Scottish Premiership side Rangers will "have to ask UEFA for special dispensation to play in Europe next season" due to the club's failure to meet Financial Fair Play regulations, according to Ewing Grahame of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Club licensing rules state that losses over the most recent three-year period should not exceed £4.3M ($5.4M) -- and the club has lost £18.9M ($23.6M) since '14. UEFA does allow a deficit during that time frame to reach £25.9M ($32.4M) but only "if such excess is entirely covered by contributions from equity participants and/or related parties." Chair Dave King claimed at last week’s AGM that “securing European football is critical.” But, a Scottish FA source confirmed that Rangers "would need to prove to UEFA" that it can reduce its losses and continue "as a going concern" if it qualifies for Europe. Rangers’ latest accounts disclosed it had required £2.9M ($3.6M) in soft loans from directors since the end of the financial year and that "more will be needed to complete the current campaign." Further losses could be incurred, with Mike Ashley taking the club to court in London on Thursday and Friday, claiming £1M ($1.25M) "in damages for an alleged breach of contract with his Sports Direct outfit" (DAILY RECORD, 11/30).
