ASA confirms one complainant seeks Independent Review of Rangers ‘Scotland’s most successful club’ ruling
Following Wednesday’s announcement that the ASA would not be upholding complaints made against Rangers ‘Scotland’s most successful club’ campaign, a request for an independent review has been recieved.
The advertising body has revealed to The Drum that one of the complainants is now seeking an Independent Review of the decision which was confirmed on Wednesday after a total of 78 complaints were lodged against the club’s promotional activity, which included an email campaign reading “Join Scotland’s Most Successful Club at Ibrox’. The campaign also included a radio ad stating: “Join Scotland’s most successful club at Ibrox and guarantee your seat for the last four games of the season…”.
The ASA accepted Rangers evidence that the previous club, which entered administration in February 2012, had its assets bought by another company – Rangers Football Club. Adding that it considered consumers would understand the claim was related to Rangers Football Club, rather than whoever owned or operated it.
The ASA ruling concluded "that it was not misleading for the ad to make reference to RFC's history, which was separate to that of Newco".
Under the terms of an Independent Review both sides have 21 days from the date on the ASA’s letter of notification regarding the decision to ask Sir Hayden Phillips, independent reviewer of ASA adjudications, to review the case.
In order to have the case reviewed the person appealing the decision needs to show a “substantial flaw of process or adjudication is apparent” or “show that additional relevant evidence is available”.
It is thought that a number of the original complaints were made by fans of rival club Celtic as part of a co-ordinated campaign claiming the use of the club's historic success was misleading as the current iteration of Rangers was only established in 2012.
It is not known at this time whether or not the independent reviewer will be taking up the complainant’s request.
The reviewer will now decide to accept or reject the request and if accepted ask Rangers to submit further comment. At the conclusion of the investigation the independent reviewer will make a recommendation to the ASA Council which may ask the Council to reconsider the ruling.