Scottish FA urged to act in row over ex-Rangers players’ contracts

Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith turned down the transfer of their contracts to a newco Rangers.SNS Group

The lawyer representing former Rangers players has appealed to the Scottish Football Association to act quickly to allow them to play elsewhere.

Players including Steven Naismith, Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty, who turned down the transfer of their contracts to a newco Rangers, have yet to receive international clearance to play for their new clubs.

This is because the governing body has been unable to process the applications due to an objection from those in charge at Ibrox.

Charles Green argues that the players were in breach of contract when they joined other clubs, a point of view not shared by PFA Scotland. FIFA are now dealing with the matter, writing to the SFA to request more information.

Now Margaret Gribbon, who represents seven of the players, hopes the association can move the process along.

She told Press Association Sport: "Following the refusal of the SFA to issue players registrations, the new clubs have all referred the matter to FIFA.

"FIFA have now written to the SFA in each case requesting reasons why the players' registrations were blocked.

"It remains entirely unclear the facts and matters upon which Rangers oldco and Rangers newco rely in order to support their position that the players acted in breach of contract.

"Presumably they have made their reasons known to the SFA and if so, these have not been shared with my law firm, Bridge Litigation, who represent the majority of the players.

"FIFA have given the SFA seven days to respond but it is hoped that given the straightforward nature of the request the SFA will be in a position to reply sooner.

"We remain confident that FIFA will grant ITC (International Transfer Clearance) enabling the players to continue playing football with their new clubs."

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