It has been revealed today that Rangers have been spared a sum in excess of one million pounds over the parting of the ways with the infamous Carlos Pena.
Three years on from his permanent Ibrox exit, a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling has overturned a FIFA decision to award the Mexican international a lump sum in compensation based on the final two years of his contract – as was the case back in 2019.
Well documented issues with alcohol have been the main factor in his wayward journey as a pro including the ill fated spell at Rangers under his former manager Pedro Caixinha. Realistically, once the Portuguese boss was gone, it was also the beginning of the end for the man nicknamed ‘Gullit’ in a supposed likeness of appearance and style on the pitch to the Dutch legend, Ruud.
Pena is said to have taken up his case with FIFA after he was banished from Ibrox with the subsequent ruling upholding his case but today’s report from the Rangers Review has added that:
“Pena was then awarded what sources describe as a ‘significant seven-figure sum’ as compensation for the final two years of his lucrative deal.”
“Shocked, Rangers moved quickly to contest the decision via CAS by engaging Stephen Samson of top sports law firm Squire Patton Boggs. They have been left waiting 18 months for a final decision and that has now arrived with FIFA’s judgement being overturned. This is final and means no payment will be made to the player.”
Relief
Given the recent talk emanating from Rangers executives over finances, it is an obvious boost that a ‘needless’ cost has been averted, especially for a player who should never have been signed on the onerous terms that he was. On paper, Pena’s ability should have seen him make far more of a contribution in Glasgow but that was not to be.
His downward spiral was already in progress before arriving in Scotland for his ill-fated spell with the added frustration that he was a skilful player with talent as witnessed with those late runs into the box for goals against the likes of Aberdeen at Ibrox and away to St Johnstone.
Carlos Pena is now thought to be playing in Honduras at his seventh club since the initial loan exit from Rangers in July 2018, which has included three clubs in his native Mexico as well as stints in Guatemala and El Salvador.