Assoc-member club allege inappropriate SFA involvement
In a universe close to you, one side of a football club boardroom battle thought it would be a good idea to undermine the other side by accusing them of leaking company information. The allegations of a leak [at Newco Rangers, in case you were unaware]were blazoned across The Sun today, who were shown “a copy of explosive minutes from the board showdown at Murray Park where Gers power-brokers voted to sideline (chairman, Malcolm Murray)”.
This is cringe worthy. At what level of humanity does leaking [highly confidential]boardroom documents about an earlier alleged leak appear to be acceptable behaviour?
The Sun report the minutes from last week’s board meeting record:
“The SFA mentioned to the acting chief executive (Craig Mather) that the Rangers board situation needed addressing as the SFA understood information was leaking from the chairman.
“Given the concerns about confidentiality [no laughing now], credibility and professional conduct and the impact on regulators, a motion was proposed to remove Malcolm from the position of chairman and as director of the company following the completion of the investigation.
“It was decided that Malcolm should not attend to any duties in the meantime and would not be involved in the direction or detail of the investigation.
“The resolution was passed by a majority of shareholders.”
The campaign to blacken Malcolm Murray’s name has been underway for some months but you can ignore that, there are three points from the above worthy of note:
“Malcolm… would not be involved in the direction or detail of the investigation”. Despite having the minutes, The Sun fail to clarify which investigation is being referred to, the on-going investigation by Pinsent Masons and Deloittes, or an investigation into Malcolm Murray’s behaviour.
As it was proposed to sack Murray as a director on completion of the investigation it’s unlikely the investigation is into his own behaviour. Sentencing is usually reserved until after guilt is established.
The possibility that the minutes indicate Malcolm Murray will not be allowed to be involved in the direction or detail of the Pinsent Masons investigation renders the exercise pointless. The investigation into links between Green and Whyte, with consequences for SFA membership, was at the insistence of Murray. If the persons who removed him are now controlling the scope of his investigation, that investigation is moot.
The other interesting point is that the “resolution was passed by a majority of shareholders”. I’m pretty sure this was a directors’ board meeting not a shareholders meeting. It’s a curious comment to make its way onto the minutes.
By far the most concerning comment to be made on an SFA associate member’s boardroom minutes was:
“The SFA mentioned to the acting chief executive (Craig Mather) that the Rangers board situation needed addressing as the SFA understood information was leaking from the chairman”.
It is no business of the SFA whatsoever if a club chairman talks about its business outside the boardroom, the allegation here is of completely inappropriate behaviour by the Association, which makes it our business.
Who at the SFA is involved in this, what did they know, when did they know it, who told them and who did they speak?
Time for some leadership from the SFA board and some proper journalism, or would everyone rather play their part in the Great Football Swindle?
Heart of a Lion, the brilliant autobiography of Willie Wallace, is available to pre-order with the link below NOW!
[calameo code=000390171179f475cf1c0 lang=en page=6 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]