Rangers ‘would’ve had protection in England’

RANGERS would have had better protection if the club had been part of the English game, a Labour MP claims.

Glasgow MP John Robertson highlighted a highly critical report into football governance published today by the House of Commons Culture committee.

It came after they heard evidence from Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.

The report notes he told MPs “the Scottish system did not have the same ‘rigour of rules’ as the FA and the situation with Rangers could not happen now in the English game”.

Mr Robertson, who chairs the Westminster Rangers Supporters’ Club, said: “In light of the HMRC case, in which Rangers was found not guilty, and which HMRC is currently in the process of appealing, it seems even more important to protect our clubs through rigorous rules. “Clubs should be innocent until absolutely proven guilty,” he added.

However, the report also concluded the Football Association – English football’s governing body – was in need of urgent reform.

MPs said they were issuing an ultimatum to English football to change within a year or face possible legislation.

They said the Premier League had too great an influence over decision making at the FA and too many clubs were taking significant financial risks.

The report is the second by MPs into the state of football governance.