A vote to decide whether to admit a Rangers 'newco' into the top-flight will take place on Wednesday July 4th, the SPL have announced.
SPL will bring disciplinary charges when Gers' future is clarified
A vote to decide whether to admit a Rangers 'newco' into the top-flight will take place on Wednesday July 4th, the Scottish Premier League have announced.
The SPL have also said disciplinary charges will be brought against Rangers when the future of the club is clarified, and before the start of the new season, following an investigation into player payments outside of contract.
The Ibrox club were not included in next season's list of SPL fixtures when they were released on Monday, with 'Club 12' taking their place due to the uncertainty surrounding their future.
Vote
With the original club now in liquidation, the 11 remaining members of the SPL will vote on whether to accept the newco, owned by Charles Green, into the top flight for next term, with July 4th named as the date they will learn their fate.
An SPL statement read: "An application for registration of transfer of Rangers' SPL share has been received.
"Consideration of the application will depend on receipt by the SPL Board of all required documentation and verification.
"A general meeting of all 12 member clubs has been convened for 10am on Wednesday 4 July 2012 for members to decide whether to approve the transfer."
The final fixtures for the forthcoming SPL season will be determined after the vote on July 4th, just a month before the campaign starts.
If the vote is in Rangers' favour, they will occupy the 'Club 12' slot in the fixture list, otherwise Kilmarnock could host Dundee or Dunfermline at Rugby Park and the Ibrox club will seek an alternative league in which to play.
Dundee finished runners-up to Ross County in the First Division last season, while Dunfermline finished bottom of the SPL.
SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "Following the failure of Rangers FC to exit administration via a CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement), we have received an application to register the transfer of their SPL share to a newco. Should it be rejected, then another club may be invited to join the SPL for season 2012/13."
Rangers were consigned to liquidation last week when creditors formally rejected a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) after Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs had indicated their unwillingness to agree to the proposal.
A consortium led by Green subsequently completed the purchase of the business and assets of Rangers as a newco for £5.5million.
On the investigation into Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs), the SPL added: "The investigation has now been completed and, in the view of the SPL, there is a prima facie case to answer in respect of its Rules."
The SPL announced in March an inquiry into allegations that the club made undisclosed payments to players.
The investigation was instigated following claims surrounding the club's use of EBTs during Sir David Murray's reign.
The use of EBTs, from 2001-2010, was the subject of a tax tribunal in January, which has yet to deliver a verdict, although Rangers have defended their use of the offshore payments.
Charges
The SPL statement continued: "The SPL Board heard a report from its solicitors following the investigation into payments to, or for the benefit of, players allegedly made by Rangers FC outside of contract.
"The delay in concluding the investigation was caused by an initial lack of co-operation from Rangers FC.
"Disciplinary charges will be brought when the future status of Rangers FC is clarified and prior to the start of season 2012/13."
