I enjoy Roddy Forsyth’s articles and broadcasts but I’m staggered at today’s article in The Telegraph. The initial headline read “Scottish clubs fear bankruptcy if Rangers are stripped of titles for tax avoidance”, but was amended to “SPL (sic.) clubs fear they will be hurt financially themselves if Rangers stripped of titles”.
Justification for this claim lies with the fact that clubs who lost a cup final to Rangers during their tax evasion (not avoidance) era, may have to pay a win bonus to players, which would be enough to tip them into bankruptcy.
These clubs would, we are told, prefer to sit tight as runners up, than be awarded a cup win. One chairman told Roddy, “Celtic might be able to afford that but nobody else could”.
Nobody else could afford a win bonus, so let’s not impose the unwelcome burden of winning on them! Consider what that makes supporters of these clubs!
Another chairman told Roddy, “my view is that the EBT scheme was questionable and maybe even reckless from the start but they were given expert advice and they acted on it”. “Questionable”, “reckless”, I think the word you’re looking for is illegal. Paul Baxendale-Walker’s expert advice was only one aspect of his flamboyant commercial undertakings.
Documentation was also hidden from HMRC, the SFA and SPL, and as ‘Mr Black’ told the Tax Tribunal, the ruse was designed to recruit better players. Who win more trophies.
Falkirk, Queen of the South, Dundee, St Mirren, Dundee United, Motherwell and Ayr United all lost finals to an EBT-fuelled Rangers, as well as Celtic, of course. Let’s hear from any of them who don’t want the matter formally examined. And let the door slam on their backside on the way out of competitive sport. Forget what’s happening in Russia, this is going on TODAY in Scotland!
If any of these clubs are campaigning for Rangers to keep their EBT trophies, it’s important their fans know about it. Roddy doesn’t suggest his two chairmen-sources come from any of these clubs, in fact, he describes them as “SPL” chairmen, the former name for our top flight.
So who are they?
Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hearts can all be excluded from consideration. Think what you like about any of these clubs, but I cannot imagine any of their chairpersons considering this nonsense. Which leaves:
Kilmarnock. Michael Johnston is no longer chairmen, that role is fulfilled by Jim Mann.
Partick Thistle: David Beattie.
Motherwell: Brian McCafferty.
Inverness: Kenny Cameron.
Dundee: Bill Colvin.
Hamilton: Les Gray.
Ross County: Roy MacGregor.
St Johnstone: Steve Brown.
To the horror of Accies fans, in 2012 Les Gray said “SFL clubs should not be put in the position to vote on something which may destroy Scottish Football”. I wonder what Les is saying off the record now.
The Brown family have chaired St Johnstone through many issues, but their fans were off the mark quickly in 2012 to let Steve know their thoughts the last time Scottish football faced a decision to follow the rules, or not.
Roy MacGregor bristled with irritation when others tried to influence him in 2012. He has a reputation of knowing his own mind.
I don’t know anything about Bill Colvin, Kenny Cameron, Brian McCafferty, David Beattie or Jim Mann, but I suspect the names of both Roddy’s chairmen are on this page.
You’ll never read a better insight into why corruption was allowed to fester in our game than the glimpse available in today’s Telegraph, or that it remains endemic. Scottish football cannot be a comfortable haven for lawbreaking.
Maryhill Foodbank
Remember, there’s a Christmas toy collection for Maryhill Foodbank at Wild Cabaret, THIS Saturday, 14 November, from midday to 4:30. Families who don’t have money for food don’t have money for Christmas toys. If you have something you can donate, drop it in. There’s mulled wine and mince pies on the go.
You’ll find Wild Cabaret at 18 Candleriggs (0141 552 6165).
625 Comments- Pages:
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PRAECEPTA on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 3:21 PM
quonno
Old Jock Wallace had problems with the oranges in Seville. :-)
Wonder what he would have made of it all.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/scottish-football-cannot-be-haven-for-lawbreaking/comment-page-3/#comment-2717450
Meanwhile @ a court in Edinburgh, Brown says of Green: ‘Just when he thought he was out … they dragged him back in.’
Anyone else getting overwhelmed by the profusion of colours in this sorry mess … ?
VIP
Now, about those – ahem- “unknown” EBT recipients. They were at least employees, weren’t they…..?
CG lawyer: One is trying to find out what the parties meant by RFC……………..
Where’s Monaghan…………… FF must be in melt down!
I wonder how much all this legal work arising out of their demise and deformed, mutated rebirth is costin’.
by the time it’s all done and dusted [2038?] it must be in 7 figures.
Jungle VIP
Wee Prince is in Glasgow for a concert.
Maybe he’ll do a version of: Purple Rage!
squiggleCSC
I would just like to alert everyone to the fact that I am ACTUALLY eating popcorn at my desk. Thursday’s are fun.
Celtic FC filed for planning permission to install a bronze effigy outside the stadium in Glasgow’s east end in October.
Now Glasgow City Council have granted permission after no objections were made, with the condition that LED uplights are used to light the statue so as not to cause a “distraction or disturbance” to drivers on London Road.
First announced in April, the work by sculptor John McKenna will stand on a granite plinth on Celtic Way and was expected to be unveiled in autumn.
The statue proposal in the planning document depicts the moment McNeill hoisted the 1967 European Cup as the first British team captain to win the league with the Lisbon Lions.
From STV News.
I’m really warming to this QC guy, Jonathan Brown:
Brown says costs decision cannot wait until criminal case is over “The rainy day has arrived” he tells the court …
VIP
Right lads what do you think of this one
We call the mint sauce award a Dolly
Aye? Naw? Flounce imminent
In the words of the famous old ballad ……………………………………………………………………………………..
Funny, that rainy day is here.
Frank Sinatra CSC.
Greenpinata 1.12pm
I totally disagree with your opinion.
Those titles are rightfully Celtics.
I attended 95% of the matches ,in the periods that we were cheated.(I still do )
I was robbed of the joy of winning,I had the utter devastation of defeat to contend with,and spent my hard earned cash on supporting my team.
If I’d known the dice was loaded I wouldn’t have bothered.
Me and thousands like me deserve for Celtic to be awarded those titles that we were cheated out off.
Even if we are awarded the titles ,I will also have been robbed of the spontaneity of the joy of winning.
Be rest assured I will endeavour to recreate it.
I will rejoice if and when we are awarded what is rightly ours.
If not ,I will carry to my grave the bitter taste of being sold short and cheated.
TT
I see a lot of comments on Roddy Forsythe’s ridiculous article today.
It is so SMSM in its’ lack of quality, depth and accuracy.
A quick poll round the 12 teams in the Premiership could kick in to touch very quickly.
However, had the misfortune to need a haircut today and saw the Record there with a piece, it was labelled light-hearted look at the Celtic AGM, by Gregor Kyle, formerly if the Celtic View, taking the p*ss out of all of those of us who will attend next week’s AGM.
The article was nothing short of a disgrace and an insult to Celtic supporters and shareholders.
To think we will allow that rag access to our AGM really annoys me.
Court now discussing timetables (not McGill’s Buses).
Praecepta, That will take a bit of time, probably had to start around 1690.
Bobby, supersutton, JJ,
I bottled out and done a partial cash out.
These unraced horses get me nervous :)
In fact I can’t see it winning at all.
Hopeiveunjinxedit csc
Court Calculator getting a pounding……………………..
QC’s + Senior Council + Junior Council + Solicitors + Experts ++++++++
New batteries might be required.
ANDREW KERINS GREEN AND WHITE ARMY on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 3:43 PM
Right lads what do you think of this one
We call the mint sauce award a Dolly
Or` Oscar Jane` in recognition of Boabyevans` winning tip ? 0:-)
Just to say, either the trophy is an engraved Gravy Boat with “Mint Sauce Award” or something with a lamb on it.
The Hello Hello Dolly Award.
Corkcelt
Cracker!
“They hid documents from HRMC, SFA and SPL”
That would make a good banner….
Chals Green leaves the court happy. http://youtu.be/w40ushYAaYA
Referee blows full-time.
M’lord has retired to his nuclear fall-out shelter to prepare a written report.
Boo! Hiss!
Boudry 2nd
Biggest task ahead for CQNers and other will keeping the momentum going when we feel a bit deflated as the liquidators as they must, announce that they are appealing.
“Level 5” – is that code speak for setting phasers to “malkie” with regards to the truth?
startrekcsc
“PRAECEPTA on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:12 PM
Referee blows full-time.
M’lord has retired to his nuclear fall-out shelter to prepare a written report.
Boo! Hiss!
!!BADA BING!! on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:15 PM
Boudry 2nd”
Boo! Hiss! again!
–
Quonno- this is the gift that just keeps giving.
and Mike Ashley is in full ‘schoolbhoy pullin’ the legs off an ole millipede’ mode.
quonno on 12th November 2015 4:15 pm Biggest task ahead for CQNers and other will keeping the momentum going when we feel a bit deflated as the liquidators as they must, announce that they are appealing. – They cannot just appeal for the sake of it, they need to seek leave to appeal and show that the decision was wrong on a point of Law, not going to happen
Whos this Roddy Forsyth you speak of??
May just be me , but I’ve no faith in the justice system in this country . Like Blantyrekev I can see them getting a result .
Unlucky WITS can’t win them all , but don’t worry we’ve made had more profit than losses from you yourstillthemancsc
Hail Caesar!!!!!
I see Stevie Campbell, head of youth development has resigned from Dundee Utd. Worth employing?
quonno
why would you expect that BDO ‘must’ appeal? What’s in it for them other that the great expense involved in going to the highest court in the land?
TD67
I see he’s wearing brown brogues too. :-)
SYD NEGAKEV on 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:28 PM
TD67
I see he’s wearing brown brogues too. :-)
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/scottish-football-cannot-be-haven-for-lawbreaking/comment-page-4/#comment-2717474
Lol, actually he is too, I didn’t notice that :)