Ally unconcerned by SPL probe

Ally unconcerned by SPL probe

Published Aug. 7, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

The SPL appointed an independent commission last week, which will determine whether the Ibrox side breached rules in relation to Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) payments and arrangements for players between 2001 and 2010.

Speaking on the same day former Rangers owner Sir David Murray denied cheating took place during his stewardship, McCoist claimed so-called dual contracts were not in use as far as he is concerned.

One of the more severe sanctions which Rangers could face if found guilty is the stripping of league titles, a punishment the club have said they would strenuously challenge.

McCoist said: "I'm under the impression there are absolutely no dual contracts.

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"Therefore, I've been told it's probably a complete waste of time.

"But if people in places see fit to pursue this, that's up to them.

"I've made my views clear, my opinion hasn't changed.

"We will just let the process take its natural course now and see what happens.

"I've got enough to worry about and I'm trying my best not to worry any more."

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Murray said: "During my stewardship of Rangers no rules were breached or circumvented and I reject and resent any suggestion that anything was done which amounted to cheating.

"As was required of a PLC, all accounts were fully audited and made available to all entitled parties. All football rules were complied with.

"All enquiries from entitled parties or organisations were answered.

"I cannot be anything other than angered at the suggestion Rangers should be stripped of titles or other competition victories."

On SPL rules, Murray - who sold his majority shareholding to Craig Whyte for ?1 in May 2011 - claimed there are "efforts to retrospectively rewrite laws to incorporate items not previously covered".

He added: "The SPL rules variously required disclosure of all contract of service matters and all payments from a club to a player.

"It would now appear that these are to be rewritten to incorporate non-contractual loans from independent third parties and other non-contractual matters.

"If this is the case then press comment over the past few years would appear to indicate that several clubs other than Rangers may well have fallen foul of the soon-to-be-changed historic laws.

"It would also appear that the SPL is once again seeking to invest itself with a power of retrospective penalty beyond that prescribed in its own rules."

Murray also moved to clarify Rangers' use of EBTs.

The club is awaiting the first tier tribunal's verdict on the 'big' tax case, which could result in a tax bill of ?49million if Rangers lose the dispute with HMRC.

Murray said: "Much has been said and written about EBTs. It should be noted that the tax treatment of these is an issue as yet unresolved and it is wrong to prejudge the outcome.

"There was no contractual or beneficial entitlement to the funds on the part of any individual and the monies paid to EBTs were not "remuneration" in terms of any rules applying to the club.

"Since 2001 when the EBT scheme was introduced, the amounts contributed were disclosed in the audited financial statements of the club. These audited accounts were provided to the SFA and SPL as required.

"As the law stands, it is the right of every tax payer to minimise his tax liability.

"Tax AVOIDANCE is a right. It is tax EVASION which is a crime."

Meanwhile, McCoist confirmed Rangers are close to completing the signing of Francisco Sandaza.

The former St Johnstone striker was a Rangers target last season and looks set to become the latest addition to McCoist's squad.

The manager said: "I'm hopeful there will be a deal done very, very soon.

"The best way to put it is that Francisco hasn't signed yet but we are very keen to get him.

"The agent and our representatives have been in discussions over the weekend and I'd be hopeful he'd be signing soon."

Brazilian trialist Emilson Cribari could also be set for a move after arriving in Glasgow on Saturday night, while former Hearts strikers Craig Beattie and Kevin Kyle also remain an option.

McCoist has already recruited Ian Black and Dean Shiels and does not believe his attempts to sign SPL quality players to play in the Irn-Bru Third Division will endanger the club's finances again, after being consigned to liquidation in the summer.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Scottish Communities League Cup tie against East Fife, he said: "I would hope not, that goes without saying. That's the last thing we need.

"It's been well-documented what the finances have been like for the last nine or 10 months.

"I'm not passing the buck but that isn't my department. I'm not an accountant but I do know figures have to be balanced.

"That's somebody else's department but I would be very hopeful that we wouldn't be signing these players unless it was economically possible."

McCoist has just one absentee through injury for the tie against East Fife, with defender Ross Perry ruled out with a calf strain.

American midfielders Maurice Edu and Alejandro Bedoya will also not be included in the squad after both indicated a desire to quit the Ibrox side.

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