EU man the barricades against Blatter
The European Parliament fired a shot across Fifa president
Sepp Blatter's bows on Friday by voting against his suggestions to limit the
number of non-nationals allowed to play for a team.
The motion voted for read: "The parliament calls on the member states and sports
associations not to introduce new rules that create direct discrimination based
on nationality, such as FIFA's 6+5.
"It calls on the Commission to recognise the legality of measures favouring the
promotion of players who have come through training schemes, such as a minimum
number of locally-trained players, irrespective of their nationality."
The motion was carried by 518 votes to 49.
Dutch MEP Toine Manders said: "In the jungle of sport we need clear legal
guidelines. If you ask if these gentleman's agreements will hold, you are very
wrong. We are talking about big business, powerful clubs who will go to court
if necessary. Mr Blatter will only open up another pandora's box like Bosman."
podium!
1st
Boo!!!
FIFA and UEFA surely know by now that they can't just flout European law.
Did I grab a bronze?
No ;)
Dammit.
One Star Means More,
Blatter believes his word is God regardless of who else is involved.
He was coached very well by 'the Godfather' Joao Havelange. A football tyrant if ever there was one.
Trying to get a podium on here is like trying to win a penalty at the Deathstar!
TEST
OK, since we have a new article....I will ask it here.
What is the deal with Ognjen Vukojević. Seena rumour he has agreed to join the bhoys and his profile on Wiki has been changed to say that this is being reporting in the Croatian media.
Anybody?
I used to work for a guy who was an ex traffic cop of long standing who gave me an interesting piece of info about body language.
He said that when they were following someone in a car of whom they were a bit suspicious they would look out for a 100% giveaway sign that they were uncomfortable or feeling guilty, namely an involuntary scratching of their neck or head -- apparently in times of stress microscopic sweat beads form which are irresistably itchy.
He swore it never failed -- every time they saw a driver scratch his head or neck when being followed theyd pull him and were ALWAYS right.
Since he told me that Ive noticed both with myself and others countless times -- maybe its common knowledge.
The relevance of this?
If youve got Scotsport taped watch McCurry when Levein is giving him pelters on the touchline -- he CANNOT STOP scratching his neck throughout.
My old boss would , quite rightly , have HUCKLED him away in a second.
tlwio
Johnny Mac: Don't know much about it but I guess this would be at the expense of Donati.
I would have hade podium if I knew how to sign in!
Anyway, 1st time poster so look forward to some good debate.
Hail Hail
WGS
From previous thread. Thank you. I too would go for two strikers, budget permitting i would go for Stephen Fletcher of Hibs and Jozy Altidore of New York. Two players who would most likely repay their fee many times over.
As for Ognan.. he looks a player, and if it is for £2m i would say yes please!
Paul
Sorry to hark back to the previous thread but does anyone record the conversation between the ref and his assistant? The tape from Saturday would be worth hearing - it would at least highlight whether or not Mr McCurry has been revisionist in his recall of the how the KEY decisions were taken - could Dundee Utd ask for that tape to be seized and held as evidence?
We need a Deepthroat to help blow this open
VertWolf
the long wait is over: Facial/head and neck touching is a behaviour associated with lying. Was your ex-boss rubbing his nose when he said he was "ALWAYS RIGHT" in pulling guys over? ;)
As an aside before I leave DBBIA hope you enjoy your other teams success tonight. If you get through are you heading down to Wembley?
I'll be honest and say I could not see you doing it but after tonight KTF. Hopefully a wee double for you next week.
Vertwolf: Never use "Deepthroat" and "blow" in the same sentence.
one star means more
no , but he was looking down and to the left and couldnt make eye contact.
thats not significant in anyway , is it??
tlwio
?
Keevins is such an idiot. Talked absolute mince on Scotsport tonight. Obviously a very bitter man where Celtic is concerned. Hugh, take a look at yourself and what you've become.
One Star Means More
ooops - completely innocent no pun intended and I cant delete it = perhaps Paul could edit it for me!
VertWolf
Pat, really had to wake myself up when he said Scott Brown should go and Celtic should sell.
The man is a buffoon of McCurry standards.
the long wait,
I seem to recall reading that looking up and right is what we do when remembering what has happened. The opposite is a tell for constructing a story rather than recalling one!
One Star
"Trying to get a podium on here is like trying to win a penalty at the Deathstar!"
what? when McCurry's the ref!
gordon j
that is 100% true I believe... unless your fingers are crossed behind your back, which cancels all else out.
tlwio
pennypsychologycsc
I think McCurrygate will run and run, especially now that Lorraine Kelly has become involved. Says she feels like a second class citizen. Welcome to the club Lorraine! :)
that was a nice little "ahem , moving swiftly on" from Grant "when will i ever get this hairdo right?" Stott tonight
Ahhh Lorraine Kelly.
The answer to the question - Name someone famous who you fancy but shouldn't
chris sutton
but did you feel that way before she waded in to this debate?! :¬)
tlwio
the long wait
I always had a thing for LK......but never told anyone
my word, CQN is such a cathartic experience!!!
tlwio,
When I read that she had my heart skipped a beat.
southbhoy
Not surprised you didnt tell anyone!
Doesnt float my boat I'm afraid...
might sink it though...
tlwio
CelticRyan: If Keevins says it, you can guarantee Celtic should do the opposite. Isn't it about time that someone phoned in to ask if Keevins still reckoned Artur Jorge would be the next Celtic manager? It's been too long! :)
Horses for courses, if you'll pardon that particular pun
sutton - southbhoy
Never in my darkest moments did I think CQN would be the place I'd be outnumbered 2 to one by LK lurkers...
I'll get me nightcoat.
Night all.
tlwio
With a name like Kelly, she's gotta be one of them there fenians, no?
gotta be pat
Well enough about my guilty pleasures. (Although you have to concede that the internet is the best place to air them)
I'll quickly change the subject to a story my mate told me after we'd played football tonight.
He couldn't go to the game on Sunday as he had a match with his boys club(Rossvale) at Murray Park. He coaches the 00's and 99's.
They went to Murray park and played against the Rangers elite as they're known. Rossvale used only 00's but the coaches for them said they had 4 or 5 99's including their keeper. Gary had no objections so on they played.
The first game was a 20min match and they lost 5-2.
They then played another game and lost 3-2. Again a 20min game.
They decided to play one last game and Rossvale but made it a 10min game. Rossvale where winning 3-1 and then conceded to make it 3-2 with only a minute left. The other team's coach then brought on another 99 who had a considerable height advantage over the other lads. A coach then told Gary to watch out as they would play until they equalised.
The match went on for almost 12mins and then they equalised. Right after it they blew the whistle and the last game ended 3-3.
You can't make this up...
hail hail................ any transfer rumours ?
chris sutton is a legend: Mind-boggling stuff - but why don't I have trouble believing it?
I'm sure one of the reasons people take to Celtic is the notion that we are the idealists against the pragmatists. There is an inherent romance in that and often people see themselves supporting that type of behaviour and feeling better about themselves.
Like when you watch It's a Wonderful Life, you CAN'T want James Stewart's character to lose to the rich old man - you feel that by identifying with the good guy, that you're being a good guy yourself.
At Rangers, there seem to be NO ideals at all. It's just about getting what they want any way and then having no shame about lying about how it was obtained. Your story just epitomises that.
The trouble is, in my opinion, that the values of our society are moving towards admiring the immoral pragmatic view - the "I'd do anything to get on" approach. (We are seeing some of that voiced by Celtic supporters now.)
That is reflected in much of the reality/entertainment shows - more and more of them reward the people who are able to suppress their consciences. Shows like The Apprentice are peppered with people who lie, cheat and back-stab under the euphemism of being "competitive".
This, I fear, has terrible implications for the young people of our country and that kids' football match is just another miserable example.
When did you last hear of the "sporting ethos"? If our young people are not brought up to cherish higher ideals - albeit with harsh lessons along the way - the society those of us remaining are left with will be a savage place.
Sorry if I'm being too philosophical.
rocpoolbhoy,
Not really. Johnny Mac mentioned earlier that Vukojevic has had his Wikipedia entry updated to suggest that Croatian reports are saying he's agreed a deal with us but that could be any prankster and at the minute there's nowt to substantiate it.
One Star Means More,
Don't apologise. I enjoy reading your thoughts on this forum in their entirety.
Modern ideals towards respected values such as sportsmanship may be changing but it still warms the heart to read stories such as the one I read last week.
I'm a bit of a baseball fan and this story was regarding a girls baseball team in America.
A young girl stepped up to the plate with the game on the line in the bottom of the 9th. Her team were behind. A home run was needed. She took the swing and lo and behold it cleared the fences. She'd won the game!
However, on her way round the bases she hurt her leg seriously as she rounded first base. She was in so much pain she couldn't get up. The home run wouldn't count unless she stepped on all four bases. The players on the opposing team didn't think twice. They helped her up. Carried her round the bases and helped her touch each one although it meant them losing the match.
It may only be a small example and meaningless in the grand scheme of things but it's nice to be reminded every once in a while that there are still people and children untainted with our must win at all costs society.
chris sutton is a legend: Your story there just put me in mind of a report of an incident several years ago and, wait for it, Americans were involved.
There was an annual kids' baseball tournament, which the Americans always won. Then one year - big problem - they were beaten - and by Cuba.
The response was to go to the rule book and make changes to the eligibility criteria. These changes were then applied RETROSPECTIVELY leading to the Cubans being disqualified for breaking rules that didn't exist at the time and the tournament being awarded to the USA.
chris sutton is a legend: Thanks - great story. And how SPOOKY is it that we both posted about baseball at the same minute?
Absolutely.
And yet they couldn't be more different.
Paul67
Your like Lennon & McCartney...Number one on Newsnow and you bring out another....
The European Union; an idea initiated by former resistance fighters who thought it would bring an end to the wars that had blighted each generation during the first half of the 20th century...
What comes first they argued...political union, economic union or social union?
Had to be economical.... Not surprisingly...It was the only compromise in town.
As it currently stands it is still economic, a pinch of social, and 'political' only within the private economic sense. The public vote you refer to was taken by the European Parliament. The Parliament has no power and very little influence. It is easily dismissed. It is akin to our Terry O'Neil (nae offence Terry) trying to set the agenda of Clydes phone in.
I have no idea how this will pan out but I do believe Celtic have prepared for any eventuality, and have had the foresight to do so for some time. This could have huge repercussions if it goes through. Whether it does or not will depend on major political players, most importantly the European Commission. This being an appointed, unelected, body of corporate sponsored politicians who meet in private, in camera, with minutes of their meetings not available to anyone, not even Terry, sorry. I mean the Parliament. Well that was how it was when I left...
The European Parliament has manned barricades in the past....
They even went on strike over being ignored.... And yes...You guessed it....Were ignored.
Essentially, it is impotent.
Its Big Business Jim.....
But not as we know it!
PS
Meant to say...The EU is a Big Business playground.... The way it is heading it could put the US in the shade....I suspect this whole process is actually Blatter trying to put up his own barricade....Against the Tide.
The weekend’s events could be the beginning of a paradigm shift in the way the SFA authority is viewed in this our blighted backwater of a football nation.
Previous protests against perceived bias were attributed by the majority of the population and press as mere paranoia from a minority group of people who were seeking excuses for their failings. As such the self serving establishment contained the criticism and any press coverage disappeared as quickly as a shooting star.
In today’s internet age the ingredients are in place for the proverbial Tipping Point much maligned by PJBHOYNYC.
Now it is not just the FEW protesting the sacrificing of football integrity at the altar of Rangers’ supremacy and convenience. They have been joined by a growing number of clubs, fans and officials alike, who are no longer colluding with the connivance that Rangers’ success at anyone’s cost is for the good of the game in Scotland.
Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Gretna, Hearts, Hibernian, Motherwell, St. Mirren, Queen of the South have all recently suffered the financial consequences of Rangers’ desperation to regain their divinely ordained preeminence and domination of the local game. The quiet acceptance of the status quo is being eschewed. Instead voices of protest are rising, perhaps fuelled by the financial losses suffered by games being moved, European qualification being denied and, ironically, by recent ridiculous proclamations that all the other clubs were conspiring against Rangers’ success.
The internet has given us the links to propagate the pictures, comments and frequency of the decisions and “honest mistakes”, overwhelmingly slanted towards a single club, which have permeated the game in Scotland for generations.
Imaginative and memorable articles by Paul67 ensure that it remains prominent and fresh in minds, despite attempts to justify and excuse the bias by the likes of Peat and Smith with the collaboration of a compliant press corps.
As the season winds down, the SFA will no doubt be hoping that events unfolding in Manchester will once more distract us. However, the actions by Dundee United in lodging a protest, Smith and Peat’s intention to punish Levein and the subsequent outcome of the remaining games will bring to the fore the mystery of McCurry’s regular appointments to Rangers’ games. Given the number of controversial decisions against opponents of Rangers, questions have to be asked of the SFA referees’ committee motivation in promoting McCurry as our premier whistler.
It is up to Paul67 and us CQNers to keep this in sharp focus and highlight the lengthy litany of McCurry’s “honest mistakes” not allowing them to be dismissed as paranoia. Only then will we see the possibility of a level playing field and a sport and league with a degree of integrity, for perhaps the first time in the history of Scottish football.
We shall not be moved from our purpose.
‘GG
Mike McCurry, this is for you:
"When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what THAT man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people might think you're a straight shootin' chum
And call you a wonderful guy
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum,
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass."
Paul67 - Hi Paul, I don't get much chance to post these days but still lurk, however your comment on the last thread made me laugh out loud - "think we are some kind of medieval backwater" THINK?
I do know that some people in Scotland are absolutely convinced they're not in medievil times, maybe the 1690's but not medieval :-)
All the best.
Oregonbhoy (from a very civilised 21st. century Korea)
PS: - I don't think Orcs will like this place - at night all you can see are Red crucifixes glowing on top of the churches, and there's lots of them.)
Another McCurry Story
Chicken Chasni?
'GG
Oregonbhoy:
See that globalisation....?
:0)
Canajunbhoy.
A Paragon of Personal Prose.
'GG
Thanks for the namecheck. I LOVED the Malcolm Gladwell book. It gave me plenty of food for thought and productive action. The consequent ubiquity of the phrase among journalists bugged me though. I suppose it was like one of those pieces of music that you think nobody knows, and means so much to you that you feel you kinda own it...
Then it is bastardised in an advert and everybody is humming it much to your own chagrin....Just the infant in me I suppose.
Talking of the abuse and misuse of cultural language......
I think what you have stated is spot on. The thing that I think you ommited, and troubles me, is the shift in language from CL and others where it is no longer "Rangers we are talking about here @ CL" but the broadened geographical definition of 'Glasgow' .... NOW... There is a Tipping Point in Action...
See that OF label........
As someone posted earlier ...It needs to be erased from the Language of the Club. Its the Language of the Haters and Money Makers.
BTW kitalba...
Thanks for the reply the other day/night. Your posts are always agreeable I have found.
Believe in the Three.... And It Will Be
PJB
I haven't read the book. I must make more time between work, my much beloved grand daughter and other family and scouring Celtic cybersites to rediscover the joy of reading regularly.
What I know about the Tipping Point I gleaned from your references to it.
Despite the media obsession binding us to those we seek to cast aside, their attempts are being ignored by the majority of Celtic fans and even club employees are now dropping the phrase.
The big question for me is how Celtic can use this rising tide of discontent to weed out the corruption and cosy coterie of SFA officialdom.
Time for a complete clean out and overhaul.
Time for the incompetence of amateur administrators to be replaced by professional management.
What are our board doing?
'GG
PJB
When I opened your link I immediately laughed and thought of the
Hamlet Cigars Advert
The power of music.
'GG
'GG
I hope the board are working quietly and diligently, have a dossier that is dangerous for one person to lift and are not using the phrase 'cheat'....
That Phrase is a Dead Weight...
Our Tipping Point requires a Lighter Hand.... One not 'Unfit For Purpose'.
BTW Sounds like you have perfect balance with what occupies your time...
Take Care & Goodnight.... My reading time is up ... Family & Work are a calling for me too...
'GG
Classic.... Subliminal Indeed. Beautiful music that makes you reach for a non existent lighter..
Another classic is Dvorak's Wew World symphony....He wrote after visiting NYC.... Strangely I think of somewhere and something else completely I knew the ad first...
Toast....or....Rollin in to Bed....Hmmmm
Another great article Paul (the Caesar's wife one...).
There's no reference to any conversation between the ref and linesman in relation to the penalty incident. Why not? If his view was obscured would he not consult with the linesman? Not that it would have done much good as said linesman clearly could not discern what was going on on the park at any given point (see his comment re the shot striking Robertson). So many questions to which there will be no answers.
Would be accept them winning the Uefa if it meant we won the league? It doesn't work that way but what an unpleasant hypothetical. Like that old Rangers v England one...
Anyone in Oz know if Cesar is heading down to Melbourne on his trip?
Paul you are correct in saying there is something beyond the normal moans and groans about some dodgy refereeing decisions going on just now. The problem is however that the backlash is against the OF. Both clubs are seen by the other SPL members as equal beneficiaries when it comes to refereeing decisions going wrongly in their favour. Witness Eddie Thomson's eagerness to bring Celtic and Skippy into the argument on Saturday. Round messageboards just now the berdeen disallowed goal is being quoted as just one recent example of referees favouring both sides of the OF. No one knows, or cares, about players stopping or Samaras' disallowed goal. The charge is OF favouritism and Celtic are seen as equally guilty. We all need to do what we can in the current climate to try and ensure there is at least a debate about this issue.
GREAT TO BE A TIM - TODAY, TOMORROW, ALWAYS
Hail Hail
WG
Morning Auld Yin, howzit?
Ulryc
Ideed Mr G !
pablophanque
Anyone read the article by Mr Spiers on where Watty stands amongst Scotlands finest managers? Apparently he is chasing an " unprecedednted" FOUR trophies. UNPRECEDENTED by the way. I'm off to find that beautiful collection of FIVE coins my Late Father bought as a keeps sake from 1967. Can't believe my dad would make something like that up..........
Has it escaped the attention of the media that in 1967 the lions won every competition that they entered.They didn't get kicked out of the premier European competion, no they won it.
Am I just being paranoid again?
didn't even look at the metro this morning on the way into work...
Giorgios Samaras for £2.5-3m or Stephen Fletcher? Both are link men, best playing off a main striker, much as i like Samaras and think he would be a good permanent addition, think Fletcher is a better all round player. Fletcher can also play wide in front 3.
Regarding players. I believe a goalkeeper will be the highest priority. No more bricklayers or championship standard keepers. No, class must be replaced with class. God I hope I am wrong, I would love to see the team built around the likes of Mcgeady Boruc and Naka but we live next door to the big scene where the bounty is in abundance.
Every player has a price we all know that but I do hope Celtic make it clear that it will cost dearly to tempt us to sell our prized possesions.
A left back would therefore become second in importance, followed by a centre half and then a striker. WGS, if he stays, has got more midfielders on the books than you could shake a stick with, he will just have to get on with it in that area of the pitc, IMO.
Regarding McCurry he was a cheat on Saturday, one before that and still is IMO, its in his makeup.
Scenario:. Somewhere in the future in a city called Glasgow. Date: 14/05/08. Time 0500 hours.
Senga, Billy have you packed yet doll. Aye hen thats me ready aye ready at that. Check 1 pair union jack underpants, check, 1 pair red hand socks, check, one her royal majesty`s t-shirt, check, 1 pair union jack three quarter length size 42 shorts, check, 24 cans calley special, check, 6 bottles buckie, check, 1 union flag check, forged tickets, check, words to the billy boys and the famine song, check, weans piggy bank money, check, provi, loan money, check,thats me ready doll.
Billy, Senga you packed and aye ready doll, Senga ahll just share yourze stuff billy. Manchester here we come hello hello.
I haven't seen anyone comment on the disallowed goal against Hibs on Sunday.
Having watched the game on Celtic Tv last night I have to say it was one of the most disgraceful decisions made all season.
When Samaras hits the shot, McDonald is 5 YARDS onside.
He nips in and scores from the rebound, ruled offside.
If rangers draw one match and we beat Dundee Utd, it will be all down to goal difference.
They have a soft game against St.Mirren.
We need all the goals we can get.
That decision and the decision not to award us a penalty against the sheep when we humped them earlier in the year may well cost us the league.
Just texted a hun aquaintence "Thats me hit the M6 already"
10mins later he excitedly texted me back with the response "Is it busy, I'm not leaving til tomorrow?"
My response "Dont know what its like now, I'm on the M74 now. Couldn't wait to get out of there. The place is full of huns"
Strangely enough he hasn't responded to that one
Paul67. As Henry II said "Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?" If good King 'Enry was around Sunday he would sure revise his well known quote from Priest to Minister.
Anyway Paul67 , if I knew anyone at Celtic Park I would fly a kite of sorts. I would suggest our troublesome whores et could indeed be clipped . It is a trifle Machiavellian. I think The Good Doctor or DD should call Brian Cowen the Irish PM. Could go like this, "Brian if you have not heard there is a new virulent Anti-Irish movement taking deep root in Scotland". "It's vanguard has infiltrated Rangers FC and is openly signing repulsive and hate mongering songs about repatriation and the historic hardships of "The Famine""
"I wanted to make sure you were aware of the deteriorating situation and growing ill will towards the Irish and their descendants here in Scotland".
"Perhaps you should discuss with Gordon and / or the First Minister, ask them what they have heard and what if anything is being done". "Have the local FA addressed in anyway"? See where it goes.
John Colquhoun - LEGEND. If you've not seen Scotsport last night you've got to try to see it. JC came as close to anyone I've ever seen in the Scottish Media to calling referees in this country cheats. Shame on Andy Walker for trying to pressurise him into changing his mind.
Sack Duffield - JC is the man to take Scottish football forward and out of the dark ages !
PJBhoynyc, maybe I’m amazed.
‘GG, the point about the historical resource available on the Internet is valid, it makes building an argument much easier.
Oregonbhoy, enjoy Korea.
Holahoops, truth is McCurry had plenty of opportunity to get the decisions right.
Andycol, I’m not to bothered about what Eddie Thomson has said, let’s get it all out in the open.
San_Frantic, I cannot see anyone in Scotland flushing this one out. The last purge came from Uefa who will surely be left to carry out the next one. Perhaps this week.
I wonder if The Sun will carry articles based on YouTube videos this week, or perhaps that is just for Celtic fans?
UK Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe is quoted today as saying that a zero-tolerance approach would be taken to any Zenit St Petersburg fans who are found to be guilty of racially abusing black players at the final on Wednesday:
"I've raised this issue with Vernon Coaker, the Home Office minister, and my message to Zenit fans is simple: come here to enjoy the game and you'll be welcomed with open arms. Come here and racially abuse black players and you will feel the full force of the law."
I have emailed Mr Sutcliffe this morning welcoming such a strong response and also asking him to clarify if he would take a similar view and course of action against any fans found to be abusing people of Irish descent living in the UK.
While I sympathise with San_Frantic and the policy he suggests, I think it would be even better if we challenged directly the nabobs like Gordon Smith, who have tried to defend the indefensible. It saddens me that people like Spiers who has criticised the establishment in the past now seems to be content to coorie in to the team he supported as a boy. Any journalist worth their salt should be following up on the corruption (and the bias it feeds on) that is endemic in Scottish football. McCurry is only the tip of the iceberg. Plenty of evidence was published on this site yesterday. We have had to put up with it for years (and we have; don't let that nonsense of the o'' f''' fool you; only r...... have benefitted from the tag) and have been patted on the head and called paranoid for our trouble.
LET US LANCE THIS BOIL NOW...
Madra Rua - I saw the 'offside' goal last night and really couldn't believe it. McDonald barely strays offside in the entire move (even when he celebrates he is onside!). When Samaras shoots he is in line with the SECOND LAST defender. If it comes down to goal difference that could be a huge blow.
Paul - I like the idea of having a minimum number of home grown players instead of this hair brained limit on foreign players. Blatter has been banging on about this for years despite it being painfully obvious that the EU will never allow limits on the basis of nationality. However, if we have set quotas for the amount of purchased players compared to homegrown players we may see even more bartering over 15 and 16 year old players which just seems plain wrong. No solution is without its problems unfortunately.
As for the weekend's games I haven't posted since as it is hard to expand on the points everyone has already made. We all said last week that the refusal to extend the season would be balanced out by appointing McCurry to their most difficult game and that proved to be the case.
The scheduling of the remaining games does make an absolute mockery of the SPL. Why couldn't Dignity FC have played games in advance back in March or April if they wanted to focus on the UEFA Cup. Why couldn't they have played the Scottish Cup replay against Partick on a Monday night with a second string side before one of their European ties.
The answer - because this is Rangers and, as ever, they wanted their cake and plenty time to eat it all. They have been given additional time to play their league games to help both their league challenge and their quest to win the Scottish Cup against First Division opposition.
Motherwell/ST Mirren/AberdeenCSC
Craiginho
Holahoops :- If I can answer your question from a different angle. I would not be happy if Celtic win the league but if given the choice I'd accept that if it meant Rangers winning tomorrow night.
Why does Scotsport intentionaly leave out Celtic goals. Mc Donalds second on sunday not even discussed. Samaras 2 against Aberdeen not even discussed?
Kittochbhoy
Decisions that go against Celtic don't fit in with the agenda. With all respect to Dundee United, and I admire Craig Levin for standing up to the shameful refereeing of McCurry, the Scott McDonald "goal" and the Gary Caldwell "penalty appeal" were equally as bad decisions as the two that went against Dundee United.
It's amazing the amount of press coverage given to decisions that benefit Celtic.
kittochbhoy,
have you been watching ??
discussions over the past couple of days should surely have given you a clue as to why the establishment refuse equal opportunity. It is a racist bigoted little backwater supported by spineless sympathisers who at most will pay lip service to the ideals of equality, whilst financing/propagating the atrocity.
I would gladly accept Rangers winning the 17th / 18th place playoff tomorrow night if it meant we won the league.
Gary Caldwell expressed the perfect sentiment when asked if he was jealous of Rangers exploits, as follows -
'Why would we be jealous, our target was to qualify from our Champions League group - if you do that, you can't enter the UEFA Cup.'
No sour grapes but in all honesty, the UEFA Cup won't even exist in 10 years time.
Paul and GG,
It is not only the resources that will make the difference, but the new tools for research. I particularly like Google’s experimental timeline search
The rise of the semantic web will make it harder for individuals and institutions to hide from their past. The laptop loyal will find it harder and more expensive to manage their master’s reputation. However while the technology and processes are settling down it will be easier to damage other people.
Celtic must be on top of this before it happens. I have always praised their foresight in inviting a Blogger to their press conferences; in years to come it will be viewed with the significance of Jock Stein's decision to produce a club periodical. An act that was soon copied by every club in Britain. I hope that vision continues.
Therags...
Can anyone confirm if McCurry requested to officiate at the game on Saturday (per Bobby Tait) - if the SFA granted a request for a ref who already has officiated at most(?) of TFOD's home games this season and has had complaints made against him by more than one team in the league, why would they grant this?
Not sure if Dundee Utd have asked the SFA to confirm that or not already.
Just a thought on the Noel Hunt situation (racist songs) - it may be an idea for players in future to mention this to the ref at the time so that he HAS to include it in his match report. Mind you, you might end up getting booked if it's the biased baptist.
"Celtic Plc. have been included in recent statements alleging bias in favour of the club from refereeing decisions.
Celtic Plc. reject these allegations and fully backs the integrity of all referees who have officiated all matches this season.
Celtic Plc. would welcome and encourage a detailed and public independent review of all SPL matches played by all teams this season, in order to demonstrate that neither Celtic, or any other team, are receiving an unfair advantage.
Celtic Plc. do not wish to receive any uncompetitive advantage as this would fundamentally devalue any success achieved."
Can anybody see any problems with this suggested statement (apart from the poor writing style and grammar).
I doubt a review would be feasible but that is not really to point of the statement.
First timer by the way. Cheers!
"Celtic Plc. do not wish to receive any uncompetitive advantage as this would fundamentally devalue any success achieved."
I like it!
Similar to PL's statement about "sporting integrity" which shut the door on any further league extension.
Always like to peruse the football-rumors site to look at the insane ramblings of morinic fans all over the UK.
There seem to be several trends involing Celtic and Rangers.
Celtic - fans want WGS to leave. Idiots, he is a quality manager and coach, with a fantastic record and will have learned lessons from this season come what may. Would the likes of O'Leary, Mowbray be any better? NO.
Rangers - fans seem to think they will spend lots of money. Despite their UEFA cup run, they just about broke even untill January, omitting their debt figure which we can safely presume rose over those 6 months. Rangers are still in a peralous financial position and are in no position to keep their most valuble assets who will get sold if the right offer comes in. Be suprised if Cuellar has no clause in his contract.
These are of course the minority of support, but i am suprised at how these "facts" percolate throughout the general mass of support, when they are quite clearly ridiculous.
Bear Trek starts to Manchester, is this some sort of commerative orange t-shirts because Dick Advocaat is in opposition?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7396376.stm
Or the classic, 'Zenit fans warned over Racist Behaviour'! Awesome, it really is!
I really, really don't want them to win the UEFA Cup as it would be the biggest achievement in their history. The Cup Winners Cup is now defunct and the UEFA Cup winners have historically been of a much higher pedigree despite past views of both competitions. (Porto and Liverpool among recent winners).
That being said, there can be little doubt that the competition is much weaker than when we reached the final only 5 years ago. We beat two English teams and one Spanish team to reach the final. We lost the final to the following season's Champions League winners. Rangers have yet to face a team of Liverpool or Porto standards.
Since Valncia won it in 2004 the tournament has taken a slide. Teams don't want to compete in its latter stages as they don't want to risk losing out on Champions League qualification through their league. Bolton sacrificed it to benefit their relegation battle.
There is no point in belittling the tournament though, as I would be delighted if Celtic won it. All we can do to console ourselves is that they are the third Scottish team to reach the final and have the easiest opposition of the three finals. Gothenburg won the tournament 5 years previous to Utd and Porto had a once in a lifetime team and manager. Zenit are European newcomers.
But the biggest comfort of them all is knowing that when the Champions League trophy is engraved with the name of Man Utd or Chelsea, the name of my team appears before either of them. To quote some my Jambo mates "Wee team, wee cup. Big team, big cup"
Craiginho (SourgrapesCSC)
Craiginho :- Rangers sites tend to put a slightly different spin on the quality of the UEFA cup as you can imagine, though five years ago the positions were reversed with Rangers fans denigrating the tournemant and Celtic fans talking it up. I'm like you, winning any European trophy is an acheivement, though even if we do win I'm sure I'll be reminded forever that it is isn't the big one :-)
This is lifted from another site and shows how spin can be used and facts arranged to suit the case you (not you personally) are trying to present.
Celtic 2002-2003 (2nd in league, 0 trophies, squad worth tens of millions including Henrik, petrov, thompson ,sutton and hartson and so on
Rnd 2: Blackburn (6th in league, 15th following season)
Rnd 3: Celta Vigo (4th in league, relegated following season)
Rnd 4: Stuttgart (2nd in league)
QF: Liverpool (5th in league)
SF: Boavista (10th in league)
Rangers 2007-2008 (CIS cup and counting, squad roughly 15mil including Broadfoot):
Rnd of 32: Panathanikos (3rd in league)
Rnd of 16: Werder Bremen (2nd in league)
QF: Sporting Lisbon (2nd in league)
SF: Fiorentina (5th in league)" league positions as of today
Ed are you suggesting Broadfoot may actually have a negative value?
C'mon the Zenit!!!
Also
Be Like The Bhoys!!!
jimbo 9.21am
I have also emailed Gerry Sutcliffe MP regarding his comments about racial abuse at the UEFA Cup Final. His email address is
'sutcliffeg@parliament.uk'
It would be insane if the Plc released any kind of statement regarding refereeing decisions right now, and thankfully they're not insane. If any of you believe for one second that there haven't been bad decisions that have won us games you're absolutely deluded, and they would immediately be highlighted if the board were to make such a move.
As it stands I think McCurry is the only ref with a concrete track record of favouring one team alone, and even then examples are having to be taken from several season's ago.
The only time the club should make a comment about a referee is directly after a game where we have been severely disadvantaged by a poor decisions. It would be ridiculous to go anywhere near the issue otherwise.
Weeminger :- While I wouldn't like to say so he does come pretty close to it :-)
Holahoops
There could be no communication problem as the officials all had headsets on.
Welcome ImJustAPoorBhoy, scaramouche (sp).
Craiginho, indeed.
Picture this -
15 mins gone - Zenit 2 Them 0
McCurry - Nowhere to be seen!
Linesman - Doesn't even know where Larkhall is!
Commentator "Rangers have to open up and go for it. Really show their attacking prowess and ability to play forward thinking football"
Carlsberg don't do UEFA cup final's
But they do sponsor them!
Living in hope. Hail Hail.
Hail, hail,
In all this discussion about referees and mistakes, bias etc, I haven't heard anybody suggest full-time officials.
Most of the MIB have other jobs, mainly in the professions.
Although the SFA have regular workshops and training for officials, why don't they bite the bullet and fund full-time positions for these jobs, certainly for the SPL and cup competitions?
I don't know if it's happened anywhere else in the world, but given the amount of money at stake for football clubs, I don't think it's too much to ask for full-time people making decisions.
It would also allow transparency and sanctions for poor refereeing performances.
We expect top-flite footballers to be full-time, so why not the officials
If you run a multi-million pound business, you don't let the weekend part-time staff to make big decisions, do you?
And bring in video refs, like cricket and rugby, while they're at it.
STANDING UP..fair enough, there are flaws in this, but come on, let's get into the 21st Century
Urgent meeting
I've had an idea....what about we get all the celtic fans and anti-orcs together tomorrow night at around 7.45pm and rebuild Hadrian's wall - I suggest we make it at least 300 feet high....
We could hang signs on the English side saying "Famine Zone - Do not enter under any circumstances".
On our Scottish side we could hang signs saying "please do not feed the bears"..
I reckon the would solve the west of scotland bigotry problem in 1 night...
If anyone would like to nominate me for the Nobel Peace Prize... feel free
"Football is a game played by people and people can make mistakes. It is always frustrating when decisions go against you - but this has been a part of football since the game started. We rely on our referees to make decisions in a split second and without the benefit of countless replays. I think that it is extremely sad that an honest, dedicated professional has been treated in this way."
Those are the words of a SFA employee by the name of Gordon Smith. I wonder who joined them up into sentences for him.
Now, I would have thought it was his responsibility, as the SFA CEO, to ensure the competence of these honest and dedicated professionals, employed within his remit. If their, the honest and professional referees, abilities are not equal to the task required of them, they should be relieved of their duties immediately. Failure to do so by SFA office holders is tantamount to negligence. Several precedence’s exist in several countries other than Scotland.
Out with Scotland, if an official, an umpire, or a referee, repeatedly displays incompetence he is often demoted to a lower standard; in some instances completely removed from the field where they can do most harm.
Gordon Smith has a duty to ensure that all Scottish Football Supporters get what they paid for.
They pay their hard earned money and they are entitled to watch a game of football devoid of personal bias. A game of football played between two teams, officiated by honest, dedicated, professional and competent referees. Referees, who have the courage of their convictions to actually call it as they actually see it.
Those supporters of all those clubs around Scotland pay their hard earned money in good faith and the hope that they might see their own team win. It is hard to take when your team gets beaten; it is even harder to stomach when your support and good faith is squashed in contempt.
Every football supporter in Scotland should have his good faith reciprocated in equal measure at least.
Every genuine football supporter in Scotland should not be advocating change… they should be demanding it.
Every football supporter in Scotland should not be rewarded in their support of the national game with transparent integrity and accountability by those acting on their behalf. They should enjoy that as a given and more so too.
After all, it is your hard earned cash that pays to get your own face smacked. Without your coin - there is no Football League. Not as we would like to know it anyway.
Every clubs supporters, Aberdeen, both Dundee’s, Clyde, Falkirk, Hearts, Hibs, all clubs supporters should be up in arms demanding that they get what they pay for.
I don’t care if you don’t like my club. As long as you share my desire to have our national game played, week in and week out, with each and every team subjected to the same set of standards as is written in sporting morals and the rule book.
In my opinion, every football supporter in Scotland is having his good faith, his sporting intellect and his battered wallet, grievously mugged by those in power with an agenda. And that agenda is most definitely not to the betterment of Celtic Football Club.
Say what you want about the likes of Dick Turpin at least he had the decency to wear a mask. Those who are mugging us all, week in and week out, in their contempt for all other Scottish football clubs, do not feel need for even that most basic disguise
Other football supporters not of my team (Celtic), may, or may not, be of the mind that Celtic benefit from refereeing decisions which are to their own team’s detriment. I can’t tell you how to think, nor can I tell you what to opine; but I will tell you this: every one of your concerns is mirrored in the minds of every Celtic Supporter. The equality and integrity of our national leagues is all we want. We share your concerns. We would welcome the introduction of referees not of this land. We crave a level playing field, just like you guys.
The only way we are going to achieve this is if we each and every one of us… talk. Discuss the problems at work, on the buses, in the pub. Where ever like minded, (irrespective of which team they support), football supporters meet they should be talking about how the rules of our national game are being prostituted, and we, each and every one of us, are being financially and intellectually raped, so as one team and one team only, gains.
In my most humble opinion Gordon Smith, you and your fellow office holders are not upholding your side of the contract.
No business can survive without ‘good faith’ and its mutual appreciation of all parties concerned You appear incapable of understanding, far less respecting, the concept and implementation of good faith.
The people you appoint to officiate are being proved incompetent in the least and your inaction to redress this problem does not inspire confidence in your ability to administrate and operate without bias.
To my mind, you sir - are also incompetent. You sir, should clear your desk right this minute; call security and have them escort you from the premises relieving you of the company credit card and company car keys (paid for by Scottish Football Supporters) as they, the guards show you the cold side of the door.
Not to resign Gordon would not be in the best interest of Scottish Football or Rangers Football Club, because this time Gordon, the product of your incompetence has had his ineptness shamefully shown and replayed on national TV channels all around the globe.
People are most definitely laughing at individuals in Scotland Gordon and most of those are engaged in incompetence under the same roof as you. Don’t be fooled dear Gordon, they are not laughing with you, they are falling about, creased up and laughing at you.
My opinion of you Sir is that you are a morally and ethically bankrupted Grub. You should pack your bags and go before the Genuine Supporters of Scottish Football Supporters are forced to show you, and all your incompetent associates, the door.
It is no longer a case of ‘Our day will come’, the pendulum is on its downward arc and it is fast approaching the day your time will come. Some of that might just be spent the wrong side of the bar too.
Am I angry… you better believe it. I am angry for Craig Levein; I am angry for Dundee United; I am angry at the poisonous erosion of our national game; I am angry that Celtic Football Club is inexplicably being tarred with the same brush of shame as those others more deserving.
I am angry that I am even writing these words. Why am I doing it.
Simple really.
Too many others just can’t be bothered.
Craig Levein, Dundee United, you dared to speak the truth. For that you have my gratitude, my admiration and my support. As a football supporter first and as a Celtic Supporter second.
If you do start a legal fund… I will get my contribution to you. That is a promise from one Football Supporter to one Football Manager.
Good Luck Craig Levein. Good Luck Dundee United. Somehow I think you just might need it.
Inkybhoy:
"If you run a multi-million pound business, you don't let the weekend part-time staff to make big decisions, do you?"
Brilliant analogy and sums up the problem with officiating.
I would also like to see microphones on the referees so that when they explain their decisions to the players, everyone in the crowd can here it. This means that all discussions between officials are recorded and backtracking can't be done. If players are aware of this some might be less willing to get involved in a shouting and cursing match with the officials.
Ed Ursus,
I just want to acknowledge what a fantastic achievement it is for Rangers to reach the cup final. In my mind they have beaten some good quality teams on the way. I remember how excited I was in reaching and going to the Seville final. If you could bottle the feeling! Even losing the final whilst gutting was not enough to spoil the special feeling that been involved in such a showpiece brings to you.
I cannot not wish you luck as It would be totally dishonest of me. I actually hope you get pumped! I am depending on it.
However I happen to know some very decent people who are misguided enough to support your team and for this moment I am laying down my dueling weapons and recalling the wonderful experience that was Seville. I hope you enjoy Manchester as much.....and with the same end result :)
Mort
Microphones are worn by rugby refs. During the rugby world cup final, you can hear what refs say to players and their explanations of decisions.
Your right, it would be interesting to see how it modified dissent
Works for me.
STANDING UP..although you would also hear refs congratulating Rangers players on goals more clearly
Walter has a hissy fit......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR9BbiLNbJ4
Corrib04 :- To me your post sums up the good bits of the rivalry that exists in football. My last post was because I found it quite amusing that comments 5 year ago on Rangers sites were a mirror image of many comments made by Celtic fans this year. Perhaps we are all a lot more alike than many care to admit.
Am i the only one who is sick to his stomach at how well the darnel are doing.
The talk of conspiracies and ill treatment isn't working for me today.
They are on the verge of the best season ever in their history and it is hurting like hell.
Unlike thismancraig sentiments,i feel that ,they can have the treble.
It will hurt me much,much ,more of they win the UEFA cup.
My greatest high as a Celtic fan was reaching that final and going to Seville.
I was too young for Lisbon.
If they win it, my highest point will have been usurped.
Dear God,please do not do this to me.
Just in from a furtive mission into sunny Manchester city centre(was out for a few messages). Thank the Lord, there is quiet all round so far. In fact, little evidence of EU's mob at all. Very, very unlike Seville, in fact. Let's hope it stays like that, although I doubt it.
I'm confused by the colours here. Are these guys from Dubai off to support Dundee Utd in their last league game against Celtic? I think we should be told.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7396376.stm
I wonder if anti-Irish/Catholic racism is included?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7397379.stm
BBC TV news reported that Manchester police were concerned about Russian hooligans and then showed a snippet of an interview with the chief of police saying he is not worried about hooliganism.
To end the story the BBC repeated the claim that the police are worried about Russian hooligans.
DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE - BELIEVE WHAT WE TELL YOU TO BELIEVE