Marathe was confirmed as Andrew Cavenagh’s right-hand man around the top table in the aftermath of the takeover by Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises last May.

Now the Rangers Review can exclusively reveal that the Leeds United chairman has moved back from his official position with the club. It is understood that director Gene Schneur – who is also on the board at Elland Road – has also relinquished his role in Glasgow just months after being appointed to a new-look hierarchy.

Read more:

The moves are designed to keep Rangers – who are not part of a multi-club structure with United – in line with UEFA rules regarding individuals who have an influence in more than one club. The governing body have taken a hard-line stance on multi-club ownership and demoted Crystal Palace from the Europa League to the Conference League this term amid the controlling say of Lyon owner John Textor.

Rangers and Leeds operate with completely separate executive structures and there will be no change to the ownership model as a result of Marathe and Schneur’s exits. UEFA does not permit two clubs within an ownership group to play in the same European competition, with the club that finishes lower in their domestic league forced to give up their spot if a conflict arises.

Marathe is the Leeds United chairman (Image: Shutterstock)

That scenario could unfold in the coming months should Rangers and Leeds both qualify for the Europa League. Danny Rohl’s side will play in the secondary UEFA competition if they finish second in the Premiership, while Daniel Farke has his sights set on an FA Cup win that would come with a Europa League berth as a prize.

UEFA brought forward the assessment date from June 1 to March 1 following the Palace situation, which saw the Premier League outfit lose an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In order to meet the compliance requirements and to avoid any potential conflicts, Marathe and Schneur have now stepped back from their positions at Ibrox.

Sources have told the Rangers Review that the moves will have no impact on the US ownership structure (Image: Andrew Milligan)

Sources have told the Rangers Review that the moves will have no impact on the blueprints – in both football and financial terms – in place between Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises. The American consortium remains fully committed to their plans to deliver success on and off the field following their 51 per cent share acquisition last summer.