SFA will not appeal Court of Session verdict against Rangers sanctions

Rangers: SFA said it was 'regrettable' that the Ibrox club went to court.

The SFA has said it will not appeal against the Court of Session's verdict in the Rangers case because it would damage the principle of sporting associations conducting their own disciplinary matters.

The Ibrox club won their case to have a registration embargo imposed for bringing the game into disrepute overturned on the grounds that it was was unlawful.

The SFA said it had chosen not to exercise its right to appeal the verdict, adding it was "regrettable" that Rangers had sought recourse to the courts.

The statement said: "Football must always operate within the law of the land. Nonetheless, it is regrettable that a member club has sought recourse for a football disciplinary matter through increasingly costly civil court action.

"The right of appeal is now open to the Scottish FA through the Court of Session. However, by so doing, the very principles on which the Scottish FA - and, for that matter, UEFA and FIFA – are founded, namely football disciplinary matters being dealt with within its own jurisdiction, would be fundamentally compromised.

"Therefore, it is our intention to accede to Lord Glennie’s request and refer the matter back to the Appellate Tribunal, which will consider the remaining sanctions open to it. Details of a new hearing date will be confirmed in early course."

FIFA rules state that clubs should not challenge sporting sanctions in court and there are fears that the world governing body may now take collective action against Scottish football.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron said Rangers ought to have taken their case to the Court for Arbitration in Sport, adding: "The potential repercussions are something we certainly don't need at what is already a difficult time for Scottish football."

The SFA had argued that the Court of Session had no jurisdiction in its disciplinary affairs, but that argument was rejected by Lord Glennie, who said the court was competent to deal with the dispute.

The governing body must now decide whether to impose one or more of the sanctions for disrepute specified in article 94.1, which are a fine, suspension, expulsion from the SFA or ejection from the Scottish Cup.

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Comments

There are 20 comments

If there is not a stricter punishment other than a small fine and Scottish Cup ban then me and Scottish football is over. No more could I support a corrupt organisation that allows a corrupt club to virtually escape with the minimum of punishments.

Paulomagnifico 31/05/2012 Report this place

If people within the organization think that business will go on as per normal then that is a pipe dream.With information on the EBT's now collected and further punishment on the horizon McCoist and others won't be worried about trades and new players.This club could be suspended for a season and demoted to a lower division,Aly and the others must know that the SPL,SFA, and now FIFA want Rangers punished severely so expect past trophies taken back as well suspension and demotion.The past stewardship was criminal for tax evasion,the same thing Al Capone was jailed for and they could have also been charged and jailed.I support the club but over the summer won't be shocked or angry when the hammer comes down and maybe Mr Green and his group will survive and if they do they deserve a bloody medal.

The Ref 01/06/2012 Report this place

Why dont you stop talking on an empty head what option did Rangers have but too take the SFA to the Court of Session the punishment is ridiculous

IBROXEAGLE 01/06/2012 Report this place

Are you thick or what? You take it to the Court for Arbitration in Sport, like every other club in Scotland has to do.

Declan Murphy 01/06/2012 Report this place

When people break the enacted laws of the land it is up to the courts of the land to deal with these legal breaches!