The Daily Record won credit for scooping the off-field story of the week, multiple investigations into singing by Celtic fans, but others are beginning to ask who gave the newspaper details of a police investigation.
The stories broke in an unusual manner, with SFA referee and policeman, Eddie Smith, named as the person who reported Celtic fans to Uefa and the SPL. The officer made what looks like an inexplicable decision after some confrontations inside Celtic Park, without mentioning a word of his concerns to the Celtic security people during the game – the normal procedure for such incidents.
Smith, who has Celtic supporting credentials, was named, providing the perfect foil to deflect accusations that this was some sort of Masonic conspiracy, which it was not. The entire episode is a classic internecine dispute among Celtic supporters, but with the comments made to Uefa, the story was parcelled up for the Record by a Strathclyde Police spokesman.
The Daily Record reported, “A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: “For Eddie [Smith] to speak to the delegate after the match is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it is standard practice””. This is completely irrelevant.
Celtic’s retort in the same article got to the heart of the issue – why the police are speaking to Uefa and the media but not speaking to the club: “This is quite unprecedented as no issues were raised to the club during the match and the police didn’t inform us directly about their concerns.”
Control over media communications from Strathclyde Police falls to Director of Communications, Rob Shorthouse, (pictured on the left). Shorthouse, whose own favourite team have taken a reputational battering from Uefa in recent seasons, despite silence from the police, should be concerned that the force have given newspapers material for three days of screaming headlines instead of addressing the key concern about departure from established procedure. This has only inflamed a volatile situation between Celtic fans and officers on the ground. Shorthouse, who held a similar position at the SFA until two years ago, will be familiar with the sensitivities of football issues.
Perhaps a Freedom of Information request will reveal who leaked a story that laid out details which reflected so badly on Celtic. All we want is equal treatment, as a former chairman once commented.
1,077 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 28
- »
Jobo Baldie says:
16 November, 2011 at 13:13
Imatim –
If you’re still around may I commend you for your regular daily lunchtime blessings. Those hard working underpaid slaves will soon be heroes.
Jobo
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2010 Never Again
Many thanks but I am merely passing them on from Father Murphy who is heading the HMRC delegation
Paul67
I Salute You…
HH
Oh and who wants to be the first to test if shouting orange b in a stand full of celtic fans will be thrown out by a judge as no one could be expected to be offended.
Anyone want to volunteer for that job?
TTTT
Where were Mr and Mrs Shorthouse planning to go even if they hadn’t been thrown out? If he was over the limit and she doesn’t drive, and all the local accommodation was taken, what were they going to do?
The fact that their stay in the restaurant came to a more abrupt end than anticipated is neither here nor there.
Neil Lennon is (and always will be) a Celtforlife (*O*) 16 November, 2011 at 13:17
Shorthouse is not a policeman. He is Director of Communications for Strathclyde Police – a role he previously held at the SFA.
He is also a rabid Hun who, I am told by one of his former workmates was ‘sweating after Manchester’ – make of that what you will.
The Falcon says:
16 November, 2011 at 12:32
****CHRISTMAS MONEY ALERT****CHRISTMAS MONEY ALERT****
Euan Norris……..5 penalties awarded to huns in 3 games.
Paddy Power…….17/10 penalty awarded in game on Saturday.
Referee: Euan Norris.
——————————————————————-
If we all had a bet on Euhun Norris giving a penalty against the Huns, would that not trigger an investigation into a betting scam?
JD
Paul 67
Brilliantly written.
`……….Shorthouse (pictured on the left)
Love it!!!!
Afternoon, everyone.
Just three more sleeps till Celtic time. Mjallby is saying both Ledley and Ki should be ready for ICT on Saturday, but that Mulgrew and Loovens are not going to be risked.
Loovens’ absence is a major concern. Big Dan had an absolute mare in THAT game, and I’m not convinced scoring England’s 2000th ‘goal’ will aid him in his emotional recovery from the barbs of the home fans.
Ledley’s availability, on the other hand, tips the scales back in our favour – remember how well he played at Inverness in the cup game last season, not to mention the excellent level of consistency he’s shown so far season (one of the few not to be suffering from 2nd season syndrome). He is destined to be our key player for this match.
jimmci: 16 November, 2011 at 13:15
“Where is Ian Bankier? have yet to hear this man speak other than a few words at the AGM.
“Time for him to speak in public, I believe, and defend our good name.”
Nothing for him to ‘defend’ there are so many holes in the allegations you could drive a bus through them.
What do you expect the club to say when they don’t even know what the fans are accused of?
CELTIC O LENNON 1321
Line in the sand,eh?
You echo my thoughts on this. I haven’t sung pro-PIRA songs for about thirty years,but that is a personal decision. IMO,it is completely wrong to DICTATE to the support as a whole that they cannot sing them.
That IS my line in the sand;others can join the party when they realise that bending over too often is becoming,well,painful.
We have successfully self-policed for years,and it has been thrown back in our faces,while the behaviour of the huns has become more hunnish than ever.
So the question is-how much are individual supporters willing to take before the penny drops?
The Legend Johnny Doyle at 13:31
If we all had a bet on Euhun Norris giving a penalty against the Huns, would that not trigger an investigation into a betting scam?
He usually gives a penalty for the huns.
I’m going to stick £20 on the penalty for that game. Should be easy money.
Mort
Robert Tressell —–
Yes —–
Additionally —— if the different League was in England ——– Celtic and its support would become a target for every Little Englander / No Surrender To The IRA nut job in town.
The seeds have been sown
celtic *o* lennon
Looks like one of us will be up for using the words ‘Fenian Army’ in a stand full of Celtic fans, before the year is out….
The Legend Johnny Doyle says:
16 November, 2011 at 13:31
The Falcon says:
16 November, 2011 at 12:32
****CHRISTMAS MONEY ALERT****CHRISTMAS MONEY ALERT****
Euan Norris……..5 penalties awarded to huns in 3 games.
Paddy Power…….17/10 penalty awarded in game on Saturday.
Referee: Euan Norris.
——————————————————————-
If we all had a bet on Euhun Norris giving a penalty against the Huns, would that not trigger an investigation into a betting scam?
JD
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2010 Never Again
And please don’t forget to add a red card or 2 to that bet <:-))
My prostrate and humble apologies to ernie lynch for the repetition of the word ‘season’ in that last post.
up_over_goal – My prostrate
You should get that checked. (thumbsup)
TLJD
Not being a betting man if I stuck a tenner on Norris how much would I get back if he goes with form???
TIME to give Celtic FC the red card – that’s the view of fed-up residents who live near the training ground in Lennoxtown.
They are furious over a traffic hold-up which the Glasgow club wants to extend for another TWO YEARS.
Locals have launched a petition calling for action to be taken over traffic issues at the Celtic training ground in Lennoxtown.
When the club applied for planning permission to build their training complex in 2005, it was approved on the condition that access should be by a new road leading from Glen Road.
But the road has not been built due to a neighbouring housing development being mothballed – leaving team buses and delivery lorries to use Station Road instead.
The club have now applied for permission to continue using Station Road for a further two years.
Netherton Oval resident James Sim said: “The road is not suitable and is not properly maintained. Netherton Oval is being used as a shortcut, which is dangerous for children.”
He also added, “To be fair, none of us realised this until Police Officer Eddie Smith contacted us and advised it was happening…”
HH
up over goal
Prostrate??? Any fule kno you meant profound surely?
TLJD – excellent idea! A similar one has been mooted on here before, but the timing is good so let’s spread the word.
C_1st : he must have flagged down a special taxi from the nearest cop shop!
T4
unles you were lying on your back at the time!
brilliant article Paul! this is very serious news for a public organisation like Strathclyde Police, very serious indeed… wouldnt like to be in Mr Shorthooses shoes right now!
Mort says:
16 November, 2011 at 13:34
I will match the £20.00 bet. Watch the price go to 1-10 and maybe just maybe knowing what will happen to him, will not give the Hun a penalty and it will be money well spent…. ;)
JD
Taken directly from Strathclyde Police’s website.
“Rob Shorthouse
As Director of Corporate Communications, Rob oversees and manages the way in which the Force communicates with the public and other key partners at both a national and local level.”
I hope that his boss can see quite how he has managed this fiasco with the public and one of his key parttners in Glasgow, Celtic FC.
Here’s the link to the force organizational chart.
http://www.strathclyde.police.uk/getFile.asp?FC_ID=6553&docID=7681
He reports directly to the Deputy Chief Constable, Neil Richardson. Shorthouse also sits at the top management table for the force.
HH
RWE CSC
RT
Come what may they hate us, at least we would have access to money and we would be playing on a level playing field.
You do have a good point, but imo it will only kill the club to be dragged down to the hun level, cos that’s where we are going in sectarian land, they are going down so the establishment are bringing us down with them.
If people want to stay and play within a corrupt system any more, it’s not my place to argue against, this is only my opinion.
Do you honestly think we will be allowed to dominate in scotland while the hun are on their knees ??????
http://thefrontofthebus.blogspot.com/2011/11/he-is-billy-and-tim.html
Does anyone know why Shorthouse left the SFA?
Was he pushed or did he jump?
ASonOfDan says:
16 November, 2011 at 13:34
celtic *o* lennon
Looks like one of us will be up for using the words ‘Fenian Army’ in a stand full of Celtic fans, before the year is out….
There may be many more to follow as the purge continues
philvisreturns
Fool me twice… ain’t gonna fool me again.
Anybody written to James Traynor for feedback on this via ETIM’s
2008
On the Famine Song “Just banter and we need freedom of speech”
2011
On the Green Brigade
“We are all tainted every time this miserable, moronic minority close their minds and open their mouths.”
ASonOfDan says:
16 November, 2011 at 13:41
He also added, “To be fair, none of us realised this until Police Officer Eddie Smith contacted us and advised it was happening…”
Ha Ha ;-)
17/10 is the price for a penalty in the huns’ match.
Given that the away team are unlikely to get one (!) the 10/3 on a hun penalty may be a better bet
up_over_goal – Clearly I misunderestimated you. (thumbsup)
Paul67
you write
Perhaps a Freedom of Information request will reveal who leaked a story that laid out details which reflected so badly on Celtic. All we want is equal treatment, as a former chairman once commented.
If anyone is interested if you click on the Strathclyde police website it gives you the following information
The website is temporarily unavailable.
Report Crime
If someone is in immediate danger – or the crime is happening right now – dial 999
Non-urgent crime
Phone our main contact number 0141 532 2000. They can put you through to your local office.
Crimestoppers
Phone 0800 555 111 – anonymity can be maintained.
Information can also be given via Type-Talk by dialling 18001 and then 0800 555 111.
Anti-terrorism
Phone the national hotline on 0800 789 321 if you believe someone is acting suspiciously.
Make a Complaint
Contact the Professional Standards Department (open Monday to Friday 8.00am – 6.00pm) on 0141 532 2559.
Recruitment
For recruitment enquiries telephone 01355 566352 or email recruiting.police@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk
Freedom of Information
If you have Freedom of Information request telephone 0141 435 1215 or email info@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk
Information for Kids and Teenagers
Check out our website for young people – http://www.spstation.co.uk
I wonder if they are improving they are presently tightening up their security.
Hail Hail
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:
16 November, 2011 at 13:47
17/10 is the price for a penalty in the huns’ match.
Given that the away team are unlikely to get one (!) the 10/3 on a hun penalty may be a better bet
_________________________________
Now that is the bet of the weekend.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS says:
16 November, 2011 at 13:33
Well said mate not enough fans taking this seriously. On the day of the FAC demo/march was pretty dissapointing more people couldn’t miss the sheep v huns game to come along and show their support.
Had a female follower on twitter for all of two minutes, I didn’t tweet, and she was gone.
She must have been a Rager.
What betting site is that on ?