Rangers demoted to Scottish Third Division

LONDON (AFP) –

The entrance to Rangers Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. Rangers will play in Scottish football’s Third Division next season, the Scottish Football League said in a statement following a meeting on Friday.

Cash-strapped Glasgow giants Rangers will play in the Third Division next season following a vote of Scottish Football League clubs on Friday in a move that could have enormous consequences for the entire future of Scottish football.

Already expelled from the Scottish Premier League (SPL), following the formation of a new company or newco that took place after Rangers entered administration, they were dropped to the lowest league tier of Scottish football following a meeting of Scottish Football League chairmen.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan had said that demoting Rangers to the Third Division would cause financial catastrophe and a “slow, lingering death” of the Scottish game and said they should be dropped to the First Division instead.

But at a news conference after Friday’s meeting it was announced that 25 out of the 30 SFL clubs had voted for Rangers to be entered into the Third Division.