Quite apart from this week’s admission by First Minister, Alex Salmond, that he has been arguing with HM Revenue and Customs to “for goodness sake get a settlement” with Rangers, I continue to receive reliable assurances that HMRC are coming under pressure from all political angles to effectively offer state aid to Rangers FC PLC (in administration).
In short, if HMRC acquiesce, Rangers will have their debt zeroed and will be out of administration with only their 10 point penalty to show for years of financial doping.
Fifa guidelines explicitly prevent governments from interfering in football. State aid to any one club is about as explicit a contravention of Fifa rules as there can be. This jeopardises the places of Scottish clubs in next season’s European competitions and could lead to the Scotland national team being banned from the World Cup qualifying group, due to start later this year.
It is the SFA’s job to insist that all state intervention in football stops immediately. I urge you to write to the SFA chief executive, Stewart Regan, stewart.regan@scottishfa.co.uk
Celtic have an excellent chance of Champions League football next season and we don’t want politicians of any colour getting Scottish teams banned from international competition. The silence of the SFA on the subject, despite extensive media coverage, is very disconcerting.
It’s time for you to play your part in these important times.
Fancy writing something for CQN Magazine? Drop me an email and let me know what you would like to write about before you get started, just in case someone else has the same angle covered: celticquicknews@gmail.com.
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philvisreturns@13:46
“We don’t do walking away.”
As i posted a couple of days ago, “the loyal servant” will toe the party line, as he is due a nice wee ‘present’ if he keeps his mouth shut as to what is REALLY going on behind the scenes
Imo he along with The Wig, are as culpable as the main characters for not telling his fellow ‘bears’ what Whyte was up to
Here’s my Tuppence worth, damn cheating slimey Huns….
Dear Stuart
I am writing to you to ask you to stop immediately the state interference in Scottish Football that Rangers FC seem to be getting from Government figures including the Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond?.
As you know, such interference is a blatant breach of UEFA & FIFA rules and regulations. I do not want to see other teams in Scotland punished and disqualified from European competition for the deliberate misdemeanours of other Clubs.
Such interference from the Scottish Government will jeopardise any future entry in to UEFA and FIFA competitions for our law abiding Clubs and our Country.
It is the SFA’s responsibility to insist that all state intervention in Scottish Football stops immediately.
We ask that the rules are applied fairly and evenly as in the past to other Scottish clubs in Administration and no favour given to Clubs who have been proven to have deliberately avoided paying their taxes to gain unfair advantage over their associated member Clubs.
Such a move to save a Club who have been caught evading their taxes would not only be scandalous but also be wholly immoral and bring shame upon Scotland and Scottish Football to anyone looking inn, I believe such a move would for many be the end of Scottish Football.
I have copied in UEFA’s Marion Haap P.A. to Michel Platini whom I hope will be watching very carefully and with interest any attempt by our State to assist Rangers FC (in Administration).
Yours sincerely
Rieperman says:
17 February, 2012 at 13:06
Thats it done matey.
So let’s be clear on this Paul.
Celtic and every other club in the SPL will be punished
when UEFA impose sanctions on our league because
busted flush fc get off with their finacial doping of the
highest order.
That being the case we should apply to EUFA to leave
this league where the sporting integrity is compromised
and apply for entry to the English league ASAP.
There was a nagging doubt in the back of my mind that
these scumbags would wriggle off the hook, this might
just be it.
A joke of a country.
Exiled Tim
I live a stones throw from one.
I know only too well the influence and power they carry.
I see them rolling up with their fancy cars,
bow ties and briefcases on a regular basis.
When you read about Lord Cullen and the Thomas Hamilton case,it makes you think.
The huns sneaking out of this one cannot be ruled out as fantasy IMO.
I hope i’m so so wrong mind you.
Sir Paul
Whip The Peerie… Keep it Gawin’,
Dinna Stoap!
or Int’rest be Fawin’!
Kojo
Proud o’ ye ,Kiddo!
And Litlte Audrey. Laughed and Laughed.
David Prowse says:
17 February, 2012 at 14:05
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Salmon missing out on the Timmy vote will make no difference at all as, we/Timmy are the ‘little peepil’ in this Mississippi/hole of a country! IMO!
Hail! Hail!
Some posters seem reassured that HMRC will push for full payment of taxes owed. I’m not so certain – see the attached for HMRC’s “previous” as regard collecting taxes: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/dec/20/inland-revenue-sweetheart-tax-deals
That said, in the current climate, and with Portsmouth currently in administration, and others teetering on the brink, it would be a dangerous precendent to set. And politically, it would be dynamite – The PM steps in to allow football clubs to avoid paying tax would be dynamite for Miliband!
Living in England, I’m not up to date on the politics there – what’s the Labour leader (Lamont?) been saying about it? Though from an outsider’s perspective, Salmond needs to be wary about going too far in his support for Rangers – Cameron could potentially scupper the Independen Referendum by pushing the Independent Scotland would bail out institutional team at the expense of all others – if the Scottish Government push too much, they’re at risk of encouraging “No” votes among the Celtic supporting (and potentially other clubs) community at Referendum time – ie We don’t like Salmond’s vision of an Independent Scotland where the Government essentially provide Rangers with Immunity regardless of thier actions!
dirtymac – Ticketus say they are NOT creditors of anyone, they own Rangers Season Tickets to the value of 24 Million.
Forgive my terrible typing
Ticketus again
If they own STs, they can’t be fobbed off with a CVA. Because CVA is for debt. Ticketus would still get what they were due from new ST sales.
That makes it likely that Ticketus will VOTE for the CVA? Which, if we’re WORKING on just 9m currently for HMRC, is enough to carry the vote until the new tax bill hits.
E-mails sent to SFA and UEFA.
I wrote yesterday about Salmond using the enemy of my enemy is my friend ploy to win the bigot vote.
I would be willing to wager that between now and the refurrendum in 2014 the SNP will seek to make political capital out of the tricolour that flies above Celtic Park.
Mark these words.
We keep hearing that Scottish football needs a strong Rangers, but in a very real sense, we haven’t had a strong Rangers for at least the last 15 years.
In 1997, an increasingly alarmed ENIC tried to rein in Rangers’ spending, as they knew their unsustainable buying would damage their £40m investment. They even secured a seat on the Rangers board to try to exert a restraining influence on Murray. ENIC eventually sold their shares back to Murray for just £8m in their frustration at Murray’s refusal to listen.
From 1986 to 2001, Rangers’ strength on the pitch was the result of financial doping, not a reflection of any underlying health or strength in the company itself. Then of course in 2001 the EBT’s began, and from that point on, the taxpayer has in effect been subsidising Rangers.
According to Whyte, the Big Tax Case bill could come to about £75m, and they have also withheld £9m in VAT, PAYE etc since May. So in the last 15 years, the cost of a “strong” Rangers to the taxpayer has been about £84m.
To those who say Scottish football needs a “strong” Rangers, I would ask:
1) How much should the taxpayer be expected to fork out for a “strong” Rangers?
2) If we can only have a “strong” Rangers at the taxpayers’ expense, why exactly do we need them again?
Awe_Naw
If the administrator and auditor (who left it off the BS last year remember) can form a CVA proposal without the big case HMRC will challenge, but that challenge may or may not succeed before the CVA is pushed through.
I do expect HMRC to act quickly though if that happens.
If Ticketus is not ‘debt’ but an asset purchase then sparklghirl could be right, Whyte is more likely to now control 75% of the debt by value without the Big Tax debt.
Get the CVA through, receive the assets (Ibrox and players) in lieu of payment. Rent it back to Rangers while they exist. Big Tax case crystallises and it’s admin AGAIN, but this time of a shell with no assets other than SPL registration, and it’s the big case to blame for liquidation and everyone point to SDM. Hero Whyte has saved the assets and there will “always be a Rangers playing at Ibrox”
Step forward Celtic and others to reject their application to the SPL. Let battle commence.
So if Ticketus own the future STs, then they are neither a creditor, nor owed any money. To me this means they are simply in possession of a very large asset that is only worth anything if Oldco remains trading. But they would not have a vote in the CVA process. If that is the case then they’ve been royally done over
The Legend Johnny Doyle says:
17 February, 2012 at 14:12
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
No offence my friend but, Stuart is one of the ‘secret handshakers’ !!!!
Or, he wouldn’t hold the position that he does! IMO!
Hail! Hail!
sparkleghirl says:
17 February, 2012 at 14:15
Forgive my terrible typing
Ticketus again
If they own STs, they can’t be fobbed off with a CVA. Because CVA is for debt. Ticketus would still get what they were due from new ST sales.
That makes it likely that Ticketus will VOTE for the CVA? Which, if we’re WORKING on just 9m currently for HMRC, is enough to carry the vote until the new tax bill hits.
+++++
If ticketus aren’t creditors then they don’t get a vote.
sparkleghirl – Ticketus, according to them, are not creditors of Rangers therefore they will not have a vote in any CVA
Does anyone have the ability to a land search to see who currently owns Ibrox? It takes the lay person like me a bout 2 weeks to get a written response, any lawyers out there able to do it more quickly?
Following Paul67’s request, I’ve sent an email to both Regan and Platini! Looking at the bigger picture, the Establishment are doing everything in their power to ensure their team survive! Collectively, we all need to petition the people at UEFA and FIFA, plus your local MP that none of your money be used/lost to save Them! You know the id’s to be used above and for UEFA it’s Gianni.Infantino@uefa.ch
Ta ait seo an maith ar fad!
sparkleghirl
as Ticketus are not creditors they won’t have a vote.
Now, imagine you were a Rangers player( i know, i know, but bear with me) at this present time
In 24hrs time you are playing against Kilmarnock without knowing if you will continue to be a Rangers player this time next week
Now, if you go in for that 50/50 challenge tomorrow and pick up an injury that rules you out for 2-3 weeks, what are the chances of you being one of the first names on the Administrators hitlist?
Lads cheers for posting yer comments to Regan, appreciated.
philvisreturns says:
17 February, 2012 at 13:54
Yer nothing but a p**ck
A fellow tim asking for help and what do you do, attack.
I’ve got 2 wee ones here, and forgive me if i don’t have time to sit and try and think what to write in a f***ing email.
Good to see Celtic;
Youngsters can watch the Celts for a fiver
By: Newsroom Staff on 17 Feb, 2012 11:31
KIDS’ ticket prices for next Wednesday’s SPL clash with Dunfermline have been have been reduced to only £5*.
The ticket price, which is normally £17, has been dropped by a massive £12 for this vital game with Neil Lennon’s Celts chasing the title.
A Family Package is also available in the Lisbon Lions Family Section for just £30 – saving of £13 (one adult and one concession)
The game goes ahead on Wednesday, February 22 with a 7.45 kick-off.
For all Celtic ticket info, click HERE
Tickets for this match are now on sale.
Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 0871 226 1888** or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office.
If the SNP interfere to support a club then, as Paul67 says, that’s as big an infringement of footballing law as you can get. FIFA would then only be acting within their rights if they screwed the Scottish national team for a generation to come. If the SNP really want to condone tax evasion and help a tax evading corporation survive then they’re effectively authorising a debt jubilee for everyone. And I seem to remember it was non-payment of another tax that brought down a previous government.
McMoist ” We don’t do walking away”.
Unless of course it’s from such minor responsibilities as paying their taxes!
I’m not a violent man but only fatigue would stop me punch…………
It be better for all if rangers can find a solution. the scottish league would not survive as tv would not be interested, and gates would fall.
My understanding is that no team can just resign from the SPL without giving the statutory two years notice. To do so would incur legal proceedings (sic) to whom and at what cost would be the fun part.
Termination of Membership
C12.1
No Club shall terminate its membership of the League unless it shall have given two full Seasons notice in writing to the Secretary to the effect that it shall terminate its membership. Once given, a written notice of termination of membership may not be revoked or withdrawn by the Club except with the approval of the Company in General Meeting.
C12.2
Any Club which is in breach of the provisions of this Rule C12 shall on demand indemnify the Company, on behalf of the other Clubs in the League, against all losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by such Clubs and/or the Company which result directly or indirectly from such breach (including, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any loss of income or profits from any sponsorship or other commercial agreement or arrangement entered into by the Company as a result of such breach).
C12.3
Subject to the provisions of Article 37 of the Articles of Association, the Company in General Meeting may from time to time, and upon such terms and conditions as it may think fit, expel or accept the retirement or resignation of any Club from the League.
Jelly and Gelato – maybe ! but this 24m hold they have over current Rangers means current Rangers are stuffed even if they do pull off a cunning CVA.
We don’t know the full Ticketus story yet.
I would be stunned if they have purchased a transient asset such as future season tickets without having some security to recoup costs should the amount of tickets expected not be sold. Especially considering the well known parlous state of Rangers.
Administrators have confirmed they are looking into who holds security over Rangers’ assets. Don’t be surprised if these assets are owned by the parent now and the ticket money has been secured on them via the parent.
Ticketus will not be exposed to £24.4m with no come back.
Paul67
I think you are laying it on a bit thick.
To sort out this mess you are going to need a scalpel not a trowel.
JMcF had the right idea even if it was poorly explained on Tartan Newsnight.
The main issue should be the TFOD paying off their debts in full.
The HMRC should get every penny they are owed including penalties.
That brings me to my big question –
What price history?
What do you want?
CVA – TFOD allowed to return as is but poorer.
NewCo – Pre-Pack or auction room trawl with debts scrubbed clean?
I would want all the debts paid back.
I would be happy for the HMRC to accept an extended payment schedule.
That is not state aid it would be tax justice – HMRC interest rates would apply.
14 years at £7mill pa would be a good starting point given their current debt issues.
Exiled Tim
Thanks for that link,i will read it when i get a chance.
i think it was on here years ago someone posted a link to the
Thomas Hamilton case and Lord Cullen, i cant do links but worth a read
if you get a chance.
email sent
Dear sirs, as you are no doubt aware, Glasgow Rangers FC recently slid into administration over unpaid taxes of around £9 million. I, as a supporter of Scottish football, must say that I am deeply concerned at the political noises being made in regard to “saving” Rangers. This is a club that stands accused of willful tax evasion by HMRC and should this case go against them then it would not be unfair to say that this constitutes cheating; cheating the UK taxpayer not to mention the rest of Scottish football over the last 10 years.
Yet we are told by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond that HMRC should simply overlook this and come to an “arrangement” with Rangers, something which would set a very damaging precedent not just for UK football, but Scottish football. As far as I am aware, state aid/intervention on behalf of any single football club is explicitly forbidden by FIFA, indeed, the Nigerian national side was recently banned by FIFA due to perceived state interference in football.
Whilst no one wishes to see football clubs struggle, we can not possibly allow a situation where preferential treatment is given to one club, treatment no other club can get, by the state. Indeed, no one in Scottish football wants to see a situation where the Scottish national side could run the risk of being banished from international competition due to perceived intervention from the state. Or indeed Scottish club sides from European competition.
I am interested to know what the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football Association’s stance is on this, as they are responsible for ensuring a fair and equal competition for all clubs in Scotland. To say their silence on this matter so far has been ‘worrying’ is an understatement.
Regards
the trick here will be to get fans of English clubs emailing Platini et al saing hey do no want to be punished in the event of a Rangers bailout…
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy at 14:03
Does anyone have any news of Neil Lennon’s news conference today? They said on Clyde SSB last night that he would be asked questions about his tweet yesterday on RFC Administrators’ news conference.
Read bits of it on twitter but saw no mention to his tweet of yesterday that said:
“Well that press conference was clear as mud. Every question body swerved”
If anyone did pull him up on it, the easy thing would be to say well I didn’t understand it, did you?
Mort
Asked about Rangers going into administration, manager Ally McCoist says: “Well I have to inform you that I am as surprised at some of the revelations as the next man. Of that there is no doubt. The one thing I would say to you is that I’m a Rangers supporter and I want some answers, I would like some answers.”
well if the “next man” is someone who has been reading CQN or RTC or Phil then he shouldn’t have been too surprised then
or is Ally now breaking ranks with the MBB (Motherwell born Brigand)
Hail Hail
MORE BREAKING NEWS AT IBROX;-)
http://forthewaywelivetoday.blogspot.com/2012/02/rangers-face-fresh-secretarial-charges.html
Paul 67 et al
Stumbled across this report.
Tax avoidance
KevJungle -“…no seats in the Jungle…” says:
17 February, 2012 at 14:17
Yes mate probably,
But now he knows Big Brother is watching their every move. Tighten the Noose, Build their Gallows High. Keep the presure on them, every ounce of pressure counts.
JD