Football chiefs produced "a secret plan" to strip Rangers FC of five SPL titles and four Scottish Cups, according to Keith McLeod of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. The "bombshell document," was drafted after talks involving the SPL, Scottish Football Association, Scottish Football League and representatives of Rangers CEO Charles Green’s newco Rangers. If enforced, the penalties listed "would be the harshest ever seen in football." They include stripping the club of five league titles; wiping out the Rangers' four Scottish Cup titles; forcing the Rangers to accept the one-year transfer embargo imposed by the SFA and overturned by the court of session; ordering Green's newco to pay Rangers' old football debts to clubs in Scotland and Europe. SFL chairmen voted overwhelmingly last Friday to place Rangers in Division Three, but that "does not mean the punishments in the secret plan will never be imposed" (DAILY RECORD, 7/18).
NEW INVESTOR: The SCOTSMAN reported that Nottingham-based businessman Craig Mather has "confirmed his investment" in the newco Rangers. Green revealed Tuesday that Mather has invested more than £1M ($1.5M) for a share of about 10%. Mather is the Managing Dir of Simply Sport Management and runs a manufacturing business. He said, “In addition to the financial investment, my sports management business, Simply Sport Management, specialises in youth players. I am confident that my colleagues and contacts within this field will prove invaluable" (SCOTSMAN, 7/18).
