Rangers barred from playing in top league

GLASGOW – Scottish football was thrown into disarray Wednesday after indebted Glasgow giant Rangers were barred from competing in the Scottish Premier League following a vote by top-tier clubs. The decision to reject the bid by a new Rangers ownership to play in the top division following the club’s financial meltdown could threaten the economic well-being of teams around Scotland. Rangers chief executive Charles Green said the 140-year-old club was “deeply disappointed” with the result of the vote and will be applying to join the Scottish Football League, which is made up of three divisions. — Reuters