THE SFA have moved to clarify the outstanding issues relating to Rangers' application for membership as they look to draw a line under their battles with the Ibrox club and attmept to return some kind of focus on to football.
Three Ibrox board members – chairman Malcolm Murray and finance directors Imran Ahmed and Brian Stockbridge – met the SFA hierarchy at Hampden yesterday to answer questions on their application and discuss the outstanding sanctions hanging over the club – talks which will continue today. The SFA issued the following Q and A ahead of today's ongoing talks:When will SFA consider Rangers' application for membership? NOW that the SFL have made a conditional acceptance of Rangers FC in Division Three, we will now consider the club's application for mem-bership transfer this week.
How can Rangers be considered for membership when they cannot provide four years' financial statements?
Sevco Scotland Ltd bought Rangers Football Club PLC's share in the SPL and membership of the SFA as part of their acquisition of assets. Under Article 14.1, Sevco Scotland are requesting the transfer of the existing membership of oldco. This is different to an application for a new membership, which generally requires four years of financial statements.
When will the Appellate Tribunal be reconvened?
THE SFA has been in dialogue with Rangers in respect of the outstanding disciplinary sanction. The decision of the Court of Session to set aside the 12-month registration embargo was complicated by Rangers' administration and subsequent request from Sevco Scotland for a transfer of membership of the SFA.
Again, now that the club's status has been confirmed by the SPL and SFL, we will consider the award of transfer once Rangers satisfy the necessary criteria.
Will Rangers' original punishments be transferred to newco?
THE SFA Board has the power to transfer membership under Article 14.1, which states:
"Transfer of membership will be reviewed by the Board, which will have the complete discretion to reject or to grant such application on such terms and conditions as the Board may think fit."
Will Ally McCoist be subject to a Compliance Officer Reference for his comments about the Judicial Panel?
THE Compliance Officer communicated with Rangers in mid-June to confirm that the matter has been reported and will be initiated through the normal Judicial Panel Protocol upon conclusion of the other outstanding issues affecting the club.
In what round will Rangers newco join the Scottish Cup?
UNDER the SFA's Cup Competition Rules, Rangers, as a Third Division club, will join the Scottish Cup at the second round.
Why have the SFA blocked the transfer of Rangers' players to other clubs? THE SFA issued a guidance note, based on legal advice and without prejudice, to both Rangers and PFA Scotland. Certain players have now chosen not to transfer across under TUPE regulations and, instead, agreed contracts elsewhere.
On a procedural basis, the SFA cannot process an International Transfer Certificate via Fifa's Transfer Management System where there is an ongoing contractual dispute.
Rangers have confirmed that there is such a contractual dispute. In the meantime, the new club(s) can request a temporary transfer from Fifa in order that the player(s) is free to play while the dispute process unfolds. This process has commenced in relation to a number of the players in question.
At the request of one of the parties in dispute, the SFA, through its Articles, can convene an Arbitration Panel, with either side selecting from a list of Panel members, with the two appointees subsequently selecting a Chair of the panel.
Rangers have made such a request to the SFA. We would naturally seek an outcome as soon as possible.
Does the SFA have a fit and proper person report for the new Rangers owner(s) and do we know who the main investors/directors are?
THE SFA has received private and confidential documentation from Sevco Scotland Ltd relating to the above.
We have asked Sevco to provide further supple-mentary information and will consider that information this week.
Under new SFA rules, it is a requirement of the outgoing club directors to conduct a full investigation under the Fit and Proper Guidelines.
Given Rangers insolvency event, it has been incumbent on the administrators, Duff and Phelps, to carry out the necessary checks on the proposed new directors, as well as our own investigations.
What is the status of the investigation into use of Employee Benefit Trusts?
THIS is an investigation under the jurisdiction of the SPL specific to player registrations.
The SPL have recently confirmed they have prima facie evidence but as the potential appellate body, we cannot comment further at this stage.