Scottish Third Division side Rangers will "conduct an independent investigation into the takeover and management of the club" by CEO Charles Green and Commercial Dir Imran Ahmad, according to Tom English of the SCOTSMAN. After an Ibrox board meeting at Murray Park Saturday, it was announced that Rangers "would set up a commission to examine the recent allegations linking former owner, the disgraced Craig Whyte, to Green." Rangers said in a statement, "The decision to commission the examination was taken unanimously by those in attendance at today’s meeting." Exec and non-exec directors "were present at the meeting." There is "no indication of who might sit on the commission or when it will sit." Green will also "play no part in it." In recent weeks and months, a drip feed of recorded telephone conversations and leaked documents from Whyte to the media "has cast considerable doubt over Green’s claim that Whyte played no part in his purchasing of the club" (SCOTSMAN, 4/14). In Glasgow, Alexander & Silvester reported Green's job as Rangers CEO "remained in the balance." Green was "questioned for more than three hours at an emergency meeting" (DAILY RECORD, 4/14).
CASTING DOUBT: In London, Walker & Campbell reported Rangers Manager Ally McCoist "welcomed the decision." McCoist: "Having said for many weeks I hoped for clarity and honesty, I’m obviously delighted. The board have said they are appointing an independent commission to look into matters, which is the least our fans deserve." Green's "growing isolation at Ibrox was perhaps emphasized" by Rangers statement saying that he will face the Scottish FA charges "without the club’s support." The statement added, "Mr. Green will deal with the pending SFA charge on this matter on a personal basis." Green has denied agreeing to act as a front for Whyte before he took charge at Ibrox, insisting that "he only told Whyte what he wanted to hear so he could get his shares" (SUNDAY TIMES, 4/14).
