“A management culture which not only fears accountability and scrutiny but which actively campaigns against it, is unhealthy and breeds continued mistrust.

“It is clear that many members have lost confidence in the SPFL leadership and the need for change will not diminish.”