SPL Hearts have become the league's first football club to "openly admit they will vote no to allowing a newco Rangers into the SPL," according to the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Club Chair Vladimir Romanov issued "a strongly worded statement [Thursday] revealing they will vote against any plans" to allow the Ibrox club into the Scottish top-flight. Romanov said, "The football mafia represented by former owners of Rangers FC and Rupert Murdoch's media are to blame for some of the worst problems to hit Scottish football and must not be allowed back in under any circumstances" (DAILY RECORD, 6/21). Meanwhile, the SCOTSMAN reported that Romanov "put forward his ideas" on SPL broadcast revenue. Romanov said, "I feel that it is absolutely realistic to create a company that would bring to Scottish clubs at least the same broadcasting income, and even grow it by 50-100% over the next two to three years. This company should be in the hands of Scottish clubs" (SCOTSMAN, 6/21). Also in Glasgow, Richard Wilson reported that some Rangers players are considering not returning to the club for pre-season training because "they believe it may undermine their position if they wish to object formally to their contract having been transferred" to the newco Rangers. If the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment procedures have not been followed, the players "could take legal action" against the newco Rangers for 13 weeks' wages. That could total £5M ($7.9) in total if "all players decided to act" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 6/21).
RUMOR BURIED: In London, Lisa Gray reported that League One's Bury have "poured cold water" on suggestions they could be bought by the Rangers as "part of a plan for the Glasgow giants to ply their trade in England." Numerous reports claimed Green's consortium have "looked into the possibility" of acquiring Bury. A Bury BOD statement said, "Whilst investment into Bury Football Club is always welcome, any offer of investment will only be viewed at taking the club forward in its only one guise possible -- based in the town of Bury, and as Bury Football Club" (INDEPENDENT, 6/21).
