Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has been charged by the Scottish Football Association over his involvement with fallen Scottish giants Rangers. The charges come after the billionaire businessman increased his shareholding in Rangers to almost nine percent in October, having previously secured naming rights to the club's Ibrox stadium. In a statement, the SFA said that both Scottish Championship club Rangers and Ashley were accused of breaking rules that prevent parties from exerting an influence over more than one club. They are due to face a hearing at Hampden Park in Glasgow on January 27. The news came on the same day as it was confirmed Rangers manager Ally McCoist had tendered his resignation. McCoist has been given a 12-month notice period but the final say on whether the manager remains in charge of the cash-strapped Light Blues for that long could ultimately rest with the Sports Direct tycoon Ashley. However, his behind-the-scenes manoeuvrings have now put the Magpies owner on a collision course with the SFA. Compliance Officer Tony McGlennan has charged him with breaching two of the governing bodies' rules. The first - disciplinary rule 19 - states that "except with the prior written consent of the board no person [who] has any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration or a club, may at the same time either directly or indirectly (a) be a member of another club; or (b) be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of another club; or (c) have any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of another club. A second charge accuses Ashley of breaching disciplinary rule 77, which states, "A recognised football body, club, official, Team Official, other member of Team Staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall, at all times, act in the best interests of Association Football". Well well. What has he been up to this time?
The article about McCoist handing in 12 months notice will not help his case. Lambias doing his hatchet work him.
The bloke isn't stupid enough to walk blindly into a situation like this, I bet he'll have the last laugh anyhow.
It's naive of him to walk into this trap when every media outlet have been highlighting the obvious ramifications of having a controlling interest in the two clubs, no doubt he's found a loophole.
Or like many before him he has reached the point at which he thinks he is to big to be found guilty. If so like others before him this might just be his downfall and that of the clubs he is linked to. Happy Xmas!
He's a billionaire mate, if he's not learned from his mistakes from buying Newcastle then he wouldn't be a billionaire. I'll be extremely surprised if he doesn't have this all planned out, maybe it's his way of forcing the other directors out. Take a points deduction as a punishment for having him on the board, he refuses to step aside so the rest have no choice. He'll buy them all out at reduced prices, hand over full control to a family member and there you have it. Happy Xmas to you too mate
I don`t believe for one minute he (and his legal team) haven`t thought this through. He will either wangle his way out of it, or, if he is fined, still make a profit from advertising or something else behind the scenes. He is far from stupid and bound to have something up his sleeve.
Don't Man City's owners own bigger stakes in Melbourne City and New York City? Don't see what the problem is.
City are never eligible to play in an official competition against Melbourne or New York City, there's a (very slim) chance Rangers and Newcastle could meet in Europe and then fair play comes into question. I think Ashley's looking to make a quick buck on Rangers personally, rather than shifting his interest there permanently. In 5 years they could be an established CL side, he'd have a 20 year deal for Sports Direct advertising and there'd be a wad of cash for him in it personally through the sale of the club, which would then be far more attractive than it is currently.
I reckon it's more likely for City and NYC to meet in the World Club Cup than for Newcastle and Rangers to get into Europe...
Good point, City would have to win the Champions League for that to happen mind. please log in to view this image
It could certainly be that, or alternatively he might be looking to ditch the mags. He might even decide to wreck them. Let`s face it, the death threats and such from them ower the watter and the billions he`s got he can afford to be as spiteful as he likes.
More optimistic than anything though innit pops? Besides, he hates them more than that, if he stays they'll hate him more in the long run!
It is more on the wishful thinking side He could do a hell of a lot of damage though if he decided to. You`re probably right though Terry. The longer he stays the more he can enjoy the torment. I still think he`ll have gone through the Rangers thing with a fine tooth comb. Can`t see him being naive enough to get himself trapped. As sure as eggs is eggs he`s up to something.
