The entire football world should be delighted at the arrests of six Fifa executives in Switzerland this morning on warrants requested by US prosecutors. Fifa has successfully resisted reform, actively opposed transparency and supressed reports into corruption at the top of the world’s most lucrative sport.
No one will be surprised that president, Sepp Blatter, who was not one of the six arrested today, is deaf to calls for accountability at the top. He plans to stand in Friday’s election, no doubt keen to guide the Federation through its dealings with law enforcement agencies. Those arrested have yet to be charged with any crime, never mind successfully prosecuted, so Blatter has plausible deniability of wrongdoing on the part of Fifa, but under any properly constituted organisation he would step aside to let fresh blood reinvigorate the game.
The news that Swiss police are investigating the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process is even more welcome than the arrests. This investigation is separate to that being carried out by US authorities and may ultimately be more pivotal in freeing the game from the grasp of bribery and corruption.
Mike Ashley is getting his Rangers International PLC (RIPLC) General Meeting, on 12 June, at which, the directors of Rangers International PLC have decided to titillate shareholders with details of Rangers Retail Limited’s shareholders agreement, between the club and Ashley, although they note this agreement is subject to confidentiality agreements – and details appear to have been leaked today.
In an eye catching move, the directors of RIPLC are considering disapplying voting rights of shareholders who hold shares in other football clubs, in this case, Mike Ashley, who owns Newcastle United.
It’s worth saying this remains no more than bluster for now. They are “considering” disapplying rights and will lay out a “timetable for presenting a resolution for shareholders’ consideration”. I cannot believe they would be so self-harming that they would actually try to remove Ashley’s voting rights. Mike has the resources to destroy them in court, and it’s a tad futile to risk enormous legal consequences to disenfranchise someone when you and your supporters control the majority of shares. Ashley could easily circumnavigate any such act, should is be successful, but selling his shares to a trusted third party.
As such this element of the debate is futile, not even King is stupid enough to waste time and energy on it. He would lose heavily, and even if he won, Ashley would accommodate the outcome without breaking sweat. This is some tough talking but I’d like to see them try it (I genuinely would).
Two resolutions are proposed: the first by Ashley, that his £5m loan is repaid “as soon as possible”, in return for the release of security over RIPLC’s intellectual property, Murray Park, Albion Car Park and Edmiston House. Ashley is happy to hand this back, he’s a retailer, retail rights are what he’s interested in.
The second, proposed by the board, asks for shareholder approval to demand all of the club’s relationships with Sports Direct group companies, the loan, securities and the lucrative retail rights, are “renegotiated on a basis that is fair and reasonable”.
Here we get to the crux of the matter. Dave King told us months ago that Mike Ashley was a businessman, and that he would recognise the hand King dealt him and fold. The contrary view is that Mike Ashley is a businessman who will not be dictated to.
There’s a scene in Groundhog Day when lead character Phil, realising he can act without consequences, as even after death he’d pop up the next day as though nothing happened, drives onto a railway track.
Nodding to the oncoming train he says “I bet he’s going to swerve first”. Mike Ashley is the oncoming train. Trains don’t swerve. Groundhog Day looks increasingly likely, 06:00 will strike with an away day at Brechin under a provisional membership.
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Morning all and a happy Wednesday.
Bored of the close season already. Oh, hello summer, what’s that you say? Mrs Aipple has a list of chores for me?
FIFA corrupt, who knew?
Confused by the FIFA corruption news? John Oliver explained it last year
http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/27/8665593/fifa-corruption-john-oliver-explains
A day to remember.
On this day (27th May) in 1899 The Rangers Football Club (company number SC004276) was incorporated. On the 31st July 2012 the name was changed to RFC 2012 P.L.C.
The current status of the club incorporated on this day in 1899 is “Liquidation”.
Hunoora Matata!
Finageling institute found atit
bognorbhoy :o)
Morning Paul, a lot to get energized about today.
HH
Aipple
Got to love John Oliver.
Are you in NYC perchance?
Ahaha HAH HA HA HA HA ha ah HA HA ah HA aha haha haha ha
HAHAHAHA haha HA HAHAHAH HA HA HA HA haha ha ha ha HAHA HA
The excitement of today’s revelations in Switserland in palpable on here today.
To the point I can touch it.
HAHAHAHA haha HA HAHAHAH HA HA HA HA haha ha ha ha HAHA HA
Aha HAha ha HA HA ha ha HA aha aha ahha haha haha hah aha ha ha
Corruption and CorrupHun are to completely sepearte things.
They sound the same but one is sworn on a firm grip and strong resolve.
This may be the slowest start to the blog I’ve seen.
All my yank friends that dinnae understand the game of soccer ball and think it’s nonsense will take note now! No, wait. How embarrassing. We so need this and Qatar should be scrapped.
We signed anyone yet? Sheesh.
rwe –
I wish, go there often but in Kentucky right now. John Oliver is indeed one of the best here or the old country.
The slowest top ten ever.
WK67
Having a look at the new magazine over lunch in Carlingford, County Louth. A lovely spot.
If anyone is thinking of driving and taking the ferry next year, Carlingford is a great spot to stop over.
About an hour from Belfast Harbour and an hour from Dublin.
Ahaha hah aha haha hah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ha hah ah ah HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHA
Talk about unswerving trains.
You have never met an unsinkable rowing boat yet!
The arrests at FIFA are the SWIFT and TERRIBLE revenge of the Unseen Fenian Hand after last weekend’s FIFA article arguing Sevco=Rangers(IL).
Some newclub supporters will actually believe this.
JCGE..
Every day,remind the sevcovians of the lie they lead with the SMSM
HH
FIFA spokesman, Campbellisimo D’Ogilvinho, states that
“FIFA have instructed a senior legal expert to chair an independent enquiry to examine all of the issues and that no stone will not be left unturned in our zeal to establish if in fact that beneath whitewash there is only more whitewash.”
Source: AP, Zurich.
“In an eye catching move, the directors of RIPLC”
———–
Genuine mistake,Paul? :-)
I see the Flying Pig state he would rather play six games in quick succession, rather than be idle.
He has a short memory.
extendtheseasoncsc
Tom
From previous….I bought his book a few years back and some of the tactics that went on to prevent him from getting answers beggers belief. Loaned the book to a work mate…..He left……never seen the book again !
jamesgang
12:21 on 27 May, 2015
KevJ is the stone, I take it :)
Clogher Celt
Wife and daughter are heading out to County Louth next week for a few days to visit friends who live near Carlingford.
Cant remember the name of the place, need to ask as I have never been.
They are flying to Dublin from Glasgow on Tuesday, then getting the bus to Newry where they will be picked up.
I’m dead jealous!
HH!!
It’s the EKFC AGM this week.
Taking my lead from elsewhere, I’ve tabled a resolution calling on the Board to do everything within its power to facilitate improved weather in East Kilbride during the playing season, particularly the October-April period.
Just seen a bhoy in hoops on bognor seafront …
Gave him a very loud ….up the tic
HH
Good stuff Paul.
I see the SFA has – without a hint of irony – released a statement on FIFA, calling for Blatter to step aside and for reform to take place.
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=1961&newsCategoryID=3&newsID=14830
With regard to the Sevco EGM, the threat to disenfranchise Ashley is absolutely hilarious. And I suspect the anti-Ashley rhetoric will only intensify before the meeting.
Hopefully Ashley will keep playing hardball with them…
Here are my thoughts on the EGM, and Sports Direct’s rolling 7-year contract with Sevco, should anyone be interested!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/05/27/rollin-rollin-trollin
Enjoy the rest of the day!
TBB- take your suggestion to the ole Jobo-Board.
He’s been found to be a fit and proper to be in charge of the ole clouds over G74.
Clogher Celt
Have you ever had the pleasure of dining in Fitzpatricks in Rockmarshall ? Possibly the finest food I have ever had !
From final episode of House of Cards, which seems entirely FIFA-fitting …we hope
JJ Grey and Mofro…”The Sun is Shining Down”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=344u6uK9qeQ
Doug Stamper CSC
Oh, and as FIFA are in the news for all the wrong reasons, here’s a plug for my recent piece demolishing the ridiculous assertion that a FIFA commentary on a magazine article somehow makes Sevco the same club as dead Rangers!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/definitively-pish/
Jooost sunning myself in Bognor when some choob shouted-up ye,ya dick!
What’s the world coming to?
BMCUW
Sunning yerself in Bognor!
Bugger that!
Nae decent pubs?!
HH!!
No sun in G3
Is summer cancelled like the next 2 world cups 8))
KevJungle
09:00 on
27 May, 2015
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
____________________
I dont got to the AGM’s etc…but, I do know that when, Celtic were in cahoots with Paul McBride QC(RIP)…in the public gaze….fighting the fight for some sort of justice for then, Celtic manager – Neil Lennon….in the background….away from the public gaze….Celtic’s directors and, PM were sleekitly connecting the components of an act, to be rushed through the Scottish Parliment purely designed to…’SMASH’ the Green Brigade!
Can you provide evidence of this assertion?
BMCUWP
But…and here is the indelicate question…..
Were you wearing speedos or a thong?
Have bognortastic time…:o)
HH
Watch the clamour for Engerland to get the 2018/22 World Cup,to be honest,why a major football country like that ,hasn’t had it since ’66 is strange IMO
!!Bada Bing!!
Agreed. Dunno how the Aussies have never had it either.
LB
macjay1 for neil lennon
13:45 on 27 May, 2015
Aaaarrrhhhh, you took the bait……. :)
RWE
Neither. An iPod.
Oooops,might have been a certain Brighton beach. iPod disnae do satnav. Clever wee thing all the same.
DBBIA @ 10:09 and South of Tunis @ 10:38
Thansk for the heads up about the radio program. Sounds brilliant.
For me, the single greatest piece of music is Billie Holliday singing Strange Fruit… more emotion in one note of that song than most singers can muster in an entire career …. just a shame it is about something so sad …
it just edges out Pavarotti singing Panis Angelicus …. a voice from God singing about food from God …
Otherwise, in an off-the -cuff top 10
3. Gymnopedie No.1 by Eric Satie …. when you hear it, you feel like you are sitting in a pied a terre in Paris, drinking a coffee while the suns stream through the window…. can be heard as sad or happy, depending on the mood of the listener
4. Pachabel’s Canon …. for me, no other music is so full of joy ….
then it gets tough…. who to leave out? Otis? gonna have to think about the rest ….