RAISE THE RIGHT FLAG
to win an interim interdict preventing the SFA from stepping in as arbitrators and resolving the row between Ibrox and Hampden’s sixth floor.
And that has killed off any hope of peace breaking out before Rangers celebrate last season’s title ahead of Motherwell’s visit on September 18.
Record Sport understands that Scotland’s champions will be sent a design of the official top-flight-winning flag.
But the artwork will be emblazoned by the logo of online car dealers cinch – who have struck an £8m partnership with the league’s governing body – and the club will have the right to turn it down if they feel it breaches their own commercial interests.
Rangers have refused to promote the branding of the firm since the start of the campaign and the row had been passed to the SFA to be resolved at arbitration.
But by going to court, Park – who runs one of the country’s biggest car dealerships – has brought the process grinding to a halt for the time being.
And if Rangers refuse to accept the official version from Hampden bosses then they may choose to come up with a design of their own for the traditional title ceremony.
A source said: “It’s all becoming a bit farcical. It’s another embarrassment the SPFL could do without after a number of highprofile flag-based fiascos over the last few weeks.”
Park’s surprise legal move yesterday has further deepened the rift.
A spokesperson for Park’s of Hamilton said: “We can confirm Park’s of Hamilton Holdings Ltd has today been successfully granted an interim interdict at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, to prevent the SFA from proceeding with its arbitration process.
“For the purposes of Park’s interim interdict application, the Court considered the failure to include Park’s went against the SFA’s own rules.
“This ruling prevents the SFA from proceeding with an arbitration process without Park’s of Hamilton being involved.
“We were surprised that both the SFA and SPFL vehemently argued against this petition, despite the fact that their rules clearly state that any arbitration process should feature all interested parties.
“Park’s is proud of its association with the SFA and Scottish football so it is with regret that we were forced to take this action.
“This is a decision we did not take lightly but felt it had to be made as a matter of principle, to protect the rights of club sponsors throughout all levels of the game.”
The club later issued an statement which read: “Today’s court ruling once again underlines ongoing concerns regarding the corporate governance and leadership of the SPFL.
“We have complied with the SPFL’s own rules but today’s court hearing was one that could easily have been avoided if those responsible had adopted a more consensual and less confrontational approach.
“The Executive of the SPFL required to carry out effective due diligence before entering into its contract with the new league sponsor. Instead, an inadequate and antagonistic approach appears to have been adopted; one it is hard to imagine is in the best interests of the SPFL’s member clubs.”