RANGERS insist they “will not be bullied into silence” after the SPFL rubbished the 200-page dossier they compiled against league bosses.
A league statement said that a cursory read of the whopping document had shown not a “shred of evidence” to justify the claims of coercion and bullying they had made against SPFL bosses.
Rangers interim chairman Douglas ParkCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow
But a social media post released by the Ibrox side this afternoon referred followers back to an earlier statement issued back on April 11.
This was not long after an alternative members’ resolution proposed by the Ibrox side to give clubs interest free loans to be set against final league placings was deemed not to be effective by the league board.
The Rangers statement re-iterated claims about the processes undertaken by the league and concluded with interim Ibrox chairman Douglas Park calling for the suspension of chief executive Neil Doncaster and legal advisor Rod McKenzie.
The long-awaited publication this morning at 10am included with it a Rangers legal opinion that Doncaster “breached his duties in law as a director” and claims there is a “reasonable good prospect” of a court removing him as chief executive.
Mr Park said: “The lack of leadership and responsibility from the SPFL as a members’ organisation has shocked me.
“If ever there was a time for complete openness and transparency, it is now.
“Crucial decisions are being made on the issues of promotion and relegation behind closed doors and without proper time for consideration or debate.
“The farcical conduct of this affair seems to me to bring the corporate governance and business operations of the SPFL into sharp focus. It is an example of an undemocratic culture, which has existed within the SPFL for far too long.
SPFL chief Neil Doncaster arrives at Hampden Park
The statement read: “We have been presented with evidence via a whistleblower that raises serious concerns surrounding the SPFL’s processes relating to its stewardship of the voting on the resolution presented to member clubs.
“Rangers’ Interim Chairman, Douglas Park, attempted to discuss this evidence with SPFL chief executive, Neil Doncaster, who initially refused to do so. The SPFL followed up that call with an e-mail, which we believe was a thinly disguised attempt to silence legitimate concerns.
“Rangers will not be bullied into silence. We believe it is in the interests of all Scottish clubs and supporters that the evidence, which is alarming, be addressed as quickly as possible.
“The voting debacle and the evidence we possess raise serious questions concerning the corporate governance of the SPFL.
“As a member club, we are disturbed by the evidence that has been presented and feel there is no choice but to call for an independent investigation into this entire matter. Each member of the SPFL board has a duty to its members to ensure that such an investigation is instructed without delay.
“All we ask for is equality and respect. In the past few days, we have become alarmed at a seeming lack of even-handedness and fair play from the SPFL. This is surely unacceptable and, if substantiated, must be remedied.
“Other member clubs, who have seen the evidence we hold, share our concerns.
“We call for the suspension of the SPFL’s Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster and its legal adviser, Rod McKenzie while an independent investigation is conducted.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk