Transparency,Clarity and Good Governance in handling the operations of the SPFL – Big six clubs raise ‘serious concerns’

Rangers is one of six Scottish Premiership clubs that have expressed “serious concerns” about

how the recent independent assessment of the Scottish Professional Football League’s operations was handled.

The clubs, which include Aberdeen, Motherwell, Livingston, St Johnstone, and St Mirren,

have addressed a combined letter to the SPFL management asking clarification on the report’s findings.

They have accused league officials of altering the study before it was distributed to SPFL board members,

and that only one unnamed club was given the opportunity to contribute to the probe.

SPFL chairman Murdoch McLennan claimed last month that he was “reassured but not complacent” with

the conclusions of independent external auditors Henderson Loggie.

The clubs maintain that this was a “highly inappropriate” statement because it “did not reflect the full findings of the report”.

The inquiry was commissioned in July,

when MacLennan apologised to Rangers following a sponsorship issue involving automobile maker Cinch was resolved in their favour.

Rangers made a joint statement to the media that read: “On behalf of SPFL Premiership teams Aberdeen,

a letter was issued today to the SPFL management in response to the handling of the recent Independent Governance report.

The clubs have major issues about the report’s independence, transparency, and the overall governance of the SPFL.

“The letter asks complete explanation on multiple concerns so that the clubs, as SPFL shareholders,

can consider whether more action is required. In connection with the publication of a draft report to the SPFL Board,

SPFL Chairman Murdoch McLennan issued a hasty statement that did not reflect the report’s complete conclusions.

Furthermore, the statement was released without the agreement or knowledge of members of the SPFL Board or member clubs.

thus the SPFL Chairman’s public comments prior to that meeting were highly improper.

The clubs and others are highly concerned about the report’s independence,

given that the SPFL Executive received the first draft of the report and made changes to it prior to sending it to SPFL Board members.

“Of the 42 member clubs, just one had the opportunity to contribute to the report’s investigation, excluding current or former SPFL Board members.

Despite multiple requests from the clubs,

the report has yet to be released to any of the member clubs, despite the clubs footing the bill for its creation.

“The handling of the Independent Governance report has brought the clubs’ governance concerns to a head,

and it is now incumbent on the SPFL Board and Executive, for the sake of trust in those running our game,

to provide clarity over these clear and deeply troubling concerns as a matter of urgency.”

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