Good ESPN Article

[nvager 498]

Rangers shouldn't pay vindictive SPL's bill

Posted by John Gow

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After it was revealed the Scottish Premier League are asking Rangers to pay around 500,000 pounds in costs for the SPL enquiry into the club's contracts, which resulted in a a conclusion of "no sporting misdemeanors", the Ibrox side released a statement which said:

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe SPL continues to test the Rangers and their support, who have shown no signs of backing down.

"This matter has been dragged out long enough and we had thought Lord Nimmo Smith's verdict would have been an end to it. Attempting to stretch it out even further does nothing to help the image of a game torn by dissension and engulfed in turmoil.

It is important to remember that Lord Nimmo Smith apportioned no blame against Rangers FC and thus no sanctions were imposed on this Club. It is inconceivable, therefore, as well as ridiculous that the SPL should even think about pursuing this Club for costs against what was widely regarded as an ill-conceived and unwise course of action by them in the first place."

This is a short reply, but it could have been even shorter if the Gers had been less professional. They still believe when they were at their lowest ebb and needed a hand of friendship, the SPL offered nothing but a push over the cliff.

And after the ridiculous enquiry into Rangers contracts when Lord William Nimmo Smith showed there was no question, either directly or indirectly, of any sporting advantage in the way the club paid its players, everyone thought it was over.

But as the above statement points out, the SPL won't let it go, and now wish for Rangers to pay half-a-million pounds for an investigation that only the SPL wanted. And this is when the club was cleared of cheating by the investigation!

It shows how harshly they would have been treated if Lord Nimmo Smith had inferred that the club had gained any sporting advantage -- even in the smallest degree.

It's a genuinely terrifying thought for the support to imagine the feeding frenzy and how badly the club would be damaged and humiliated.

But sanity prevailed with the decision by Lord Nimmo Smith and the fans needn't worry as there is no chance of Rangers paying a penny toward the costs of the SPL's investigation.

If the SPL want the money, they will have to go to court to get it. The Gers have a good track record in the legal and semi-legal arena when it comes to defending what they believe is correct, and this would be another one they would be confident of winning.

If anything, Rangers would relish the chance to explain their case, and this is why it is unlikely the SPL would risk it.

Rangers are no longer the helpless organisation they were in the summer of 2012. They are not as strong as they have been, nor are they as powerful within the game as they will become again, but they are no pushovers.

The game has changed once again, and to use an apt phrase, the ball is now in the SPL's court.

[Christchurch Rangers 1,229]

SPL can go to hell!

[gogzy 31,195]

Good article,I think I have read his work before, always seemed reasonably balanced in his writings.

[TMB 14,167]

The SPL can go fuck itself:

[pcbear 10,924]

Good article,I think I have read his work before, always seemed reasonably balanced in his writings.

He is bang on the money most weeks, we have a few outstanding bloggers who hit the mark.

[Hamie 4,852]

The SPL can go fuck itself:

After watching for 2 minutes I felt compelled to watch the rest,

in the slight chance it changed. But alas no.

10 minutes of 'go fuck yourself'

[No.12 508]

The SPL can go fuck itself:

[Bad Robot 21,512]

Listening to the radio the other day there gave me the impression that the SPL have written to LNS requested that he seek payment from us (oldco?) rather than the SPL.

Is that the case as I find it unbelievable that they hire someone then after the work they tell the person they need to seek payment from someone.

As someone said on the other thread it's probably to balance the books and the costs will come from the funds held back from the oldco.

[Blue and True 311]

Well as they have our prize money from last season

Our UEFA money in regards to players international appearances not to mention the transfer fees they collected that should have been our.

Have I missed anything?

At what point do we stop being a cash cow for these people?

Now would be the answer.

[kingtom80 166]

give them damm all and right up them. :7325:

[elephants stoned 2,994]

Good blog and i think Rangers will be in full agreement that the sphell are not getting a penny from us its a huge waste of time and no doubt to try and blame us again for the woes of the cabal.

[Dutchy 1,200]

It reminds me of when someone was sentenced to a beheading that they paid the axe man just before the deed hoping for a good clean cut.

Also, as I predicted in the other thread about this case, I've not heard any main broadcaster report on this unfair and unjust request.

Anyone with any info on any radio or paper report would be most welcome.