Rangers demand vote investigation

adamant that it wasn’t received and the Dens Park club are now deliberating over a re-submission.

Rangers insist Doncaster and legal advisor Rod McKenzie should be suspended pending an enquiry. MailSport understands that, as well as Drysdale’s messages and photo, the Ibrox board have further supporting evidence.

An Ibrox statement last night read: “We have been presented with evidence that raises serious concerns about the SPFL’s processes relating to its stewardship of the voting on the resolution presented to clubs.

“Rangers’ interim chairman Douglas Park attempted to discuss this with

Neil Doncaster who initially refused to do so. The SPFL followed up that call with an email, which we believe was a thinly-disguised attempt to silence legitimate concerns. “Rangers will not be bullied into silence. It is in the interests of all clubs and supporters that the evidence be addressed as quickly as possible. “The voting debacle and the evidence we possess raise serious questions concerning the corporate governance of the SPFL.”

Doncaster and legal rep McKenzie will now come under serious pressure. With the outcome of the vote still unclear, any investigation would take up even more time.

But Park was unequivocal in his stance that Doncaster and McKenzie should go.

Park said: “The lack of leadership and responsibility from the SPFL as a members’ organisation has shocked me.

“Crucial decisions are being made on the issues of promotion and relegation behind closed doors and without proper time for consideration or debate. The farcical conduct seems to me to bring the corporate governance and business operations of the SPFL into sharp focus.

“We are disturbed by the evidence and feel there is no choice but to call for an independent investigation.

“All we ask for is equality and respect. In the past few days we have become alarmed at a seeming lack of even-handedness and fair play from the SPFL. This is surely unacceptable and, if substantiated, must be remedied. We call for the suspension of Doncaster and McKenzie while an independent investigation is conducted.”

Rangers, along with Hearts in the top flight, voted against the proposal. Their counter resolution was thrown out as legally ‘incompetent’ by the SPFL before Friday’s vote. It was designed to break the impasse and distribute prize money to clubs now.

Rangers later accused the SPFL of bullying and coercing clubs to back the proposal.

If Dundee stick to their guns and reject the SPFL’s proposal, fresh discussions will have to commence as to how the season can be concluded.

But if they change their minds and push it through, Partick Thistle and Stranraer would be relegated, with Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers promoted from the lower leagues.

And crucially, it will also give the SPFL a mandate to call the Premiership season as well, crowning Celtic champions and relegating Hearts.

SPFL chairman Murdo McLennan reacted to Rangers’ statement by urging Park to produce the evidence to back up their accusations.

He said: “It is extremely concerning that Rangers have chosen to make some very serious allegations against the SPFL, its corporate governance, its culture, its office-bearers and business operations.

“I would expect Park to present compelling evidence to back up his claims – or withdraw them.”