SFA passes Paul Murray as ‘fit and proper’ to be a Rangers director

PAUL MURRAY has been passed as “fit and proper” by the SFA to serve as a director of Rangers, writes Stephen Halliday.

A former director of the Ibrox club in the period preceding their financial collapse in 2012, Murray has been interim chairman of Rangers since the general meeting of shareholders in March which ousted the previous boardroom regime.

A meeting of the SFA’S Professional Game Board at Hampden on Thursday considered Murray’s suitability to fulfil his role which has now been approved by the governing body.

No decision has yet been announced, however, on whether Dave King will be allowed to take up a formal role on the Rangers board. The South Africa-based businessman, who led the campaign for regime change at the club, must satisfy the SFA than his criminal convictions for tax offences in his adopted homeland are no barrier to his “fit and proper” status.

“The Scottish FA can confirm that at a meeting of the Professional Game Board (PGB) on Thursday, 30th April, consideration was given to the Fit and Proper status of Mr Paul Murray as a director of Rangers Football Club in respect of Article 10.2 of the Articles of Association,” read an SFA statement today.

“This followed a submission from the club of an Amendment Form to its Official Return. Specifically, Mr Murray was invited to provide information in relation to his involvement as “a director of a club in membership of any National Association within the 5-year period preceding such club having undergone an insolvency event”.

“The PGB examined Mr Murray’s involvement as a director of Rangers FC in the five years preceding the insolvency event experienced in 2012. Particular focus was given to Mr Murray’s role and function as director, any financial benefit or otherwise from the insolvency event, steps taken to avoid the insolvency event, co-operation throughout the insolvency event and intentions as a director to avoid a repetition of the mistakes of the past.

“Having considered the documentation provided, and taking into account Mr Murray’s detailed personal submission before it, the PGB is satisfied that Mr Murray is Fit and Proper in terms of Article 10.2.”