Rangers chief Charles Green apologises 'unreservedly' after being charged over 'little Paki friend' comment

Rangers chief executive Charles Green has “apologised unreservedly” for alleged racist comments.

The Yorkshire man is facing an Scottish Football Association charge after being served a notice of complaint for remarks made in a newspaper interview in which he referred to former Ibrox director Imran Ahmad as "my Paki friend".

He has been given until April 17 to respond, although last night he said sorry for his poorly-chosen phrase, saying: "I apologise unreservedly if any offence has been taken by my remark.

"I was actually trying to make the point, albeit clumsily, that I am not a racist.

"Imran Ahmad is a close friend and business associate and I would certainly have no cause or wish to offend him."

Former Sheffield United chief Green got himself in trouble after telling the Scottish Sun on Sunday: "I was brought up in a mining community where whether someone was black, white, Catholic, Salvation Army, Protestant, made no difference.

"When I played at Worksop Town, the other striker was 'Darkie' Johnson. Now if I say that today I could go to jail.

"You know, Imran will come into the office regularly and I'll say 'How's my Paki friend?"'

Following the publication of those comments, Green released a statement insisting that he "deplores" racism and sectarianism, while accusing Show Racism the Red Card - which reported him to the SFA - of a "knee-jerk reaction".

Meanwhile, detectives investigating former Rangers chairman Craig Whyte purchase of the club announced that had made a series of raids north and south of the border.

Police Scotland said: "These searches related to both domestic and business premises.

"This remains an ongoing investigation, and no further information can be provided at this stage".

It was also revealed yesterday that finance firm Ticketus had won a High Court battle in London over a £17.7million sum they say Whyte owes them following a ticket-purchase deal the London firm struck with him in May 2011 ahead of his Ibrox takeover. Whyte plans to appeal the verdict.

PA