RST Seeks Clarification Over McGregor Ban

[chilledbear 16]

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/

 

The Rangers Supporters Trust has written to SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan to ask for clarification on the timing and process relating to the one match ban handed out to Rangers goalkeeper Alan McGregor following his innocuous but ill-advised fresh air swipe in the direction of Aberdeen’s Chris McGuire on 26th September.

 

Rangers supporters understandably remain deeply concerned about what appears to be an arbitrary disciplinary process completely lacking in consistency, transparency and accountability. Having now had ample opportunity, the SFA’s subsequent refusal to shed any degree of satisfactory light on the issue has merely served to muddy the waters and generate yet more questions. Specifically, the RST has requested clarification on the following items:

 

•Who brought the matter to the attention of the SFA and in what capacity was the complainant acting?

•How and when was the incident brought to the attention of the SFA?

•On what basis and by whom is it decided that a special disciplinary meeting should or should not be convened?

•Does the complainant receive feedback on these decisions to proceed or not, and if so how?

•Is there any precedent for a complaint to be received and acted upon so rapidly towards the end of the allowed 14-day period following the occurrence of an incident?

•Will the SFA make public the names of the three members of the specially convened committee in order to demonstrate impartiality?

•What precedent exists for a player receiving a one-match ban plus 12 penalty points for violent conduct in a case where no physical contact was actually made?

The SFA urgently needs to take steps to clarify these issues so that Rangers fans (and in fact supporters of all clubs) can gain comfort that the process is not subject to misuse. At present there appears to be no consistency or transparency and no accountability either at the start or the end of the process, which is completely unsatisfactory. If nobody understands who can make a complaint or how or what needs to happen for the SFA to decide whether any complaint should be taken seriously or not, the Association increases the likelihood of disruptive, disingenuous or spurious complaints arriving in droves at Hampden Park every Monday morning – accompanied by calls for explanations on the types of issues raised here.

 

The Rangers Supporters Trust awaits an early and transparent response from the new SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan.

 

Edited October 15, 2010 by Frankie

[ian1964 10,513]

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=21254&page=6

[Frankie 8,200]

Yeah, happy for this to have its own thread.

[ian1964 10,513]

Yeah, happy for this to have its own thread.

 

It does merit it's own thread:)

[pete 2,499]

Yeah, happy for this to have its own thread.

 

It can maybe use the thread to patch up the cracks.

[ascender 352]

I guess the first question is, why hasn't someone in our club asked these questions publicly instead of it having to come from a supporter's group.

 

The statement is well worded and I like how they've not resorted to finger pointing at other incidents that have gone unpunished, choosing just to focus on what affects The Gers directly.

[craig 5,199]

I guess the first question is, why hasn't someone in our club asked these questions publicly instead of it having to come from a supporter's group.

 

Yep, the club should be making the same statements, I thought the same thing Mike. That said, they could be asking these questions behind the scenes.... who am I kidding ?

 

The statement is well worded and I like how they've not resorted to finger pointing at other incidents that have gone unpunished, choosing just to focus on what affects The Gers directly.

 

Yep, I agree here and it was one of the first things that struck me. The statement, IMO, goes back to the type of public statements the Trust were making a couple of years ago. Well prepared, thought out and without resorting to mud-slinging against other clubs.

 

One hopes this is a reversion of the Trust to what it used to do in PR. A single statement wont have any of us convinced but hopefully it is the turning of a corner.

[maineflyer 0]

To put it in fairly restrained terms, thank fuck the RST has finally been goaded out of the shadows to do something worthwhile ... and this is indeed a good effort at doing something worthwhile.

 

Please ... do not allow this to get caught up in the usual RST disease of political posturing .... make sure this is pursued through to a result .... something that has us all expressing gratitude for an achievement at long last. This is better but try to get beyond the words to the stage where a difference has actually been made.

[stewarty 1,896]

Has Walter not given the press the heads-up that he will be commenting on this matter at today's pre-match conference?

[Frankie 8,200]

Has Walter not given the press the heads-up that he will be commenting on this matter at today's pre-match conference?

 

Not sure mate - he may choose not to given several players have commented on this.