Have mixed views on this. Like some other clubs, they have been shafted by a bad owner. They have been placed into administration and lost points. They owe loads of taxes and have huge debts. I know they deserve punishment and generally I have little interest in Scottish football, but is it right (not legally but morally) to stick the knife in and scupper any hope of saving the club. Imagine if this was Saints? I'm sure most of you will side with SPL, but what will happen with Scottish football without Rangers.
The SFA are damned if they do and damned if they don't. They have to award an appropriate punishment for sustained and systematic rule breaking yet they have to take into consideration that the club is on the brink and up for sale. The fines are paltry and a one year transfer embargo is nothing, the real punishment is the effect this has on potential buyers but to reduce any punishment in order to help them secure a buyer would be so very wrong. The only similar cases I can think of are the match fixing cases in Italy and the punishments dealt out there were far more draconian than this.
That sentence should have had a question mark by the way. The answer to your question is we will probably find out next season.
The damage really is already done. To be honest I expect they will appeal and come to some compromise such as no transfer fees over £500k, contract restrictions or something like that. But I am interested in the difference in the way Rangers have acted/been treated by the SFA and how Pompey have been dealt with by the FA.
I think the transfer embargo destroys any hope they may have of competing with Celtic next season. Which is going to make the SPL even more pointless than it is already. Perhaps Rangers could merge with Pompey, and apply to play in League 1. After all, it's the same kit practically, so they'd both save on that.
