ALL-OUT WAR
Furious Rangers call for Doncaster suspension after SPFL vote farce
RANGERS last night called for the suspension of SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and its legal adviser Rod McKenzie, and demanded an independent probe into the league’s handling of the coronavirus crisis ballot.
The Ibrox club believe they possess damning evidence related to the so-called ‘missing’ vote presented by Dundee.
The Dens Park outfit were expected to reject the motion to end the three lower leagues now and pause action on the Premiership until the end of the month.
However, despite Dundee indicating to Partick Thistle and Inverness CT counterparts that their ‘no’ vote had been lodged, the Championship count was revealed by the SPFL to be balanced at 7-2.
The other three divisions passed the 75-per-cent requirement to pass the resolution for awarding titles and triggering relegation on a points-per-game
basis. Dens Park managing director John Nelms is now left holding the casting vote on the future shape of Scottish football, with Rangers the driving force behind the demand for answers as to how Dundee’s intended ‘no’ vote did not materialise.
Interim chairman Douglas Park has demanded action against the league hierarchy and answers from an independent inquiry into the debacle.
The SPFL hit back at Rangers with a statement requesting that Park should ‘urgently communicate’ their information.
Rangers will be happy to provide evidence but only for the independent investigation team once they have been appointed.
The club believes the SPFL has a fiduciary duty to establish such a response when their processes have been called into question.
‘Rangers interim chairman Douglas Park attempted to discuss this evidence with SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster, who initially refused to do so,’ said the statement.
‘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. We believe it is in the interests of all Scottish clubs and supporters that the evidence, which is alarming, be addressed as quickly as possible.
‘The voting debacle and the evidence we possess raise serious questions concerning the corporate governance of the SPFL.’
Park hit out at what Rangers feel is an absence of ‘fair play’ in the process. He said: ‘The lack of leadership and responsibility from the SPFL as a members’ organisation has shocked me.
‘If ever there was a time for complete openness and transparency, it is now.
‘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 of this affair seems to me to bring the corporate governance and business operations of the SPFL into sharp focus. It is an example of an undemocratic culture, which has existed within the SPFL for far too long.
‘As a member club, we are disturbed by the evidence that has been presented and feel there is no choice but to call for an independent investigation into this entire matter.
‘Each member of the SPFL board has a duty to its members to ensure that such an investigation is instructed without delay.
‘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.’
The statement continued: ‘We call for the suspension of the SPFL’s chief executive, Neil Doncaster, and its legal adviser, Rod McKenzie, while an independent investigation is conducted.’
Rangers want to know if anyone from the SPFL, its board or any major clubs were in contact with Nelms around the time it emerged Dundee’s vote hadn’t arrived and, if so, what was discussed.
SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan countered: ‘It is extremely concerning that Rangers have chosen to make a number of very serious allegations against the SPFL, its corporate governance, its culture, its office-bearers and its business operations.
‘In the often-heated atmosphere of Scottish football, rumour and misinformation can very quickly reach fever-point.
‘However, allegations of a lack of even-handedness and fair play go to the very integrity of the league and I would expect Douglas Park to present compelling evidence to back up his claims, or to withdraw them.
‘I anticipate that the SPFL Board will convene early next week to discuss a wide variety of issues and I will be writing to Mr Park asking him to urgently communicate any and all information he possesses in order that the board can take whatever steps are necessary.’