SFA seek answers as Llambias joins Rangers board

[ian1964 10,728]

CAMPBELL Ogilvie has reiterated the determination of the Scottish Football Association to seek clear answers from Mike Ashley, as the Sports Direct owner continues to increase his influence in the running of Rangers.

 

Ogilvie, president of the SFA, said yesterday the association had written to Ashley – also owner of Newcastle United –looking for ‘clarification’ of his position, but said a reply had not yet been forthcoming.

 

The tycoon owns 8.92 per cent of Rangers, runs the retail division and holds naming rights for Ibrox after buying them for £1 from former chief executive Charles Green. He also gave Rangers a £2 million loan last week.

 

Hours before Ogilvie’s comments, it was announced to the Stock Exchange that former Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias was appointed to the Rangers board as a non-executive director, further strengthening Ashley’s position.

 

Ashley has signed an agreement with the SFA that limits him to having no more than a 10 per cent stake in Rangers while he is in command at St James’ Park. The agreement is designed to limit his control over Rangers but it remains unclear if by appointing Llambias or Barry Leach – another of his close associates hired on a consultancy basis – would fall foul of that deal. Ogilvie said the SFA would continue to press Ashley for answers, and a possible meeting to discuss his intentions.

 

“We’ve written to the club itself and to Mike Ashley looking for clarification,” said Ogilvie, a former general secretary anddirector at Rangers.

 

“We’re waiting for replies to that and we’ll take it from there. We need more information at this stage. There could be a meeting. We wrote to them at the end of last week, we’re waiting for a reply.

 

“That could lead to a meeting between the SFA and the club – and, indeed, Mike Ashley and his advisors. That would be the next step. Then we’ll take it from there. But we really need more information.

 

“Fundamentally, the undertaking was not to go above the 10 per cent shareholding – and not to have influence in the running of the club. Fundamentally, that was it.

 

“On the back of the movement last week, we’ve written asking for more information. Until we get that information, we can’t comment further.”

 

Rangers chairman David Somers announced last week that Llambias had been brought in as a consultant but now the club has confirmed he has taken on official duties. The club’s statement said: “The board of Rangers announces that it has appointed Derek Llambias as a non-executive director. In accordance with Rangers’ Articles of Association, Mr Llambias will be subject to re-election by ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the company at the upcoming Annual General Meeting which is expected to be held in December.”

 

Somers previously held non-executive responsibilities as chairman but took over day-to-day running of the club last week as he set about finding replacements for chief executive Graham Wallace and Philip Nash, the former finance director, who were both forced out after failing to stop the club accepting the £2m loan from Ashley.

 

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-lower-divisions/sfa-seek-answers-as-llambias-joins-rangers-board-1-3591968

[Frankie 8,600]

The fact RFC haven't replied shows that Ashley couldn't care less what the SFA thinks or asks for.

[compo 7,096]

I think these agreements go for nothing

[RANGERRAB 3,691]

The fact RFC haven't replied shows that Ashley couldn't care less what the SFA thinks or asks for.

 

The SFA wanting to adhere to agreements/rules LOL.

This was the organisation who were told by Lord Glennie their registration embargo was unlawful was forced Rangers into accepting it anyway.

[RANGERRAB 3,691]

Call me a cynic but why didnt the SFA show this level of concern about RANGERS when Whyte emerged on the scene and bought Rangers ?

Are they suggesting they didnt know anything about Whyte ? AJ & PM certainly did. So did Jeff Randall on SKY business news.

I can perfectly understand why Ashley would blank the SFA

[Thinker 887]

Ashley must be on dodgy ground here. The SFA have shown before that they are a law unto themselves and can do what they want without worrying especially about the legality of their actions.

[BrahimHemdani 1]

Call me a cynic but why didnt the SFA show this level of concern about RANGERS when Whyte emerged on the scene and bought Rangers ?

Are they suggesting they didnt know anything about Whyte ? AJ & PM certainly did. So did Jeff Randall on SKY business news.

I can perfectly understand why Ashley would blank the SFA

 

They were concerned about Whyte but allowed themselves to be fobbed off by his lawyers for approx 6 months; I doubt that will happen this time.

 

However there is a big difference between "control" and a disqualified director.

[RANGERRAB 3,691]

They were concerned about Whyte but allowed themselves to be fobbed off by his lawyers for approx 6 months; I doubt that will happen this time.

 

However there is a big difference between "control" and a disqualified director.

 

Fobbed off by his lawyers ? they allowed him to buy Rangers with ticketus money. Didnt take long for JT & KJ to discover that did it?

[Calgacus 8]

Ashley's business career suggests that he doesn't pay much attention to rules and agreements

[Hildy 0]

Regardless of what has happened before, the SFA should be demanding answers.

 

If the club is trying to duck the issue, the SFA has the power to make sure that it can't.