The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gers could start season with 25-point deduction
RANGERS WILL start 2014-15 in the Championship with a 25-point deduction if the season-ticket boycott by supporters is successful and the club is forced into administration any time after Saturday’s game against Dunfermline at East End Park.
SPFL sources last night confirmed their season officially ends following their final league fixture — and not once the play-offs have been completed on May 25.
Rangers’ auditors, Deloitte, conf irmed in March that season-ticket money is crucial to the club’s future as a going concern.
Former director Dave King and nine-in-a-row skipper Richard Gough have urged supporters to starve the current board of revenue by not buying season tickets and instead pay their money into a trust operated by them, releasing it on a game-to-game basis.
Ibrox chief executive Graham Wallace revealed season books must be paid for in cash because FirstData, the payment processing company, will not accept credit card payments.
Due to its previous financial problems, the club does not have a credit facility with a bank and last week director Sandy Easdale claimed the League One champions would not survive a second administration.
Ally McCoist’s side is 39 points clear of second-placed Dunfermline and would still be promoted even if they went bust before the weekend.
However, if they suffer another insolvency after that then it would seriously damage their hopes of winning promotion next season — a goal crucial to their financial plans.
“To all intents and purposes, once a club has completed its fixtures, then their season has ended,” said a Hampden source.
New rules state that clubs sliding into administration trigger an automatic 15-point deduction, rising to 25 points if it happens again within five years.
The SPFL have also confirmed they would consider a repeat of the administration which befell Craig Whyte’s Rangers as a second offence.
However, the SFA will issue a licence to Rangers for next season in spite of the uncertainty over the cash-strapped club. The licence will be granted because Rangers have no bank debt,” said a spokesman. “We are unable to withhold that licence on the basis of what might happen to individual members.”
Hearts will be given until the eve of their opening Championship game on August 9 to exit administration and avoid starting another season with a 15-point penalty.
“They can still be in administration for their opening League Cup and Ramsdens Cup ties but, as long as they complete their CVA before their first league game, they will escape that punishment,” said the SPFL insider.