mar 3, 2013 - Gordon Johnston (author, journalist, editor,
blogger) writes to the SFA asking for
clarification of how the rules regarding
eligibility of players will be applied relating to
the results of Oldco Rangers, pointing out that
Spartans were booted out the Scottish Cup in
2011 for missing a date on a form
Description:
Dear Colleagues,
You will be aware, of course, of the recent verdict of the Commission headed by Lord Nimmo Smith into the matter of the registration of footballers by the former Rangers FC.
You will also be aware that the Commission concluded that many players were not registered correctly, as full details of payments made to them were not disclosed to the footballing authorities.
I would like to inquire how this matter will now be progressed by the SFA in relation to the past participation of the many players involved in Scottish Cup ties.
You will recall that in November 2011, Spartans were excluded from the Scottish Cup because an incorrectly registered player was fielded in a tie. The club’s victory was subsequently overturned by an SFA judicial panel because of this administrative error.
The matter was reported at the time by the BBC. This link provides the details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15672375
I note that the BBC reports that, “Scottish Cup rules now state that any club that plays a player who is ineligible will be thrown out of the competition. The rules also state that neither the judicial panel or anyone at the SFA has the authority to change this rule.”
I would be grateful for your comments on how this rule will now be applied in relation to the former Rangers FC in light of Lord Nimmo Smith’s Commission having confirmed that any players were not registered in accordance with football’s rules and were therefore ineligible to play in Scottish Cup ties.
Yours sincerely
Gordon Johnston
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