Retiring SPFL chairman Ralf Topping addressed the issue of Rangers EBTs in the light of the recent Supreme Court ruling in an interview today with The Scotsman. It is clear he is well-briefed on what is ‘in the post’ for the football authorities in Scotland from “fans groups”:
“There are a lot of wealthy people who support football clubs who will fund certain activities around challenges. The authorities just have to accept it and be measured in their response.”
Topping told The Scotsman, their solicitor, “the finest in the land”, made sure they were “ready for any challenges subsequently”.
The SPFL would save themselves and everyone else a lot of time and money if, instead of briefing friendly journalists who would refrain from asking the pertinent questions, they would address the matter in hand.
Why did the SPL (now the SPFL) set the parameters for what became the Lord Nimmo Smith (LNS) Commission to examine from 1998, then, when it became clear Rangers would admit guilt for offenses between 1998 and 2000, change that date to run from 2000?
Why did the SPL not lead evidence to the LNS Commission on the five players Rangers admitted guilt to the First Tier Tribunal, for offenses committed during the period in question (after 2000)?
Why did the SPL not reserve the right to appeal the LNS decision, which was predicated on EBTs being executed legally, pending the HMRS appeal?
Other questions, like who made the above decisions and why, can be addressed later.
If only the SPFL would “be measured in their response”, if only they would respond at all! There has been no response to these questions, only prevarication, misdirection and evasion.
The more those at the top of Scottish football speak, the more they sound like Sepp Blatter, who for years set inquiries and boasted about his robust legal advice on the running of Fifa.
Frankly, Topping and his cronies are not in Blatter’s league. They are not career criminals, but their briefing of selected journalists while studiously avoiding the question every fan would like to see answered, increasingly looks like a cover-up.
Celtic’s call for action will be ignored by the SPFL and SFA, but that must not be the end of it. Just do the right thing, Ralph; answer the questions.
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Auldheid
If they dont have contract and agreement, they will have now all suitably signed off by the necessary office bearers, backdated if needed. He Doncaster and the rest would get under a snake wearing a top hat.
Hrvatski Jim
Yeah, that is sad indeed, locals should be ashamed.
You missed the Bhoy Griff ‘goading’ the John Knox FC support by taking a corner, glad we never got a penalty:)
HH
GFTB-8:04pm did the Sam my self last week,went for a double nugget from equies,so walking thro the close to the car park and it’s to my utter shame,I had John Clark and his good lady walking towards me,every night of my life I wear a Lisbon lions t shirt,but not tonight,cos am just in from work and this is a wee treat for my wife,you have all these things you would say if you met one of our heroes,I said awe rite,and that’s it!aw fekn rite:-))
My stoke city supporting son in law reckons charlie adam for sevco – can’t see it
My dad said I should just have said congratulations on 50?!!!no shit dad:-)))
Fairhill Bhoy 8.37
Funny you mention John Clark, one of my mates on Friday night was telling me his Mrs took him into Celtic park the other week for his birthday, done the full tour some grub, photos in the dressing room, the lot, he said John Clark was amazing, he was that nervous he couldn’t speak but John Clark just put him at ease, he told me it was one of the best experiences he has ever had
GFTB – all good thanks, on holiday until 28th so glad of CQN to keep up with all things Celtic and more :) Looking forward to getting back to a game
HH
Fairhill Bhoy
I know exactly how you feel walking down Nile St and Henrik was walking towards me – he said aw rite Gene – I was soooooo disappointed :))
I called guys trolls a couple of weeks back & got my post deleted for calling them trolls. Paul has now apparently deleted the very same guys accounts and has himself labeled them trolls.
WTFCSC
imagine if we got one more sinclair level signing !
Corkcelt – not sure troll is the right word but you were spot on in your assessment of their veracity.
One of them called me a liar this morning – that’s worse than being called a hun. – I put it down to too much alcohol
Lads. I have learned the hard way about biting my tongue. A few examples…
1. Out on night in my younger, mod days … was on my way to meet my pals – -nod was looking fine in my drainpipe pants, overcoat, hat and bowling shoes! – when I passed a couple of heavy metal headbanger types … one of them said something, I replied… it went from there. …there were two of them, but I thought ‘yeah, I’m up for this’ … next thing I know, another four or five of them turned the corner! One of them shouted Get him!’ I turned and ran! .. not easy in drain pipe trousers and bowling shoes! Those $&;) chased me about three miles before I lost them in the subway!
2. At uni, I played varsity squash, as well as football for the college (not good enough for varsity). Doing theology, several of my profs were priests/ ex-priests, who were always keen on a game of squash. But I swore like a trooper when I played… of course, when I’d swear when playing against the priests, I’d end up in confession for all my swearing!
3. Dropped a few sweary words in court when I was starting my legal career. While priests can send you to confession, judges can send you to jail!
Learned pretty quickly to bite my tongue! Has come in handy on CQN sometimes!
:)
Burnley 78 . Thanks for the reply from last night .
Just finished catching up. Some great posts & conversations on here today . Chairbhoy , Auldheid and MIT , thanks for the insight . From my own experience either running or helping run football teams at various levels , registration rules are vitally important .
There seems to be an exception where a certain club are involved .
Value one and especially value four ! Never knew they existed .
Do the SFPL or the SFA know ? Every day a school day on CQN . HH
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME on 16TH JULY 2017 8:52 PM
imagine if we got one more sinclair level signing !
————————————–
We have signed 2 – Peter has bought a C5 and a spectrum
GFTB-blanur is what it’s called pal,it’s nice you remember,it’s BLANUR:-))
MIT
Confession or Jail – think jail would be easier :(
Gerry- a good friend was at Mr McStays funeral on Friday, a good Celtic representation was there, possibly more if game wasn’t on.Davie Hay, Neil Lennon, Joe Miller, Stephen McManus, standing room at the back.A True Celt, who i met a couple of times, and seen him at every away game when Paul was in the hoops.A lovely family
Corkcelt 8.50pm
I always take people on here at face value (Celtic people) the underhand stuff goes way over ma heid, but time always tells……….
God forbid I was ever born a Hun, last thing I would do would be to come on a Celtic site :-)
Open to all even Huns CSC
Just back from croker today
Good game of ball that everyone knows nobody is cheating
7 in a row for Dublin but that performance won’t be good enough in September
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-0c6b-Mayweather-vs-McGregor-a-Roman-spectacle-of-vulgarity-and-greed#.WWvGQHrTUv4
Bada 9.02pm
Lovely to hear, would expect anything less from the Larkhall McStays :-)
I know some don’t do testimonials but Paul McStays in the fog was a pleasure to be at
Gordon64
Theresa May fighting our Callum – is it mud wrestling
In the history of Celtic FC the McStay family shines out
GFTB-_Hope you take me at face value
Gerry- the McStay name is fabric in Celtic FC
G64- hope you are well amigo, get a beer soon HH
Stuart Armstrong – staying or going – think it will be the latter – pity but EPL wages are crazy
GENE,thank you,bed time for me,mon the hoops
Fairhill Bhoy
Am a sucker, as soon as you mentioned about going to the games with your Da that’s a given for me, never managed a game with my old man, which as my mum used to say wasn’t a bad thing :-)
Bada
Spot on with the McStays throughout our unbroken history :-)
Paul will always be my favourite player, Henrik & Lubo had terrific ability but the Maestro stayed with us when we weren’t the best (strip the cheats from their ill gotten gains)
MiT
Don’t give me this mealy mouthed excuse about holding your decorum.
Until you have called for the beheading of Celtic supporters, you are just a token rebel.
GENE on 16TH JULY 2017 9:20 PM
Looks like he’s going. Rumours seem to be he’ll get four times what he’s currently on from the footballing giants of West Brom, Burnley, Southampton or Bournemouth.
Met Paul McStay briefly outside Celtic Park a few years ago, just before he hopped into his real snazzy car & headed off.
A guy in a blazer just said to me & my mate, do you know who this is? before adding “This is the great Paul McStay”.
Paul looked a wee bit embarrassed & just said Hi Boys enjoy the game, as I said, the briefest of encounters but I valued it all the same.
An absolute legend.
Gene 9.08
Bada Bing 9.18
Simply put and well said
;-)
HH
Truthcsc
Gary67
Of course you meant to sat the footballing giants of Bournemouth ……………………:((((((
Night all
For a people and a cause: Been busy all day but took time out to catch the match in Los Boliches. Seven in a row is a great achievement but you are right, not an All Ireland winning performance. I’m still waiting on 16 Roads to get back to me re All Ireland ticket:-)
‘George Best All by himself’. A must see documentary on BBC catch up.
Night bhoys and ghirls