SIR DAVID MURRAY today branded the SPL the laughing stock of world football.

His blast came after the SPL rejected Rangers' appeal to postpone Saturday's home game against Dundee United to give them a week to prepare for the Uefa Cup Final.

The SFA were ready to move the Scottish Cup Final between Queen of the South and Rangers from May 24 and free up that weekend for the final round of SPL games. Rangers would have faced United on Thursday, May 22, the original extension date.

However, after crunch talks at Hampden between SFA chief executive Gordon Smith and SPL executive chairman Lex Gold, it was announced the Cup Final would not be switched and there would be no league extension.

Rangers owner Murray launched a stinging attack on the SPL, and demanded a close season summit to explain their handling of a chaotic season.

He fired: "Their decision does not surprise me, but disappoints and angers myself and indeed the Rangers supporters.

"We wrote to the SPL on Friday asking for the Dundee United match to be moved and both the SPL and the club turned down our request.

"The SFA then became involved and, after a further meeting today, we have once again been turned down.

"I don't think we have been treated fairly. Most, if not all, football associations throughout the world would have taken a different position. In fact, they would have been only too pleased to assist a member club.

"What has happened here is footballing authorities not being proactive in their assistance, but only at this late stage by being reactive through embarrassment.

"Throughout the world people will laugh at this decision in disbelief, and none more so than in Russia, as their own association have done everything they can to assist FC Zenit St Petersburg.

"We were not asking that all games be called off, simply one match prior to a prestigious European Final.

"The reaction throughout Europe when we have been discussing other matters with clubs has been one of astonishment that we are in this situation.

"We will make no further comment but will now focus on the challenge ahead."

Boss Walter Smith said: "That's it, we know the situation now. We will play the games."

SPL boss Gold said: "We met the SFA to explore the available options, including a review of the Scottish Cup Final date. But no viable alternatives emerged that did not place the integrity of the SPL competition at risk.

"It is not possible to modify the closing date without placing at serious risk the fairness to all of our competition."

Gordon Smith said: "Even allowing for the significant difficulties in moving the Cup Final, it was an option.

"However, it was felt it was not a viable move as it would not open up any room for change in the SPL programme."

SFA president George Peat said: "We should be doing everything in our power to help a Scottish club win in Europe. It's not important that it's Rangers. What matters is that this country has to help one of its own."

Rangers schedule is:

May 7: Motherwell (h), May 10 Dundee United (h), May 14 Zenit (n), May 17 Motherwell (a), May 19 St Mirren (a), May 22 Aberdeen (a), May 24 Queen of the South (n).