The SPFL have called an emergency meeting over the row with Rangers as the crisis took a new twist.
The Ibrox side have been in a row with the SPFL over the sponsorship deal with cinch, who are now believed to be willing to pull the plug on it.
Rangers wrote to every SPFL club on Wednesday after the league body had done similar last week and there’s now an emergency meeting taking place on Thursday over the issue.
The Daily Record report that the urgent meeting was called to take place on Thursday and league bosses are now waiting on evidence of Stewart Robertson’s claims over the contract.
He said in his letter that Rangers are not legally obliged to promote the partnership with cinch after they left the branding off their shirts last weekend.
The row has reportedly annoyed a number of Premiership clubs who are now worried that cinch could pull the plug on their £1.6m per season deal.
The letter sent by Rangers said: “We have been in private dialogue with the SPFL Executive since 8 June on this topic but, given that they have sought to make the issue public, it is appropriate for you to be aware of the circumstances involved.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Rangers continues to comply with the rules of the SPFL. One of the key rules that protects the commercial interests of all members is Rule I7.
“When the SPFL Executive put forward the written resolution with regards to the new sponsorship contract, Rangers immediately notified Neil Doncaster that, in line with Rule I7, we would be unable to provide the new sponsor with many of their rights due to a pre-existing contractual obligation.
“We cannot breach an existing contract. This is a legal principle which is founded in Scots Law and is the reason that the SPFL has Rule I7 within its rules.
“Rangers has complied with and will continue to comply with the SPFL rules and fulfil all sponsorship obligations which do not conflict with our pre-existing contractual obligations.
“However, this situation has raised some questions which the members may well wish to ask of the SPFL Executive:
“Given the possibility of Rule I7 being relied upon by members, did the SPFL Executive/legal advisors include a clause in the contract with cinch, which allows the SPFL not to provide rights to cinch where members rely upon Rule I7? If not, why not?
“Given that the issue was raised by Rangers (when there is no need under the rules for Rangers to do so) immediately after the written resolution was raised, why did the SPFL Executive proceed to sign the contract when they knew there was an issue and without further checking with Rangers as to its extent?
“Did the SPFL Executive inform cinch prior to the contract being signed that it could not provide all of the rights it was contracting to provide due to SPFL Rule I7?
“It was interesting that the Chairman provided the Chief Executive with the credit for closing the deal when it was introduced to the SPFL by an agency that will receive c.£100,000 pa in fees for each of the 5 years of the deal.
“That is c.£500,000 of cash that will be leaving the Scottish game. Is this the best use of Scottish Football’s limited resources? Could this money have been better spent by employing a full time Commercial Director?
“I trust that this clarifies the position. Best regards. Stewart Robertson managing director.”
Steven Gerrard's side will continue to not wear cinch branding when they face Dundee United this weekend, live on Sky Sports.
