Q&A: What next for Rangers as SPL clubs say no to Charles Green's newco

SPL football will not be played at Ibrox in the 2012/13 season as clubs confirm they will block the transfer of Rangers' share to Charles Green's newco.© STV

The decision of six SPL clubs to declare they will vote against the transfer of Rangers' SPL member share to Charles Green's Sevco 5088 company means the Ibrox club will not be represented in the top flight next season.

Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibernian, Inverness CT and St Johnstone in publicly stating they will vote no to the newco and, with an 8-4 majority vote required, the future of any club known as Rangers is again uncertain.

What will happen now to Rangers? We look at the reasons why they won't be participating in the SPL and whether they will play football at all in the 2012/13 season.

Why won't Rangers play in the SPL next season?

Charles Green's new company, which has purchased the assets of The Rangers Football Club plc, has requested that the Scottish Premier League transfers the member share of the old company to his newco.

Clubs are required to vote 8-4 in favour for this to happen. Five clubs - Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibernian and Inverness CT - have already stated they will vote against the motion, meaning Rangers will not be represented in Scottish football's top flight for the first time as of next season.

Will the vote still take place?

Yes. The SPL has advised the vote can not be brought forward and clubs will make their final decision, as expected, on Wednesday, July 4.

Who will take Rangers' place in the SPL?

This matter is ambiguous as the current SPL rules only provide for such an eventuality to be dealt with if it occurs mid-season.

Rule H5 states that if a club ceases to exist, the number of relegation places will be adjusted accordingly. That would mean an 11-team SPL in 2012/13 and, crucially, no vacancy in the Scottish Football League (SFL).

Assuming the preference of clubs would be to play with 12 teams next campaign, the SPL will be left to decide whether to admit a new team in Rangers' place. Both Dundee, who finished second in last year's First Division, and Dunfermline, relegated from the league at the end of 2011/12, are likely candidates.

Will Rangers play football at all next season?

Assuming the vote does go against Green's new company, he will be left to seek an alternative league for his proposed club to play in.

For Green to field a team which is known as Rangers, permission is still required from the Scottish FA to inherit the club's membership. An application has been made but detailed information is required, such as proof he is a fit and proper person and financial documents, for it to be considered.

The governing body's board will make the final decision over whether that move will go ahead.

With a route into the SPL now unavailable to the newco, Green will have to apply to the SFL in the hope of being admitted into their three division setup.

How would Charles Green's company gain entry into the Scottish Football League?

For Green's company to participate in the SFL, they will be required to apply to the league for the vacant spot which is likely to open up within the league setup in Division Three.

Green's company, whether it is a continuation of Rangers through inheriting their Scottish FA membership or a completely new club, would have to submit an application to join the SFL and would likely face competition from other teams currently outside of the league setup.

The current member clubs of the SFL would vote on which club to admit into the league. A simple majority is required in the final round of voting.

Would they have to start in the Third Division?

Using the precedent which saw clubs such as Elgin City, Peterhead, Gretna and Annan Athletic enter the SFL in recent times, Green's club would be expected to start life in the bottom tier.

Talks have taken place between the SFL, SPL and Scottish FA in recent weeks with a view to league reconstruction, leading to a merger between the SPL and SFL and having one, unified league setup.

Although it is mere speculation at present, it has been reported any newco Rangers could start life in the new First Division, one tier below the top flight, as part of the proposals. No official comment has been made on that eventuality and a number of clubs in the SFL have publicly stated their objections to any such move.

Could Charles Green buy another SFL club and rebrand it as Rangers?

The SFL's rules do not forbid a current member club being bought over and having their name, location and colours changed. Green could do as Airdrie United did with Clydebank after they were refused entry to the Third Division following the demise of Airdrieonians in 2002.

SFL rule 86.2 states: “Any club wishing to make any alteration to the designated name of the club or ground must first obtain the prior written consent of the board.”

A stumbling block lies in the rule that states a club must submit its colours and kit designs before June 1 this year, although an application could be put forward for an exception to be made.

The main problem Green would have in performing such an act would be convincing the shareholders of any current SFL club to sell up and allow their club to die to allow Rangers to participate.

Can the newco play in Europe?

Any club wishing to apply for a UEFA club licence and play in Europe must have been a member of a national association for three consecutive seasons.

Any newco would be considered as a new entity and, therefore, would have to wait three full seasons before being eligible to play in the Champions League or Europa League.

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