Atletico agree deal to sign Lemar
Tony Mcglennan’s decision to resign as the Scottish FA’S compliance officer is unconnected with ongoing disciplinary proceedings against Rangers, according to senior sources within the organisation.
The Glasgow-based former solicitor advocate, who joined the Scottish FA in 2014, will leave Hampden within the next two months after accepting a new job with an as yet unnamed private law firm.
The announcement of his departure was inevitably linked in some quarters to the recent notice of complaint and two charges he issued against Rangers following an eightmonth investigation into the decision to award them a licence to play in Europe in 2011.
The Ibrox club have declared their contention to “fiercely contest” the charges at an initial hearing scheduled for 26 June.
Rangers also questioned the role of former Scottish FA independent director Gary Hughes in the investigation, having previously sought his resignation for comments in a magazine article from 12 years ago where he described Ibrox supporters as “the great unwashed”. Hughes subsequently decided not to stand for re-election at the Scottish FA’S annual general meeting last week.
New Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell has dismissed calls from Rangers chairman Dave King for a review of Hughes’ involvement, insisting there was “no need” as any notice of complaint was solely prosecuted by the compliance officer once an issue was referred to him.
Following confirmation of Mcglennan’s imminent exit from the post yesterday, Scottish FA sources dismissed any notion the current Rangers case played a part in his decision. They have been since 1998, Mcglennan was recruited as a replacement for Vincent Lunny who stood down in 2014 to become an advocate.
Scottish FA board member Mike Mulraney, the Alloa Athletic chairman, praised Mcglennan’s contribution and believes the compliance officer vacancy will prove highly attractive when it is advertised.
“We’ve known that Tony’s potentially been going to leave for a while now,” Mulraney told STV. “Tony’s done a great job. It’s a difficult job and he’s done it very, very well and I wish him all the best in the future.
“When you come to work for the SFA, it’s a great job. It’s a great team to join, a fresh new team that’s being developed at the SFA.
“Whoever comes in, he or she will be joining that fresh new team and I think it’s a great opportunity for someone to develop their career.” Atletico Madrid have struck a deal to sign France international Thomas Lemar from Monaco.
Atletico said they have a “preliminary agreement” with Monaco and “both clubs will work” to complete the transfer. l Celtic have praised their fans for a “magnificent show of commitment” after the club announced it had sold out its season ticket allocation for the 2018-19 campaign. Supporters have snapped up all 52,500 briefs. l Aston Villa have con-
0 Thomas Lemar: Spain bound firmed the departure of chief executive Keith Wyness and said they will defend themselves against any legal proceedings brought against them.
The former Aberdeen and Everton CEO left the club after being suspended last week and is planning to sue for constructive dismissal, which could cost Villa over £6 million. l Defender Jason Naismith has left relegated Ross County to sign for English League 1 side Peterborough United on a three-year deal. Hibernian Girls and Ladies coach Dean Gibson has been issued with a notice of complaint by the Scottish FA for allegedly breaching the governing body’s disciplinary rule 31, which forbids betting on football.
The regulation states that “no club, official, team official or other member of team staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall gamble in any way on a football match.”
Gibson has until Friday to respond to the charge and faces a hearing on 5 July.