Clubs set for July vote on Rangers' SPL future

Scottish Premier League (SPL) clubs will vote on July 4 on whether to allow a "newco" Rangers to keep the 140-year-old Glasgow giants' place in the top flight, it was announced on Monday.

Only then, just a month before the season starts, will matches for the new campaign be finalized after cash-strapped Rangers were omitted from the SPL fixture list announced earlier Monday, with their place taken by an as yet-to-be decided "Club 12".

Rangers were docked 10 points for entering administration last season, a decision that helped Celtic win the SPL title.

Last week a consortium led by English businessman Charles Green took over the club by creating a new company to run its business.

Green had hoped to persuade creditors to agree to a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) - where creditors are offered a percentage of total monies owed - thereby allowing debt-laden Rangers to exit administration.

However, British tax officials - chasing debts of more than 21 million pounds ($32.6 million) - refused to accept that proposal, forcing Green to form the new company.

If Rangers do become "Club 12" they will be away to Kilmarnock on Aug 4. If not, their place will be taken by either relegated Dunfermline or First Division runner-up Dundee.

Should Rangers remain in the SPL, the first Glasgow derby of the season will be at Parkhead on Sept 22, with another, at Ibrox, on Boxing Day.

If Rangers are not accepted into the SPL, they will have to apply to enter the bottom tier of the Scottish league.

(China Daily 06/20/2012 page22)