Sir Kenny Dalglish questions SPFL for dismissive stance over Rangers dossier
Sir Kenny Dalglish has claimed that it is “strange” for the SPFL to be so dismissive of Rangers and their dossier of evidence against the governing body.
The Gers presented their 200-page document last week ahead of this Tuesday’s historic EGM on whether or not an independent investigation is to be brought forth against the organisation following April’s vote on ending the Scottish lower league season early.
The SPFL have responded to the dossier by claiming that it does not include a “single shred of evidence” against them, but Dalglish is of the belief that it still raises a number of issues that Scottish football’s top brass cannot afford to ignore.
Writing in a column for the Sunday Post, he said: “The 200-page Ibrox report may well have lacked something really explosive, but it raised matters that need to be addressed and looked at closely.
“For this [the motion on an independent inquiry] to be passed, it requires 75% of the SPFL clubs to vote in favour. It is down to them to cast their vote, based both on the Rangers dossier and their own personal experiences.
“That’s why I found it a bit strange that the SPFL should be so dismissive, so quickly, of the report. Was it really their place to do that before the votes had been cast?
“Overall, it has been extremely unpleasant. It is still a mess. Indeed, it is totally toxic.”
Does Dalglish have a point here?
Absolutely, he does.
There have been far too few pundits who have taken Rangers’ dossier in the broader context of what is happening in Scottish football right now.
People like Michael Stewart, as an example, have hammered the Gers for their “unacceptable” behaviour, without really appearing to scrutinise the SPFL themselves.
Regardless of if you think the dossier contains a smoking gun that points to illegality in the governing body’s voting practices, you cannot deny that the manner in which they have handled this whole episode has been nothing short of shambolic.
From that first vote, to Deloitte’s unsatisfactory inquiry, to their dismissive response to the Gers’ allegations, this whole affair has highlighted real shortcomings in the professionalism and transparency of the organisation.
For the integrity of Scottish football, these issues need investigating as much as anything else.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox Exclusive: Bruce backs Alex Rae claim that Turnbull would improve Gers squad.