Rangers’ signing ban stands as SFA throws out appeal

Rangers FC took another knock last night as a Scottish FA tribunal threw out the clubs appeal to have a 12-month signing ban overturned.

Paul Clark of Duff and Phelps, administrators of Rangers Football Club, issued the following statement:

“The decision by the appellate tribunal to uphold the sanction, namely the suspension of registration of players for one year, is not competent in the view of the club and its legal advisers.

“Such a sanction was not available to the tribunal and should not have been imposed and it is the intention of the club to challenge the determination.

“The club will consider seeking review of this most disappointing decision and it is a matter of regret that the certainty and finality Rangers sought on this matter has not been achieved.

“Everyone at Rangers is bitterly disappointed and dismayed at this outcome.”

Charles Green, who leads a consortium purchasing Rangers, said: “Our group went into the purchase of the club with this sanction in place but we hoped the decision would at least be commuted.

“We fully support the club as it considers an appeal against this latest decision.”

Sandy Jardine, spokesman for the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund, added: “Rangers supporters will be shocked and bitterly disappointed by this decision and will find it hard to take that the club has been so heavily punished for the actions of individuals.”