Rangers hit with SFA disrepute charge

Rangers were plunged into fresh turmoil on Thursday after the financially stricken Glasgow giants were charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the Scottish Football Association. The SFA said in a statement an independent inquiry had ruled Rangers owner Craig Whyte was not a fit and proper person to hold a position within football, paving the way for the disrepute charge. The findings of the inquiry, led by senior Scottish judge William Nimmo Smith, were heard at a special SFA board meeting in Glasgow and will now be referred to a judicial panel. SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: "Principally, it is the belief of the Board, taking into account the prima facie evidence presented today (Thursday), that Mr Craig Whyte is not considered to be a Fit and Proper person to hold a position within Association Football. "We will be writing to Mr Whyte in relation to those findings and shall seek a response within seven days. "The report will now be used as evidence and forwarded to a judicial panel for consideration and determination as per the protocol. As such, the report's contents will not be published at this time. Administrators were called in on February 14 after British tax authorities went to court to seek payment of an unpaid bill of £9 million ($14m) built up since Whyte took charge at Ibrox in May. Rangers are also awaiting the verdict of a tax tribunal that could leave them with a bill of up to £75m, according to Whyte. Administration meant Scottish champions Rangers were docked 10 points -- a move that effectively handed this season's Scottish Premier League title to arch Glasgow rivals Celtic. And the financial uncertainty at Ibrox means Rangers have all but been ruled out of European football next season, because they will not be able to comply with UEFA regulations by the European governing body's March 31 deadline. Rangers exited the Scottish Cup after a home defeat by Dundee United last month -- and Regan said they still owed money to United from the tie, warning of fresh disciplinary action if the payment wasn't forthcoming. Another area of concern revolves around Rangers' possible non-disclosure of payments to players and their use of employee benefit trust. Regan "clarified" the SFA's position on the issue by saying: "Having noted the Scottish Premier League's intention to investigate this matter, the board has decided to allow the SPL to complete this process, given our potential status as the appellate body." Rangers' administrators said Wednesday they were looking to sell the club within "days" in a frantic bid to keep the 140-year-old football institution as a going concern. Administrators Duff and Phelps said they had hoped to persuade the first-team squad at Ibrox to accept a package of salary cuts but two days of talks broke up Wednesday without a deal. Administration is the process whereby a troubled company calls upon independent expert financial help in a bid to remain operational.