Rangers accuse SPFL of conducting 'deeply flawed' vote

Rangers have renewed their criticism of the Scottish Professional Football League at the end of an acrimonious process to bring an end to the 2019/20 season.

In a statement released on Thursday night, the Ibrox club said the league body had “conducted a process which has been misleading and deeply flawed”.

“In particular, publishing the outcome prior to all clubs having voted has undermined the democratic process and demonstrated unacceptable standards of corporate governance by the SPFL Executive,” the statement added.

Rangers say they are also concerned that member clubs were not provided with enough information or time to allow them to make fully informed decisions.

The SPFL announced on Wednesday its resolution on ending the season has passed with agreement by 81% of all members.

The league body made the announcement after Dundee submitted a ‘yes’ vote, reversing their initial position.

The resolution sees Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers crowned champions of their respective divisions and gives authority to the board to make a decision on the remainder of the Ladbrokes Premiership season.

But calling top-flight leagues in Europe needs to be approved by UEFA.

Rangers said on Thursday that “no fair-minded person can take the outcome of this vote seriously”.

The club’s statement said: “It is imperative that constructive engagement begins immediately with members to evaluate all options for completing the 2019/20 Premiership season, including on the field of play.

“The SPFL must allow every opportunity to do so. There is precedent within Scottish football that a league must not be compromised by changing the rules during the course of the competition,” the statement added.

Earlier on Thursday, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard branded the SPFL’s handling of the resolution vote an “absolute mess”.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Football Show, Gerrard reiterated his club’s call for an independent investigation into the handling of the vote; a stance that Rangers highlighted again in Thursday evening’s statement.

It said: “The SPFL appear to have acknowledged the need for an internal investigation – but only an independent investigation will provide satisfactory, credible answers.

“We repeat our call for the immediate suspension of Neil Doncaster and Rod McKenzie pending the outcome of the independent investigation.”

SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan has previously described Rangers’ claims as extremely concerning.

He said: “Allegations of a lack of even-handedness and fair play go to the very integrity of the league and I would expect Rangers interim chairman Douglas Park to present compelling evidence to back up his claims, or to withdraw them.”