“The tax default and reporting rules are an integral part of maintaining a fair league competition”.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, November 2014.
“A fair league competition”. Strong words. I wonder if Mr Doncaster is keen to apply his ethics as evenly when it comes to a team with more than a couple of thousand fans. Don’t bet on it.
I suggested last week you ignore the comments coming out of Hampden about there being little appetite to look into the enormous levels of cheating which we now know went on is our game for over a decade. There is very little appetite from those occupying executive positions at Hampden, but they will not decide what happens.
Ultimate authority at the SFA and SPFL lies with the clubs, and more than just Celtic are alarmed by what went on, and the apparent flippancy show towards it in recent days by those paid to protect the honesty and reputation of our game.
Instincts exist within any organisation to protect itself. We’ve seen this play out in the Church (against their own), the police (against their own), Fifa (against their own), so it should be no surprise that those who worked, and became friends with, some of the architects of Rangers EBT scandal had little appetite to open an investigation.
An SFA or SPFL commission could lead to the disciplining of two-term SFA president, Campbell Ogilvies, or Sir David Murray, men who have made friends in the game for decades.
It would inevitably lead to the examination of the Resolution 12 issue (how Rangers were granted a licence to compete in the Champions League in 2011 when they didn’t meet the criteria). And this one is current enough to involve many still active in their roles.
And then there is the weighty matter of dealing with the consequences of what went on in our sport for all those years.
The demand of an investigation into what went on sounds reasonable but you cannot look into something corrupt without consequences, and that’s where corrupt systems work against fair competition.
Rangers rigged the system, their practises are as clear-cut a case of Financial Doping as you will find. They were playing by different rules, different tax rules and different player registration rules.
They failed to disclose information which should have been disclosed, but could have incriminated them. Unlike Craig Whyte, who was banned from the game for his duplicities, the directors who embarked on this great subversion have never been called to account.
Nor will they unless voices are heard across Scottish football. Don’t lose focus on getting angry (not yet, anyway), right now, we need fans of other clubs to share our concerns and let their voices be heard. Winning allies is the first part of winning this debate, and that’s easier done by calmly making our point.
11 clubs suffered financial consequences of Rangers Financial Doping. Motherwell lost a minimum of £2.1m from not gaining access to European competition. How would they feel if they were a cyclist half a mile behind Lance Armstrong in every race? Would if be OK, as he didn’t get caught?
There’s a Christmas toy collection for Maryhill Foodbank at Wild Cabaret, THIS Saturday, 14 November, from midday to 4:30. Families who don’t have money for food don’t have money for Christmas toys. If you have something you can donate, drop it in. There’s mulled wine and mince pies on the go.
You’ll find Wild Cabaret at 18 Candleriggs (0141 552 6165).
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If a boycott was to be organised it would have to be well orchestrated. Nothing would damage the message we want to get across more than a half arsed attempt.
HH
Any action devised must unite….not divide. The Celtic support have never successfully boycotted.
just get supporters behind a banner that appeals to many.
The Dugs of War right enough. With apologies if already posted from the John James site.
“Witnesses in the Rangers Tax Tribunal hearing were assigned a colour cipher. The testimony of Mr Black was particularly revealing. By way of introduction, the Law Lords were provided with the following precis of his career at Rangers:
“While Mr Black had been involved in ‘signing and selling’ 350-400 players in 20 years of involvement at Rangers, he had not, and could not, because of all his commitments, devote any real time to detailed contractual negotiations. At the start of each football season he would meet with his manager to decide on which players might be possible recruits.
Only one individual matches this description. Sir David Murray.
Mr Murray did not consider the Employment Benefit Trusts as a means of tax avoidance, but rather as a means of retaining and rewarding loyal employees. According to Mr Murray the EBT enabled the club to attract players who would not otherwise have been obtainable. During cross examination, Mr Murray denied that the scheme was for tax avoidance. He described the policy as ‘a method of us acquiring, especially football wise, better players in a more cost effective manner than we would be able to do so’; that the club had been ‘very ambitious at that time’; and ‘it was seen as a correct and proper way for us to proceed’; that Rangers ‘have been very successful, because we’ve been able to attract players of a certain standard that, perhaps, we may not have been able to otherwise’.”
This correct and proper way has been ruled as illegal by the highest court in Scotland. Not only did Mr Murray introduce an illegal method of tax evasion, he charged Rangers £500,000 per annum for his EBT insights and helped himself to £6.3m.
The Law Lords characterized the testimony of the colour-coded former Rangers executives as “obstructive, unhelpful and evasive.” The Law Lords came to the conclusion that the former Rangers executives engaged in an enterprise to systematically evade tax on an industrial scale.
It follows that as it has been established as illegal in law, it contravened the SFA articles of association. Rangers, by Mr Murray’s admission, engaged in this strategy to gain a sporting advantage. These findings not only rebut the privately commissioned conclusions of Lord Nimmo Smith, but as they are legally binding, they render the LNS report as irrelevant and unsound.
I wonder what colour was assigned to Campbell Ogilvie. Mr Murray’s fellow ‘reservoir dog.’ Red, as an abbreviation for red-handed, would be apposite. Whilst a director of Rangers, Mr Red was the treasurer of the SFA. Should we be thankful that Mr Red did not encourage executives of the SFA to engage in tax evading EBT? If we are we should be far from thankful with the information he withheld and redacted to reduce the LNS report to a travesty.
The problem for Rangers is that since Mr Doncaster has publicly stated that we are the same club, sanctions could be applied to the team under Mr Warburton’s command. A significant points penalty could be imposed. The silverware is in the cross-hairs of four clubs represented on the SPFL board.
Mr Black will soon be giving evidence in the trial of Mr Green and Mr White.
The reservoir dogs that engaged in a heist at Rangers were Messrs Black, Red, Green and White.”
Clowns to the Left of Me CSC
You want a boycott, you pick Killie away, 6k Celtic fans easier to organise, doesn’t hurt our club financially, hurts a scumbag club (as a bonus), gets a message across, it’s a league game so result doesn’t really matter (though I’m of the opinion that we’d still win).
No chance of it ever happening though.
Rwe
Delighted with Tony’s award.
HH No one walks alone.
A fitting testament to your son.
IF you want a boycott to work, make it unified with both teams fans boycotting
HT is not to get a ticket either :-)
HH
CRC
gearoid1998
If the blogs got to talking about it, all the blogs, not just Celtic ones, it wouldn’t take long for the media to take heed, each club could organise a boycott of one game that suits, I would choose Killie away.
IMO, the threat would be enough for the suits at the respective clubs to pay heed, they did a couple of years ago when the fans threatened to not buy season books, nothing like taking the cash away to focus attention.
It would be easy enough to organise in reality, a quick perusal of the other club blogs tonight tells me that they are beelin, the hun statement tonight has galvanised them it seems.
HH
Lambert gets best newcomer mint sauce award
Right, that’s me for the night.
Sleep well Timland
HH
And feck them
Gearoid1998
Thank you for those very kind words.
:o)
NOWA
So that was a long trip for me here yesterday. Well done Celts. Enjoy the break wherever you can.
Has any Celtic fan, yet, thanked you Celts for keeping my team on top of the league? Thanks guys. People like me will be there when you play again.
I just loved this Charlie Nicholas type nugget from the John James Reservoir Dogs piece above…
“He (SDM) described the policy as ‘a method of us acquiring, especially football wise, better players in a more cost effective manner than we would be able to do so’;”
Eh ‘scuse me Sir Minty, but how else would you assess a footballer as being better other than “football wise”?
Gang of Four on the SPFL Board CSC
quonno on 9th November 2015 8:47 pm
latchford on 9th November 2015 8:42 pm
Could be wrong. But I don’t thing Walter had EBT.
*don’t think he had a side letter, that’s the straw that broke the humphy backed camel. He trusted bader whereas the foreign players didnae hence the letters.
TET
If you’re still about. 100% right. The Danger (and one of the strategies sure to be employed by a compliant andhurting SMSM) is that this is just sour grapes on our part. If all fans could get involved in a boycott to show that this form of cheating is viewed in the same way as the cheating highlighted today in Track and Field, although much more systematic and perpetrated over a 10 year period then we could be onto a winner. Problem is that the people who need to be targeted are the SFA and a cup semi hits the spot on that one.
A further danger is that away boycotts may alienate the very fans who we need onside. Although I have to say Killie away is a good call (Huns without the bus fare).
Rwe
The picture of Tony at the RM game was poignant. May perpetual light shine upon his soul.
HH
Here’s a list of EBT recipients. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/revealed-the-former-rangers-players-paid-1447843
Turkeybhoy on 9th November 2015 11:07 pm.
I agree that a Boycott, but only by ALL 4 SEMI FINAL TEAMS would have a startling and unavoidable reaction.
TV and advertising would be shocked into commenting and I believe the financial penalty would not fall on the 4 competing teams.
Talk and comment amongst ourselves will not bring about the desired effect.. Make no mistake, our enemy is formidable, a staunchly imbedded old boys network, supported to the hilt by almost 100% of the written and broadcast media will require a monumental task to remove and alter.
This is a fight to finish.. loose and the game we love will be lost forever.
HH.
Andy Kerins.
Coming up on the inner rail may I present Chris Sutton for the best newcomer. Although Chris does have previous. For a while I thought he had been rehabilitated. Today’s comments put him beyond redemption.
There was a comment made by GBShaw (I think) “Put an Irishman on a spit and you will always get another Irishman to turn him”. Looks like same can be said of ex Celts while deadybears tend to remain loyal. I always put it down to the personal ramifications of breaking ranks on EBTs. The good thing is I think we might just be about to find out.
HH and Oiche Mhaith
Paul67
Great article .
You must engage in a campaign to increase pressure on the powers that be , to have the tainted titles withdrawn from Glasgow Rangers.
As a minimum standard.
They should then be awarded to the runners up in each competition.
If the SFA fail to do this.
Then Celtic should sue the SFA
For loss of European income etc,etc.
TT
mike in toronto on 9th November 2015 11:15 pm
Hang on,pal.
Dinnae flounce.
I`ve just across your reply re. Schroedinger`s Cat and will now google said moggie.
What it could possibly have to do with the price of the D.R.,however,I don`t know.
Turkeybhoy on 9th November 2015 11:07 pm
Not for me this comment
Been at every game, no details passed anywhere (yet). I’ll be at Hampden with my boy (unless sister’s connection to the retiree’s sailing boat on the great lakes pans out for stupid business connections in Glasgow who yearn to survey soccer and leave me outside).
Anyway, Celtic forever.
Gearoid1998
For the RM game he actually traveled alone by train from Charlotteville, Virginia to Philadelphia with Jake his black lab service dog. He wanted to do it this way to prove something to himself.
Thanks again.
NOWA
G’night CQN.
War, what is it good for?
Satan is having a field day these Last Days.
Enjoy watching the Celtic as much as you can, you don’t know how lucky you are.
HH all Celts in every Continent.
I’m expecting sanctions for sevco, certainly by the end of next week, for not paying the LNS fine and for not paying players under contract during preseason. The latter up before the beaks shortly. You can imagine they will use this as everybody’s against us. It’s unraveling.
The Scene is set.
It’s DC Thompson CQN circa 1969.
Maggie O’CQN (she’s a ride. No like her homely sister Phat Daphne (see what I did there?))
has her new American Boyfriend over for CQN Golf and drinks. His name is Lance Naeclu.
Maggie: So how do you like our world famous O’CQN internet bampots Lance?
Lance: It’s great Maggie! I am learning about how the O’CQN bampots originated.
Granpaw: Aye laddie we O’CQN’rs have aye been great at the bampotting. There’s nae greater bampots than us O’CQN’rs.
Hen+Joe O’CQN: Wink! Wink!
Granpaw: Aye! And the best Bampot of them awe wiz Big Black Bampot himself. Awa back in the days o’ Bonnie Prince Bampot. Aye he wiz a bonnie O’CQN’r.
Granpaw: One day Bonnie Prince Bampot and his bampotettes were suroonded by huns..ootnumbered 4 to wan! But Big Black Bampot wizny worried. No him!
Lance: Gosh!
Granpaw: He started daein his ain special Highland fling, hooching and burlin and typing.
Jings! those huns wiz mesmerized!
They couldnae take their eyes aff Big Black Bampot.
{He looks non focussed to the celing in his O’CQN single end
in Dundee overwhelmed and teary eyed by images of Rob Roy
Jockenstein’s 1967 claymore being weilded}
Granpaw: They couldna take their eyes aff Big Black Bampot and it was a piece of cake fur
wee Hughie O’CQN tae nip ahent them an club them with his musket fife and drum as
he wiz in the Green Brigades subdivision ken.
Lance: Ken?
Granpaw: Aye I know I get awe verklempt masel. Onywye Bonnie Prince Bampot wiz so pleased that he
got awe his journalists an made em write a history that wiz commensurate tae awe
and at the same time write oan a blog in memory of Big Black Bampot and they still dae tae this day!
Lance: Big Black bampot is dead?
Granpaw: Aye. Shyte story son but giez us awe the chance of a piss up.Here we go….
The O’CQN reel. Still spelt the same wye back in the bampot days.
Step we gayly through the orifi heel by heel and toe fur toe
Lance: Gosh! Wait till I tell the folks back home. You’re no Bulgarian communists at all.
Maw: Awe Granpaw’s a right fibber! What a rebel.
Scene 2
Later. After Maggie and Lance go for a…talk.
Paw: Ya auld lying turd!
Granpaw: 2 cigars bent shot. Piss off.
Horace: It wiz a lot of keech anyway. Says here that the CQN internet bampots began in Kerrydale sumthin.
Wean O’CQN: ya didna belive him did ya?
Hen+Joe O’CQN: Wink! Wink!
Just read a piece on the jonjamessite stating if titles are stripped, sevco would appeal to the SFA and they would veto the decision and instruct the SPFL to apply another sanction.
Great opportunity awaits us as fans of CELTIC for a boycott of his meaningless mickey mouth trophy…..this is the chance we have been waiting for after all the shit which as been thrown at us over the years……..don’t even bother turning up to their crap stadium …..have a family day out…..nuff is enuff.
mouth = mouse
Was chatting about the tainted trophies with my elder son…
Turns out we both think the same…
Strip the trophies and do not re-allocate them to us or anyone else.
I don’t want your tainted trophies for my team.
I would much rather have a Paul Larkin type Asterisk beside those years forever and “No trophy awarded after being stripped from them because of cheating.”
Not original I know but …
Both sons often said how grateful they were to be raised as Celtic fans. They couldn’t imagine their lives being as fulfilling and rich otherwise…
An Occasional Embarrassment and a Permanent Disgrace CSC
(courtesy of Ian Archer who was way ahead of his time in the SMSM)
NOWA
I find it grotesque,that on the day Sky News is salivating over the doping scandal in Russia,the Bundesliga Chief being done for Tax Evasion and forced to resign,Campbell Ogilvie anyone?,that they all look the other way as the biggest scandal in British Sport is in danger of being buried under a load of tosh being orchestrated by Sevco,Level 5,and MSM,and broadcast media.
Who can we expect to stand up for all the supporters of Scottish football?
Somebody has to bite the bullet.
Shuggiebhoy67
Sky take no notice of Scottish subscribers so this attitude is entirely in keeping with their patronising view of folk and events Scottish.
RWE, didn’t forward my congrats re Tony’s fantastic award and recognition re but I still bask in the vicarious ‘ pride’ and tell all and sundray… Is that ok?Credit/load is low or I would have called…
Best wishes J….
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
The brand new concept for Scottish football
For my multiple sins, I am listening to Sportsound’s podcast.
The discussion between Wilson and Speirs is enlightening.
Speirs is trying to be the fair judge and Wilson the dyed in the wool bigot.
What all have failed to highlight is the following:
Rangers (IL) failed to notify the SFA of the side letters in both the EBT and DOS years.
And DOS has no connections with an IBM operating system.
They consistently and continually misled the SFA and had numerous infractions.
The LNS judgement upheld that and levied a fine. It’s supposedly unpaid.
This is an area which we should turn our forensic spotlights.
Is this included in Res12?
If not can Celtic pursue answers from the SFA?
If not why not?
Let’s not highlight the emotive word CHEAT, which of course they are.
Let’s instead focus on their non compliance to the rules which soiled and sullied the playing field.
Let’s punish them for that and leave the tax judgement to the authorities.
Financial Fair Play
Football and finance have often sat uneasily together. But with some of our clubs under intense financial pressure, it is no surprise that questions about ‘financial fair play’ have once again been raised in the context of Scottish football.
Crucial to an understanding of financial fair play, is an appreciation of why it is vital that clubs live within their means. This blog is an attempt to set out what is meant by ‘financial fair play’, and why prompt payment of players, the taxman and other member clubs is so important to football as a whole.
‘Financial fair play’ is a phrase that is often trotted out in football circles. It was one of 11 key values presented by UEFA President Michel Platini to the 2009 UEFA Congress. Its stated aim was to “restore well-being to the European club game”.
But what does ‘financial fair play’ really mean? UEFA’s explanation, in 2010, was that the concept would require clubs to balance their books over the medium term, not spend more than they earn, and operate within their financial means.
This is all seen as important for one key reason: because any club that is spending more on players than they can afford, is automatically gaining a sporting advantage over every other club it competes with. Whether the precise system of measurement used by UEFA is perfect is a moot point. But the logic behind the principle however is, I think, broadly sound. And it is this same principle that explains the position of the SPL.
To turn a blind eye, to allow clubs to continually fail to make prompt payments as they fall due, would be to allow those clubs to gain an unfair sporting advantage over all those other clubs that pay their players, the taxman and other clubs on time. That is one of the reasons why, whenever the SPL receives a request from players to adjudicate on their contracts, it has a duty to do so.
The fundamental basis of any football league is that all member clubs are treated equally. But, increasingly, leagues across the world are going further. In England, for example, the Football League routinely imposes a player embargo on clubs who fail to pay their players in full and on time. And, in League Two, clubs have accepted limits on the amounts that they can spend, relative to their income.
The whole issue of ‘financial fair play’ will no doubt continue to be developed across the whole of football. In the meantime, it is vital that the Scottish Premier League continue to treat all member clubs even-handedly.
It may put the SPL in the uncomfortable position of having to rule against member clubs in certain instances. Whenever we are requested by professional players to adjudicate on their contracts, for example, we should continue to do so. And, where appropriate, to rule in the players’ favour and to make orders for on-time payment by our member clubs.
The integrity of the entire League – and the long-term interests of all 12 member clubs within it – demands that we do just that.
More widely though, it is important that we keep the whole issue of financial fair play firmly in the spotlight. Improving our rule book and making it less likely that our member clubs end up in financial difficulty in the first place should continue to be a priority. And with this in mind, all 12 SPL member clubs will meet this Monday. On the agenda will be our existing rules on financial fair play and whether our current rule book needs improvement in the face of the financial challenges being faced by several member clubs.
If agreement in principle is reached, this could mean our clubs voting on new, tougher, rules on financial fair play at a general meeting, either in April or July this year. It will be a difficult debate. But it is vital that we do not shy away from these issues or bury our heads in the sand.
It may be uncomfortable to address these thorny problems head-on. But the long-term health and prosperity of Scottish football demands that we do just that.
Neil Doncaster
Chief Executive, Scottish Premier League
July 2012
http://web.archive.org/web/20120715015422/http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=s109
Neil Lennon etc
And was there any follow up from Mr Doncaster.
Now for my two stupid questions of the night.
1. Why is Derek Johnstone given air time?
2. Why am I listening to Radio Clyde’s Monday Podcast?
Answers on a $100 note please.
Doncaster and Regan
Well, you can’t really dust for vomit
Quote of the night from Mensa candidate Derek Johnstone
“The men in charge at Ibrox know what they are doing.”
Mensa have file Derek’s application in the appropriate basket.
The Barca Mole
This is a first I think, A direct wanveewan between us on the hallowed CQN green field.
Bask away, bask away. You are a mentor for him on here and have a bask credit line.
We are Jeb Bush’s Home State foe the next 12 days trying to get a recharge.
Two thirds of Martin’s family went to see the Panthers v Packers game on Sunday, leaving us to look after the last third, The twins were magical and we were exhausted with a huge smile. Laughter from children is a cure for a sad heart,
Gearoid1559
Was just saying how his picture at the RM game was very poignant. We have always thought that between us two but to hear yer man say it….was and continues to be a significant composure breaker. :o)
HH