Today was another historic day for Scottish football.

Yes, another one.

First the SFA published the notes of the three man tribunal who had imposed a £160,000 fine on the club and, more importantly, a twelve month transfer embargo.

Rangers have appealed this decision and the appeal will be heard next week.

Next week three men will sit in judgment of Rangers.

The notes reveal that the three man panel considered that the crimes of Ranger were only less serious than match fixing.

They considered expelling the 140 years old club from the Scottish Football Association.

The appeal tribunal will be comprised of the Right Honourable Lord Carloway (Chair), Craig Graham and Allan Cowan.

The men on the original panel were subjected to threats from Rangers supporters.

Initially their identities were kept secret, but it leaked out onto a Rangers supporters website.

Threats were made and the police gave advice on personal security to the men who became known as the “Hampden 3”.

These panel members are chosen from a one hundred strong “taxi rank” of people willing to contribute to the SFA’s new system.

At least one member of the SFA’s list said he didn’t want to be considered for the appellant tribunal on Rangers.

I know several people on the “taxi rank” and there weren’t any of them who wanted to sit on this one about Rangers!

Lord Carloway is no stranger to the social problems caused by the Rangers sub-culture.

Sitting in the High Court of Justiciary in June 2009 he ruled that   Kilmarnock sheriff court had been correct to convict William Walls for singing the famine song.

He ruled that this song, beloved of many Rangers fans, was racist and aimed at Irish people in Scotland and those of Irish descent.

That was an important victory over anti-Irish racism in Scottish football.

The SFA document released today indicates malpractice at the highest levels in Rangers.

Of course Lord Carloway and his two colleagues do have the powers to increase the punishment imposed on the Ibrox club last month.

Also today the “Blue Knights” consortium headed by ex-Rangers director Paul Murray and backed up by entrepreneur Brian Kennedy withdrew their offer to buy the club.

At a press conference they inferred that the administrators Duff & Phelps had been less than helpful in facilitating the sale of the club to them.

Both Kennedy and Murray said that their legal advice had told them that a Creditor’s Voluntary Agreement (CVA) was no longer possible within the given timeframe.

This means that the only route out of administration is liquidation.

The Scottish Premier league 2011/2012 season ends on Sunday.

Rangers football club (1872) may not have much longer to live.

Did I mention that these were historic days for Scottish football?