Rangers need 32 clubs to back their call for an independent investigation; Inverness say they will testify that they were 'bullied' by an SPFL board member during the voting process; Partick Thistle will vote for independent investigation
Monday 11 May 2020 12:50, UK
Interim Rangers chairman Douglas Park says the club are willing to pay for an independent investigation into the recent SPFL vote to end the lower league seasons, which could give the board authority to do likewise with the Premiership campaign.
The club had called for SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and legal adviser Rod McKenzie to be suspended after claiming they had received "alarming" evidence from a whistleblower and further alleging clubs were "bullied" into voting for the SPFL.
The SPFL rejected the claims last week, calling them "baseless, damaging and self-serving attacks". It says Rangers' dossier - which was sent to member clubs on Thursday - does not contain a "single shred of evidence" and dismissed the accusations made against Doncaster and McKenzie, saying "if Rangers have any good reason for (them) to be suspended, we have yet to see it".
Rangers need 32 clubs to back their call for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the vote and have offered to cover the costs of any such investigation.
The SPFL had previously warned about the financial implications for all Premiership clubs of undertaking such an investigation and the issue will be discussed at an EGM on Tuesday.
When asked if Rangers would be willing to cover the costs of the investigation, Park said: "Cost should never be a barrier to proper governance. If our resolution is passed on Tuesday we will be willing to fund the costs of an Independent Investigation covering the scope outlined in our resolution."
Park also said he had been encouraged by clubs who have contacted Rangers to offer their support, following the submission of their dossier.
"There's an apparent culture of fear, as we can see from the number of clubs that privately seem to have an issue with some of the things we have raised and those prepared to speak publicly," he said.
"I understand that, look at the way we have been treated."
Scottish Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle have come forward to say they are prepared to testify in an independent investigation that they were bullied by an SPFL board member during the voting process.
They said in a statement: "Please know that we will testify to the bullying and threats made against our club on Friday 10th by an SPFL Board member.
"And the threats against others by the same SPFL Board member and how these threats were "reported back to the centre" and to the SPFL CEO directly on the day with evidence at any genuine independent investigation with the proper and appropriate scope, should there be one, or at any further subsequent action thereafter.
"These were threats and not robust conversations."
Partick Thistle confirmed on Monday that they will vote 'yes' for an independent investigation ahead of the SPFL EGM.
Thistle have been relegated from the Scottish Championship to League One after the lower league seasons were called off.
The Firhill club's chief executive Gerry Britton said: "The vote for an independent investigation isn't a case of picking sides. Nor is it a failure to admit that an investigation is needed. It is a way for Scottish football to find a way out of the situation it has found itself in since April 8.
"Unless something is done urgently to deal with the obvious breakdown in trust between parties, football in this country may never fully recover.
"That's why we will vote "yes" to an independent investigation. To do nothing risks leaving our game fatally wounded. For the avoidance of doubt, this decision was taken last week before events unfolded around reconstruction."
