THE Scottish FA have today issued notices of complaint against Rangers and Mike Ashley regarding the businessman’s involvement at Ibrox.

If found guilty, Rangers could face a range of punishments that include a censure, fine, being thrown out of the the Scottish Cup, a transfer ban or even having their membership of the SFA terminated.

Ashley, meanwhile, risks a £10,000 fine if he fails to have the charges dropped.

Ashley effectively grabbed control of the Light Blues boardroom earlier this year when he clinched a £2million loan deal with the Gers hierarchy.

Chief executive Graham Wallace and finance director Philip Nash left the board before Derek Llambias, Ashley’s former right-hand man at Newcastle United, and Barry Leach of Sports Direct, arrived at the club.

Ashley, who holds a 9% stake in Rangers International Football Club plc, has failed to clarify his role at Rangers.

The SFA wrote to the businessman and Rangers in October seeking answers and he has now been accused of holding undue influence at the club.

Ashley is also being charged with failing to behave towards the Scottish FA and its members with "the utmost good faith" and has been called, along with Rangers, to attend a hearing on January 27.

The Light Blues have been charged with breaching disciplinary rule 1, which states that “All members shall:
(b) be subject to and comply with (i) the Articles (ii) this protocol.
(f) behave towards the Scottish FA and other members with the utmost good faith.”

They have also been charged with breaching rule 77 that states that “A recognised football body, club, official, Team Official, other member of Team Staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall, at all times, act in the best interests of Association Football.”

Both parties have also been accused of contravening rule 19: “Except with the prior written consent of the Board: (a) no club or nominee of a club; and (b) no person, whether absolutely or as a trustee, either alone or in conjunction with one or more associates or solely through an associate or associates (even where such person has no formal interest), who: (i) is a member of a club; or (ii) is involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a club, or (iii) has any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration or a club, may at the same time either directly or indirectly:- (a) be a member of another club; or (b) be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of another club; or (c) have any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of another club.”