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New controversy over Rangers takeover as four men are arrested


 
 

The ongoing controversy over Rangers' sale in 2011 has taken a new turn as four men have been arrested by Police.

The men were held during early morning raids at addresses across the UK in an operation which involved officers from Surrey Police, Cheshire Police and Thames Valley Police.

Police Scotland have been investigating the sale of Rangers from Sir David Murray to Craig Whyte in 2011 for over a year. 

Whyte bought the club for £1 but also took on it's £18m debt with Lloyds Bank. However, in 2012 the club was taken into administration due unpaid tax bills.

The club was saved from liquidation after being bought by a consortium fronted by Charles Green the following year, but was relegated to the lowest division of Scottish football.

Whyte was subsequently banned from being a director of the club for 15 years for his tenure at the club, most notably his dealings with the finance company Ticketus, who he sold three years worth of season tickets to to pay off the club's debts.

Reports suggest that Mr Whyte himself is not one of the four men who are being held.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "Four men have been detained as a result of the ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent acquisition of Rangers Football Club."

"Around 6am on Friday, Police Scotland officers, assisted by officers from Thames Valley Police, Cheshire Police and Surrey Police, attended a number of addresses in England and detained four men."

Rangers have had a number of comings and goings in the boardroom over the past 18 months, with the most recent development seeing Newcastle owner and Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley increase his share in the club substantially.

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