Fresh twist in Rangers saga

The Scottish Football Association have referred Rangers' disrepute charge back to their internal appeals process after deciding challenging the Court of Session decision to quash a transfer embargo would go against their principles.

Lord Glennie ruled an SFA judicial panel and appeal tribunal had acted outside their powers by handing a 12-month transfer ban to Rangers and proposed the matter be considered again by the second SFA tribunal.

The SFA were disappointed with the club's decision to take the matter to court and, although they were given 21 days to appeal against the decision, they will follow the judge's suggestion.

An SFA statement read: "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."

The SFA have not launched any additional action against Rangers over their decision to take the matter to court. They stated they were bound by the supervisory jurisdiction of the court under Scots law, like all other decision-making bodies in the country.

The statement added: "With our Annual General Meeting taking place on Wednesday, June 6, it will be appropriate to remind member clubs that by very dint of their membership of the Scottish FA, they accept and abide by the Articles of Association."