Rangers’ SPFL dispute is open wound that must be ‘cauterised’
● Game cannot move on until the row is settled says SFA vice-president Mulraney
Scottish FA vice-president Mike Mulraney has described Rangers’ dispute with the SPFL executive as ‘white noise’, insisting it is an open wound which must be ‘cauterised’ to allow Scottish football to fully focus on dealing with the Covid-19 crisis.
The Ibrox club are expected to release their dossier of evidence tomorrow relating to their allegations of ‘bullying and coercion’ and misgovernance by the SPFL in the passing of the resolution to call time on the 2019-20 season. Along with Hearts and Stranraer, Rangers have requisitioned an EGM of all 42 SPFL clubs which will take place on 12 May seeking support for an independent investigation into last month’s controversial vote.
Alloa chairman and owner Mulraney has defended Rangers’ right to raise their concerns and says he will give their evidence ‘due consideration’ when he receives it.
But Mulraney, a member of the Scottish FA/SPFL Joint Response Group tackling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, feels the often acrimonious debate must be settled soon to allow a unified approach from all clubs to the global health crisis.
“Any club who are upset to the point Rangers are, they have an entitlement to express their frustration and anger,” said Mulraney.
“That’s what being a members’ organisation is all about. We have to listen to each other.
“I don’t know what it is they feel the SPFL executive has done wrong. I will give it due consideration and I’m sure that whatever befalls that release of information, I’ll pay attention to it and make a decision on how I feel about it.
“What we need to do is get through Tuesday and get the current wound in Scottish football cauterised.
“We are under attack from a horrible virus – the country, the world and our football. Football is the small bit I’m partially responsible for.
“When you have an open wound within a small group of members, it is unhelpful in terms of resolving the huge problem we have.
“However, until you can get that dealt with, you can’t move on. So that will be part of what we need to deal with over the next week. We should respect everyone’s right to be
“Rangers have an entitlement to express their frustration and anger. We have to listen to each other”
MIKE MULRANEY