Rangers owner under investigation

Rangers owner Craig Whyte eligibility to sit on the club’s board is being investigated by hte Scottish Football Association.

Whyte, a life-long Rangers fan, bought a controlling interest in the Scottish giants in May 2011 from long-time owner David Murray.

However, in a statement issued to PLUS Stock Exchange following the release of Rangers’ annual financial figures, it was revealed that “Craig Whyte was disqualified to act as a director of Vital UK Limited in 2000 for a period of seven years.”

This means Whyte is potentially in breach of section 10.2 (g) which states that individuals may not be appointed to a professional football club’s board if “he has been disqualified as a director pursuant to the Company Directors’ Disqualification Act 1986 within the previous five years”.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan, told BBC Scotland: “The SFA has noted the Rangers FC statement to the Stock Exchange regarding the club’s owner, Craig Whyte.”

“We have been in dialogue with the club on this matter and in light of developments have requested clarification by return. We await disclosure of key information before we can make any further comment.”

“The rules and regulations are laid out very clearly as to what is and what isn’t allowed as far as company directors are concerned.”

“Given that clubs are changing their directors, and that people are coming and going every day, it is impossible for the SFA to investigate every single person across every professional club in Scotland.”

“But, when anything happens to indicate that a breach of those articles has taken place, that is the point at which the association gets involved.”

It is believed 40-year-old Whyte could be suspended, fined or both should the accusation prove successful.

A Rangers spokesman produced the following statement last night: “At no stage did the club believe there had been a breach of SFA regulations.”

“The club will be happy to provide the SFA with all the relevant information and discuss the matter with them fully.”