The mainstream media, football administrators, football club directors, former football club directors, together with the executives from PR companies, are in a new space this week.
Many of these people have spent over 20 years controlling all important aspects of the media in relations to football in Scotland. Some have established a culture of dependency and fear; at the left of the telephone, or the click of a mouse, they could destroy reputations.
Most of these types backed Craig Whyte when Sir David Murray endorsed him as the right sort to buy Rangers, a situation which remained in place until administrators were appointed last year. Since then they have acted in unison to demonise Whyte, who has been painted as the solely responsible for the downfall of the football club.
Now, thanks to the industrious Charlotte, every underhand conspiracy is in danger of becoming exposed.
Find yourself in the dock over sectarian chanting? Don’t dispute the fact, simply allude to links which didn’t actually exist between the son of a Celtic director and the head of an anti-racism unit. The fact that some think there is an apparent scandal in the son of a Celtic director having links to an anti-racism campaigner is a bizarre thought. There were no links, but why shouldn’t there be, it’s anti-racism were talking here, which football clubs really should have affinity with.
And Oldco Rangers printed this rubbish in a submission to Uefa! Good grief.
Stewart Regan finds himself with a position to defend. One of his responsibilities is to ensure clubs are licenced correctly for Uefa competitions. I am not too exercised with him coordinating a response to this issue with the club concerned, but his assertion that Rangers were legitimately licenced for season 2011-12, despite the Discounted Options Scheme, or Wee Tax Case, seems more than odd.
In order to gain a Uefa licence clubs must have paid all social taxes due by 31 December no later than 31 March. Rangers advisors, Grant Thornton UK LLP, called Rangers £2.8m liability, which was unpaid by 31 March 2011, a “potential liability”, which was subject to discussions between the club and HMRC.
In quite simple terms, a club can call any liability a potential liability, however, this particular liability was very real. If the SFA allow Uefa rules to be circumnavigated by such a self-certified dismissal they are failing their duty to the game.
Mr Regan, the fact of this matter is that the liability was real. What evidence did you see to convince you otherwise? What processes are in place to ensure that a rogue SFA executive cannot rubber stamp a licence when one should not be granted? Can a club simply say “We’re all right, this stuff is under discussion” to make the SFA look the other way?
SFA president, Campbell Ogilvie, was secretary and director of Rangers during the entire operation of the Discounted Options Scheme. He was on the SFA board with oversight duties for ensuring clubs meet Uefa licensing standards when the club were issued with their 2011-12 licence, and he is currently seeking re-election to his post.
If Rangers were denied their licence for 2011-12 Celtic would have been eligible
The chat from PR companies is perhaps the most alarming, for them, of course.
Right now there is a campaign underway to ignore Charlotte. Any journo who takes on such an influential group of interests might is facing down some of the most influential people in the media industry. Here’s a thought for you: I reckon only circa 10% of available material has been looked at. Charlotte is not going away and neither is wee Craigie.
We have a special Father’s Day offer for the Willie Wallace book. Order between now and Thursday morning and we’ll include a Father’s Day card, complete with your own message. See the big graphic to the right..
You can choose from two cards, see explanation and choices here, one with Tony Watt after scoring against some Spanish lot, the other with Billy McNeill receiving some trophy or other.
Click on the button below, enter the text you would like to appear in the middle of the card, and Tony will post your book off in time for Father’s Day.
By common consent, the latest CQN Magazine has been voted the best yet.
For a proper read of the magazine cick here. Use the navigation buttons at the bottom to flick through pages or zoom in.
Order Heart of a Lion with your personalised Father’s Day card here:
[calameo code=0003901713852289beccb lang=en page=1 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
843 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- »
Good morning that last tweet was from Paulo Notino
Chairbhoy @ 08:09 – let’s be havin none of that uncommon common sense on here please! :-)
Driving into work and heard Jane Lewis interviewing Regan about the SFA trying to bring in greater punishment for clubs whose fans are deemed guilty of “offensive behaviour”.
Flares, banners and chanting all listed. The bold Vincent Lunny will now be sitting in judgement on supporters as well as players/managers!
Lewis was clearly on message and I found the whole thing quite alarming and an obvious stitch up.
Can someone put up a link to the radio interview?
Cheers
T4
Taken from E-TIMS.
Celtic Diary Monday June 10
June 10, 2013 · by Ralph Malph · in Diary, Latest
Victor Wanyama has admitted that there are “some talks ” ongoing between his agent, Celtic and a “top European club. ” SSN, of course, reports it as an EPL side, but didn’t dwell on it in case they missed a glimpse of Jose Mourinho , as he seems to be the entire focus of their output today. He’s gone back to Chelsea, for those who haven’t heard, prompting a “Manic Mourinho Monday” Marvellous.
Wanyama says he is still a Celtic player, and knows little or nothing of any actual details, except that there are some talks taking place, and he’ll find out more when he gets home.
Stoke City are the “credible ” bid, Inter Milan the dark horses, and Arsenal the ones who seem most likely. Can’t help remembering that Barcelona asked to be kept informed after the Champions League clashes last year, where Wanyama was outstanding, but they haven’t been mentioned since.
So, will he stay or will he go? He’s clearly uncomfortable talking about it, claiming once or twice that he doesn’t want to talk about it. There was one thing he said that is either worrying , or comforting, depending on how you want to read it.
“If anything comes up that is good for me and good for the club, then I’ll move on. ”
That can be taken a number of ways, but from where I’m sitting, he could be saying if everyones happy, he’ll go. If not, He’s happy to stay. The deal has to be right and the club has to want to sell him.. Although another way of looking at it is it could be a come and get me shout.
Never mind. He was always going to be the subject of bids this summer. He’s too big to lock in Kris Commons toilet, so we might end up losing him.
Amido Balde has flown in for a medical, according to most sources outwith London. He met his uncle after a late night flight from Lisbon, and the pair of them are off to Ross Hall today. The Portuguese forward, at 6 foot 4, will offer something different up front. Thats the theory , anyway.
Crystal Palace, the quaintly named non-achievers from the English capital, have put in a late bid. For reasons best known to themselves.
There has been no movement on the Johnny Russell rumour, the player is now being forced into a train south so that he can have a look at Derby. The East midlands town is famous for a nearby Toyota factory and an American Adventure theme park. In all honesty, having visited the two, its hard to tell them apart.
If Russell has been “allowed ” to move south a Celtic, it means Lennon has his sights on what he considers to be a better player or two. Amido Balde may fit the bill, but James MacFadden doesn’t. The Evening Times says that Celtic may still swoop for the ageing Motherwell forward, but only if we can’t get anyone else. Right now, anyone else does sound a better bet.
Still, you know a story in the Scottish press is less than reliable when it includes words such as “Swoop “, “crack “, and “Rangers .”
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan will look to keep faith with the players who surprised Croatia ( and the rest of us ) with a 1-0 win in Zagreb last Friday. Alan Patullo in the Scotsman, always a good , balanced read, claims that perhaps now Charlie Mulgrew will regret getting pulling out of the squad when Scotland were playing. Charlie was singled out for criticism, when in the only couple of weeks he has off this year, decided to get married, which was difficult to get out of with all the invitations having already been sent.
With a high profile friendly against England in August, Pattullo suggests that Mulgrew may miss out. Then he concedes that he probably will anyway due to Champions League commitments, but didn’t have time to re-write his article, so sent it in anyway.
Know what? Lets have some good news for a change, a bit of positivity.
“I’d like to stay consistently in the Champions League. There is a big emotional element at this club for me, I’ve been ingrained in it for 13 years. It would be a massive wrench for me to go elsewhere. If you could guarantee me being in the Champions League every year with Celtic I’d have no aspirations to go anywhere else. There would be no better place to be and that would satisfy me absolutely. ”
Neil Lennon, speaking in the Sunday Mail. Which no doubt caused some gnashing and wailing amongst their staff.
He’s settled, and that will make it easier for him to persuade others to stay.
Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Rogne hasn’t left Celtic yet. Although he has admitted it seems that way. He still has a month left, and featured in Norways 3-1 u-21 thrashing of favourites England, who were thus eliminated. ( When I say favourites, I mean they are the favourites in England, like they always are. )
“I am just here to enjoy these Euros, play with my friends, and then we will see what happens afterwards. I am not sure about interest from Britain, I’ve got no idea, my focus is on Norway and that is all I am thinking about. ”
If he has been offered a contract at Celtic, he should take it. No-one else seems to want him.
Anthony Stokes has yet to sign a deal, but expects to when he gets back from his holiday. He is raring to go next season after missing last season, and if, as Neil Lennon remarked last wee, he has “matured ” , then he might surprise a few of us. Stokes has ability, there is no doubt of that, but he has lost his way since exploding onto the scene what seems like thousands of years ago. He has the chance to become a legend, but thats up to him.
Elsewhere, the SFA have signed a deal which is worth around £60m for Scotland games to be shown live on Sky TV. Thats good business, because the whole deal for SPL football is very similar. Ah, no wait. Regan , Doncaster, Ogilvie, three sets of fingers and toes equals sixty.
Figured it out now.
Charlotte and the Fakeoovers has been busy this weekend. More tweets revealing allegedly shady goings on over at Mediahouse, who do the PR for Sevco and the Strippers.
Theres no need to go into detail here, but one thing struck me.
Graeme Spiers, the radio, television and newspaper commentator, featured in one of the emails released. He then went on to twitter to confirm its legitimacy.
Now, any reporter with any pride in his profession, on seeing one of these emails that he can personally verify as true, would surely be all over the rest of them?
There has been no coverage of the Charlotte offerings in the press at all.
Does this mean someone has taken out an injunction? If so, who and why?
Theres a lot of nervous people right now involved with the Sevco scandal. Yet none are being taken to task.
No difficult questions, no denials, no rebuttals, just nothing.
Worth reminding them, though, this isn’t going to go away.
I mean, what kind of idiots stiff creditors, including the tax man, for millions, and then set up again as though nothing had happened, and expect to get away with it?
Doesn’t happen in the real world. Hector will get his man.
lionroars67
If Greek football is suspended how does this affect our CL standings? Do we move up a pot?
Not sure if you know the answer but thought I would throw it out there.
LB
Boom………………………….
7 to 1 winner yesterday………………….
BigJoeonthelash
This isn’t the radio interview, but it covers some of the stuff I heard this morning….Regan
T4
Nimmo Smith’s history suggests that he was never the smartest of legal eagles . He was stuck in a cleverly constructed double bind and left to decide which football rule [if any ] had been broken. Sandy Bryson steered the good Lord through the maze and made sure he found the right exit.
asonofdan
06:49 on 11 June, 2013Someone must think Craigy bhoy is Charlotte. An arrest warrant when you are a witness!If he was arrested today he would be held in prison until September.Calling this country a banana republic would be an insult to dictators everywhere.
Naw he widnae….
Although in respect of the SFA it is…!
Ayrshire is Green and White..
I wonder what team the judicial official in Sneckie supports…;-)
re: footballing authorities – when will misfeasance in public office be investigated?
LiviBhoy
09:08 on
If Greek football is suspended how does this affect our CL standings? Do we move up a pot?
===========
More likely, an urn.
iki
Nice one. LOL
Congratulations to my oul’ fella,in his mid-70s and playing his local course Kelburne in Largs.
ONLY HIT A HOLE-IN-ONE!!!!!!
I doubt he can remember much about it after the obligatory celebrations,but I bet that won’t stop him telling me all about it….
Well done,Dad-chuffed to bits for you!
Iki
would it not be an amphora?
A’m for a end to these greecian jokes.
Morning all.
‘How much does a Greek urn?!’
Coat on!
HH!!
Everyone a classic Big Nan ya fellow Fife resident!
iki
09:18 on
11 June, 2013
LiviBhoy
09:08 on
If Greek football is suspended how does this affect our CL standings? Do we move up a pot?
===========
Smashin’
HH
Hello again.
SO – can we expect RC O’gilvie to be re-elected today?
– can we expect some clubs to abstain from the vote?
– can we expect ANYONE to put forward a motion of no confidence?
– can we expect ANYTHING of any significance to take place? Eg – a baying mob of
angry, disenfranchised and disillusioned supporters, armed with sharpened
pitchforks and blazing torches and calling for the heads of Ogilvie and the rest of the
masonic cabal?!
What do you mean NO?!
Aye – move along Timmy!
HH!!
scunneredCSC
BMCUWP
well done tae yer auld mhan, any chance he could take a few shots for me at the cqn open on Friday :-)
TALLYBHOY
I think the club should be at the forefront of any moves against Ogilvie in particular,and the SFA in general,but maybe they would prefer not to be seen to be leading the fight.
It would,in their opinion,be used against them-and it is difficult to argue against that.
However,lancing the boil has to be done-and if we don’t,who will?
There is clearly an appetite in the game not to rock the boat but ffs,it’s the effin’ Titanic we’re on at the moment!
As Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth,joooost get on wi’ it….
Lionroars67 @ 6.58
No doubt that page of eulogies contaained something for every Celtic fan. Being on the less emotional side of the support, my favourite was:
““Being a Celtic supporter is not always easy, but it is always worthwhile.”
Fergus McCann
JJ (Aff oot on the bike)
PS Am I correct in thinking that we have not yet signed Balde?
BMCUW
” As Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth,joooost get on wi’ it….”
It is true that we learn something every day on CQN. I know the play extremely well yet I never knew that line. Thanks for the education .
JJ
MIDFIELD MAESTRO
Cheers,mate-he is one very happy Hoop this morning.
As for Friday,I reckon he would spend all day wi PFAYR,BLANTYRETIM,and OLDTIM67. Not recommended to let him out too far away from my Mum’s gimlet-like glare….
I hope you and the troops have a smashing dayoooot on Friday,fingers crossed for clement-but-not-too-hot weather.
Johnny Russell .
Wee flurry of delighted posts on a Catania blog re the news that Russell has signed for Derby . Utter prejudice re a player that most would never have seen .
Much GIRUY delight re the news that Lafferty [ he’s Northern Irish ! ] might be Gattuso’s first signing for relegated Palermo .
One blogger [ Gaddafi ] says —— “Hope it happens ——- hope those *******s are heading for Serie C “
Balde – I believe – is having a medical at Ross Hall this morning.
HH!!
JUNGLE JIM
I may have been guilty of paraphrasing,but Will could have done wi a bitta brevity sometimes!
JUNGLE JIM
Are you off to Aberdour on Friday as well?
Gonna be more TIMS there than made it to the final at this rate!
Anyone trying for Liverppol tickets ?
Mate says season ticket holders able to purchase now on official site but will not let him
How much does our ole Grecian urn?
MSM…………………………………..’Crystal Palace launch late bid for Balde’
NeverFails CSC
*Avoids doing next post*
It would be ironic if ole RC gets re-elected – on the day before the anniversary of their death.
bsr
How very dare you!
I would refer you to my post @0929 on this thread!
A cyber letter from my legal representative should be with you shortly!
HH!!
plagiarismCSC
Happy 80th Birthday to Gene Wilder
Tally
Sorry – lost my marbles
Kenny Sheils contract with kilmarnock has been terminated
WhoGivesA CSC
Is there another article somewhere?
Big congratulations to BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS’ auld man on his hole in one! Well done him.
I don’t think we have ever had a hole in one during the CQN Open (or am I wrong here?), perhaps this will be the year?
Got my tee time for Aberdour, nice and early – 10:30 with my mate Clarkie and Steelica.
Leaving Turra at 06:00, so I may fall asleep on the first tee! Should be down there for 9-ish, plenty of time for tea, bacon rolls and a wee warm up. Then out to hack my way round a lovely wee track.
Looking forward to the whole day, meeting old friends again, making new ones, enjoying the craic, food, drink, and the evening speeches from Paul67 and Willie Wallace! Just need Taggsy to sort out the weather now . . . . .
Clury