Rangers hit out at Scottish football chiefs after Hearts avoid a fine for going into administration

Hugh Keevins

2 Aug 2013 08:01

THE Gers say it's not fair after they were charged by the SFA for going bust

RANGERS last night hit out after Hearts dodged a financial penalty for going into administration.

The Ibrox club were fined £50,000 by the SFA last year after financial disaster struck under Craig Whyte.

But yesterday an SFA Judicial Panel only imposed a transfer embargo until the end of January on the Jambos in the wake of the club's insolvency event.

Dunfermline also recently escaped without being hit with a monetary penalty after the club was forced to enter administration.

The different treatment meted out to the three clubs has infuriated Rangers fans and Ibrox chief executive Craig Mather is now calling on the SFA to explain the anomalies.

An Ibrox statement said: "Rangers are aware of the glaring differences in the sanctions imposed on three clubs who entered administration.

"Our club, Rangers, was hit with a £50,000 fine and given a 12-month registration embargo.

"While no one at this club wishes to see others fall on hard times, questions must be asked about these anomalies and we fully understand the rising anger among our fans.

"They are entitled to think there is one rule for our club and another for everyone else. We will be seeking clarification for our fans."

Meanwhile, Hearts administrator Trevor Birch acknowledged the transfer embargo was bad news for Tynecastle boss Gary Locke.

Birch, who attended the two-hour judicial hearing at Hampden yesterday, said: "It isn't going to help the fight to avoid relegation that we can't sign players unless they're under the age of 21.

"We would have been looking to refresh the squad in January and now we can't.

"We got a fair hearing from the tribunal but the final outcome has to be described as a disappointment.

"The Hearts fans will be disappointed but at least we didn't have to find money from somewhere to pay a fine.

"I know Rangers were fined but the tribunal has judged our case on its own merits. It's a big relief for us not to be fined.

"We've been surviving on cash raised by our supporters so it would have been the fans who would have been punished if there was a financial punishment.

"Now we have to get on with our negotiations concerning the sale of the club.

"Talks with the administrators in Lithuania are ongoing and could be for some time."

Taken from the Daily Record