The Rangers saga took another dramatic twist when Raith Rovers stated their opposition to admitting an Ibrox newco into the First Division.
On Monday, Rangers chief executive Charles Green’s hopes of the club being allowed into the SPL for this season were all but dashed when St Johnstone and Aberdeen joined Dundee United, Inverness Caley Thistle, Hearts and Hibs in announcing they will say no to a newco at a meeting of all the top-tier clubs on July 4.
The Glasgow side need an 8-4 majority to be voted into the SPL and with that avenue to all intents and purposes now closed, Rangers were expected to apply to the Scottish Football League to be admitted to the First Division.
Raith have now joined Falkirk in voicing their opposition to that proposal, however.
In a statement, the Kirkcaldy club said: ”Raith Rovers FC continues to closely monitor developments in the saga of who will replace the liquidated Rangers within Scottish football.
”As proud members of the Scottish Football League, we may soon be called upon to consider proposals for the way forward not only in relation to any vacancy that may arise in our league but also in respect of the future construction of the game in Scotland.”‘Totally unacceptable’The statement added: ”While we retain an open mind on the subject of league reconstruction, and will carefully consider any proposal put to us by the SFL board in this regard, the board of directors of Raith Rovers FC is unanimous in its view that we shall certainly not cast our vote in favour of any integrated plan that in our view compromises sporting integrity by involving the admission of any newco directly into Division One.”
Last weekend Falkirk chairman Martin Ritchie said: ”It would be totally unacceptable if a Rangers newco were admitted to the First Division on the current rules.
”Even a weakened Rangers newco would have resources that far outstripped all other First Division clubs and this would pretty much guarantee them promotion before the season even starts.”
Meanwhile, Alan Russell, the chairman of the Raith Supporters Trust, backed the club’s stance over the newco.
He said: ”We are delighted that the board of Raith Rovers have rejected outright the possibility of a Rangers newco in the First Division.
”Football is built on sporting integrity and a level playing field for all so no club should be given special treatment or a free pass up the divisions.”
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