Tomorrow’s SPL meeting is something of a formality, albeit as dramatic as a formality can be. The main scheduled action of the week is underway at Hampden right now. We hear that after issuing threats to exclude 20 SFL clubs from future access to the top two divisions in Scottish football, SPL and SFA chief executives, Neil Doncaster and Stewart Regan, will face irate SFL chairmen.
In mitigation of the criticism coming his way, Mr Doncaster is offering your money, in perpetuity, to buy votes to allow Sevco to gain direct access to the First Division. If passed, they would probably enter the SPL next season, close to debt free, while Celtic carry peak debt of around £35m after playing by the rules and not qualifying for Champions League football during the last three seasons.
In short, if Mr Doncaster manages to persuade the SFL chairmen to back his plan, Sevco will become by far the strongest team in the SPL a year from now.
The plan has been rejected as wholly unacceptable by an impressive list of clubs with no association whatsoever with Celtic, many of whom exist hand-to-mouth and whose vote against will cost them considerable income.
Doncaster’s part in creating this shambles cannot be underestimated. He perpetuated the myth that “Rangers” should and would be in next season’s SPL, allowing people to invest in an undeliverable strategy, including Charles Green.
Mr Doncaster is an employee of the company Celtic are an equal-twelfth shareholder in. His actions are wholly incompatible with sporting meritocracy. As Celtic shareholders we call for his resignation and, if this is not forthcoming, demand he faces a confidence vote.
“Without fear or favour” was the promise from Stewart Regan when he told us he would apply the rules evenly as the Rangers saga unfolded. In advocating rules are torn up and replaced his words are laughable.
His assertion that the actions of Campbell Ogilvie over Rangers EBTs had been investigated and that Ogilvie was found to be without blame was misleading. It is our assertion that the actions of Mr Ogilvie were not investigated at all and that Mr Regan spoke to protect his ally, who remains in position despite being “heavily conflicted” according to Mr Regan, and the SFA being in desperate need of a strong and active president.
Mr Regan is now wholly compromised and must resign or also face a vote of confidence. Two years ago he joined a dysfunctional organisation. He had a great opportunity to make a name for himself as a successful troubleshooter. Instead he’s made matters worse!
1,440 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- ...
- 38
- »
Malc:
I just feel we’ve missed a real chance to step forward as moral leaders in all this, and I object to the idea we’ve done so out of fear of “carnage on the streets.” I don’t believe we will ever see that happen … this is not the former Yugoslavia we’re talking about here; this is a football club falling on hard times, and no matter what I believe about the bigoted section of the Rangers support I will not label them mindless sociopaths capable of anything because they’re not in the SPL.
I think that sort of talk is dangerous. I don’t mean any disrespect to those who say it, but I do believe it to be alarmist and overly emotive.
(I know! Me! Talking about overly emotive! It feels weird trying to offer the reasoned opinion in this!)
The majority of decent fans only want honesty and integrity in Scottish football but the cheating and corruption has been going on for so long in the game that we must ask the question will it change? The answer appears to be only if the correct decisions are made about newco and correct decision is that they should apply to join the lowest league along with any other club who have the same ambition and then it should be voted on.Is this likely? no it is not as the football authorities continue to try and assist newco as there preferred club.If Ogilvie,Regan and Doncaster are not made to resign they will achieve there goal of newco starting in Div.1 and the corruption in Scottish football will continue.H.H.
do these Rangers shares still exist :-}
To promote a new club by two divisions for no apparent reason isn’t just match fixing – it’s fixing of the entire game for the benefit of one party only.
The SFL clubs will be under enormous pressure over the next week. It’s heartening that so many of them have come out in favour of sporting integrity so far, but there is a job still to be done.
Has the 3 years accounts requirement rule been changed? I thought that was a tenet of football governance.
James Forrest is Neil Lennon! We are ALL Neil Lennon! on 3 July, 2012 at 16:43 said:
Sheik Yerbouti:
Yeah mate, I’m certain of that. To allow a club entry to the league requires a majority vote of the membership. To let NewCo straight into Division 1 would require the 66% majority and the wholesale changing of the rules.
By the way … those rule changes also require a 8 – 4 majority vote in the SPL or they are not carried. It is a restructuring of all the leagues, remember?
So SPL clubs will have to decide all over again.
cheers james
Perhaps the question needing considered re the holding of Rangers shares by Messrs Ogilvie and Ballantyne is what benefits might accrue from the shareholding as opposed to their face value?
The issue over today’s meeting, I think, isn’t even in the statements by chairmen on the way in the door, or this news of a vote next week, or even the requirements over a license. The SFL is essentially going to be asked to waive some of those requirements, and this is why some might even vote No.
The meeting next week will, first and foremost, seek to assure NewCo is playing football at all. I expect it to pass.
No, for me, the worst thing to come out of today is the assertions by Doncaster, echoed by Regan, about the consequences should NewCo not be in the SPL in time for the 2013-14 season.
I think those comments are the story. They are the headline makers.
We have the head of the Scottish Football Association and the head of the Scottish Premier League essentially telling a room full of clubs – including those in the first division – that it is a REQUIREMENT for the side calling itself Rangers to win promotion next season. A REQUIREMENT.
That is the scandal which blows all the others away.
Ponder that for just what moment. Has there ever been anything like it?
Having read alex Thomson’s blog, surely the Nolan prinicples should be applied to Scottish Football –
The Seven Principles of Public Life
Selflessness : Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity : Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity : In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability : Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness : Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty : Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership : Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Árd Macha
Is it me but i am totally underwhelmed at AT’s latest blog, i for one am not in the least surprised that Ogilvie, Findlay & Ballantyne have been outed as Dodo FC shareholders, are ant of you?
Looks like the deal has been done 50% of SFL clubs to pass the vote to get them into SFL 1, who has been party to this scenario, the SPL board (including Celtic), only Dungcaster, the SFA or only Regan, what about Longmiur of the SFL?
Clear as mud innit! So much for chairmen listening to the fans, yet again we are disregarded, SEVCO fc gerrymandered as high up the league as possible, how can any Scottish Football fan have any confidence in any of the ruling bodies over the governance and future of our game?
Minimum Dungcaster & Regan must go, followed by Ogilvie.
The Hun FC 2012 back in the SPL in a year debt free and all their income streams intact, claiming the history of Dodo FC playing in blue out of ibrox, what a deal eh?
What about the tribunal that has to resit, is it? i doubt it! What about the EBT scandal are they going to body swerve any repercussions from that? How is Dungcaster and Regan going to spin that?
It looks to me that they are going to get away with a 10 point penalty and very little else, how in any form of modern sport can anyone with half a brain think what is happening here is anything other than blatant overt corruption.
The game in Scotland will die if this comes to pass.
gebhoy
jock steins celtic on 3 July, 2012 at 16:47 said:
do these Rangers shares still exist :-}
bang on, without shares there can be no conflict, red herring,
issue is, how did they get a license
For those angered by Celtic FC`s policy of silence. Do you really think the following scenario is impossible? Remember, a SFL Club chairman has called the authorities `corrupt` and not a word of condemnation has been heard.
Celtic FC Statement:
We agree with the x other SPL clubs who believe that the rules must be followed.
MSM: CELTIC SAY THEY HATE RANGERS AND HOPE THEY ARE NEVER SEEN IN SCOTTISH FOOTBALL AGAIN.
Anyone else think it would be a good idea for Celtic to invite the likes of Raith Rovers,( and others who have shown integrity,) to a friendly game?
Charge a tenner a head or so, after expenses give them it all.
Would be great to see a few sellouts and to show the rest they dont need any newco, in any form.
Did Malcolm Murray apologise for the years of cheating? I think we’ll wait a long time for that one. Doncaster appears to be on a go slow with his investigations into 12 years or perhaps more of cheating. Time to go Neil!
jimspence tweet : Neil Doncaster tells sfl that Sky, Espn and sport 5 deals at threat as contracts require RFC in spl in 2013/14 value 17.35 mill
~~~~~
Complete and utter lie. A fabrication. Fantasy. Nonsense. Made it up. Porky.
Jim Spence : fantasist and enabler.
Neil Doncaster : Liar.
And I’d say it to their lying faces in a court. But that would never happen,because they are cowards,and strangers to the truth ; and I,as an ordinary citizen,matter nothing to these paragons.
did Celtic not once hold Rangers shares and sent someone along to the AGM?
Whats Paul67s email please friend having bother signing up for CQN
HAIL HAIL
Any conflict of interest re Rangers shares lies in the past.
None of the folk mentioned have shares in the company that is applying to join – Sevco – as far as we know .
The shares existed in previous seasons when this lot were in power at other clubs and on committees, turning a blind eye to the failure of governance in Govan.
Rangers shareholders at top of SFA and SFL, ex rangers player at top of Players Union, media littered with ex rangers players. #corrupt
miki67
I’d trust Spence he doesn’t seem to have any agendas and has repeatedly told it as it is throughout this sorry tale.
Hamiltontim,
Meant to reply to you yesterday – Sorry!
I wasn’t trying to suss out your family fortune: I was simply interested in whether you have a connection with the Antinori family, who make posh wines in Tuscany (& in Apulia, where I spend a lot of time).
Noticed you had a, ehmm. discussion the other day with Canamalar. You may remember that I don’t care for him (don’t hate him – just find him despicable): nevertheless, I didn’t think that he meant to offend you.
James Forrest
“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”
The board’s silence is ten times more powerful than any premature statement.
Rangers shareholding.
It’s a Masonic/Orange thing donchaknow.
What we are seeing here is the biggest swindle in the history of sport, the dumping of up to £140 odd million of debt, the purchase of assets worth around £35-40 million for £5 million.
Every rule bent disregarded or made up to get them as high up the league as possible.
It is absolutely disgusting….
gebhoy
kes
Neil C 16.53
they don’t even exist as a football club. Charles Green and the SPL/SFA Huns are certainly trying to put the cart before the horse. If it wasn’t the cheating late huns we could laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
jock steins celtic on 3 July, 2012 at 16:47 said:
do these Rangers shares still exist :-}
————————————————–
They existed when Ogilvie and Ballantyne held office in the SFA and SFL respectively,therefore I believe they were in breach of the rules…prior to RFC going into administration and now the process of liquidation.
I am SO angry and disgusted. The orcs must be howlin’ with glee.
So, a wee song to soothe myself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9YsLD5xdJg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
No one was in breach of any rules, they would only have to declare those shares if their holding was more than 3% of the total shares issued. por cierto.
Bhoys if you curb your anger for a bit and look at what is taking place before our eyes it is very clever.A discredited football club who owe millions of pounds and who have been cheating there rivals for years.Manage over a two year period get rid of the debt and stuff there creditors and return to the top league in there country as the most financialy secure club.What we are seeing is the fruition of a very clever plan to return the stricken club back to its rightfull place at the top table in Scottish football and leave the rest of us mugged.H.H.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/sfl/2009/09/25/sfl-president-brown-mcmaster-facing-sanctions-if-found-guilty-of-duel-interest-in-clubs-86908-21699870/
It will be interesting to see how Livingston re-act if a vote goes in favour of Sevo’s promotion.
Guys … for the second time today (haha) I seem to be the voice of moderation …
To the best of our information, the meeting next week will ONLY be to vote to admit them to the SFL. That’s not a total reversal for us. That’s the minimum we expected. The bare minimum.
That vote will not put them in SFL 1. To do that take a constitutional shift of BOTH league structures, and great majorities.
Don’t sweat this one … this isn’t the big battle.
roy croppie on 3 July, 2012 at 16:58 said:
>>>
I’M sayin’ how it is : the game’s a bogey…..a big Chucky Green bogey.
What’s his degree,mason-wise? Because,for the new girl in school he seems to have one helluva lotta sway.
Liars and thieves the lot of them.
And I don’t give a **** about J. Spence. He’s spouting an outright fabrication on their behalf and is a msm dandy in love with himself. Just like Jabba sees a male model in the mirror.
So,allow me me my anger when I see us getting royally stiffed….again.
HH.
FF @ 16.07
Whether by accident or design, Celtic keeping schtum is probably still the best course of inaction.
I believe you’re right. I think Celtic have played this very well – so far. Had PL made any kind of statement on Greyskull the MSM would have distorted it and reduced this story of deceit and corruption to a simple sectarian narrative. He hasn’t given them that opportunity and they don’t like it one bit.
micki67 Fella I see it your way and I hope I am wrong but James Forrest is having the wool pulled over his eyes imo. H.H.
miki67
I’m glad Spence reported that because he’s informing us what they are up to.
James – please mind your language – ‘constitutional shift’ :-)
What ever happened to the Big Tax Case and why are the serious crime squad expanding their investigation into Scottish banking??
Now I’m just an Internet Bampot who likes a conspiracy theory…
Bankers and football clubs is there a link??
Q.why is it so important to save the Empire of the Hun?