“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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“These blast points — too accurate for sandpeople.
Only imperial stormtroopers are so precise.”
In the good old days there would have been no need for a statement, they would just give Campbell Ogilvie a quick call, tell him what they wanted and that would have been the end of the matter. Changed days indeed, Hang em High.
Neganon 1.19.
I agree with your post.
The most obvious example recently was Muir the ref ignoring blatant hand ball. Celtic fans in uproar, but nothing from the club as they didn’t want to rock the boat.
I was at Dingwall yesterday, I reckon about 10 people made some noise during the silence, even then it was intermittent, with silly shouts.
Some of noise would be others asking them to be quiet.
From Keef’s latest cartoon in this morning’s Radar:
‘What is certain is that Dave King’s regime would be likely to go full nuclear if any attempted grab was made on their trophy room. King and his men will be incensed at the notion of it but there seems little to be gained from these two sides squaring up to one another or playing to their foaming mouthed galleries.’
I’m almost shaking too much in fear to be able to type this comment.
Having said which, part of me would gladly pay top dollar to watch eejits like DK and his retinue going ‘full nuclear’.
Also: a serious question: does anyone know if there is a special ludge for MSM journalists?
In what dark dungeon do they secretly meet to agree their party line … ?
VIP
Heid Poon CSC
Can someone post the Sevco statement. Ta.
What should be happening…
1. Nothing formal until the appeal period has lapsed (or invoked)
2. Informally, building a coalition of clubs who wish the matter investigated
3. If found guilty (don’t laugh), setting appropriate punishment(s)
4. Won trophies expunged (not reawarded). The engraver to blank the trophy years
5. Individuals sine died from Scottish football officials and players
6. Those in 5 can be redeemed by repaying all their loans to BDO to pay creditors (incl HMRC)
7. Officials of SFL/SPFL and SFA if found wanting/complicit to be removed and replaced
8. SFA reform group established under new and non-aligned people of some integrity
9. Suitable apologies and contrition issued from the offending bodies
Then we can welcome back Rangers 3 (assuming in the interim 2 has gone bust) if they accept the one way agreement (you are a new club with no history) starting again in div 2.
HH
proudbhoy on 9th November 2015 8:16 am
Macjay
Remembering the murdering British army isn’t something I would do nor would I disrupt those who wish to. The Fault should be laid at door of the SFA and uefa.
*nothing to do with UEFA, chelski didnae have poppy on their strip midweek in the CL. It’s an SFA/EPL thing.
THETOKENTIM
I forgot to wish you a
HAPPY HOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY
yesterday.
Sorry,mate.
But then,yer past the age of celebrating them anyway(!)
Hope you had a belter-and managed to be available for your party,for a change!
Programme on 5Live tonight about the cheating in athletics. Some of the athletes who missed out on medals will be on. Presumably they will say that the winners should keep their medals as they won them “on the track”. Or maybe they will ask the cheats what should happen – let them decide themselves if they should be punished. Or maybe just ask Steven Thompson……
On 8 June 2011 it was confirmed that Ogilvie would take up the presidency of the Scottish Football Association, succeeding George Peat. He relinquished the post in June 2015, when he was succeeded by Alan McRae.
In March 2012 Ogilvie admitted to being a member of the Employee Benefit Trust scheme at Rangers when he was both a Director of Rangers as well as the treasurer of the Scottish Football Association.
Wow, just read Rangers Tax Case’s latest tweet and link to King’s statement in 2012. Financial reparation to the game and an apology he says back then for what he understands would be reasonably perceived as unfair competitive advantage. (From a position at the time of course of having nothing to do with newco)
The SPFL and SFA could levy a monstrous fine. The clubs could take their own action for damages and all of these be lodged with BDO. Collectively the millions claimed could exceed the HMRC debt. The court could reduce the Sale and Purchase Agreement, Ibrox would revert to the creditors, HMRC take the bulk of cash pot and the clubs take Ibrox and Murray Park……..
Ach, make up the rest yourself, it’s a riot.
Glad to see British transport police are on the ball,. Twenty men got on at Lancaster,they may have been on their way to the sevco game in Glasgow and began singing religiously offensive songs. These men are now being sought. How many stations are there between Lancaster & Glasgow ? Was two hours not enough to raise a possee and be standing on platform 4 waiting for them ?
And here’s me worrying about jooking on at gilmour St and going to Johnstone without a ticket(allegedly)
GlassTwoThirdsFull on 9th November 2015 1:33 pm Can someone post the Sevco statement. Ta.
Here you go, this is not a wind-up:
THE SPFL Board has stated they held a conference call to be given a factual update on the Court of Session EBT ruling and so it would be remiss of the Rangers Board not to state the Club’s view.
The first thing to be said is that Rangers has made it clear it wishes to reach out and work with all clubs to help revitalise Scottish football, which has also suffered in recent years. There is much to be done and Rangers wants to be part of the way forward.
Our game has to become more attractive to potential sponsors and partners if the finance levels required are to be generated but this can only be done if we present a coherent and united strategy. Therefore, a line must be drawn now if we are all to prosper.
It is our irrevocable belief that this Club’s history, including its many successes, is beyond debate. Rangers cannot countenance or accept any talk, attempts or actions designed to undermine what this Club has achieved throughout its long history.
So, as far as this Club is concerned there is no need for further SPFL consideration of court judgements or appeals. They should be saying it is time for everyone to move on and work together for the greater good of the game. Scottish football has suffered enough.
Some excellent stuff from the clumpany….
“Lance Armstrong: No Case To Answer. Other people rode their bikes quickly too.”
“Ben Johnson: No Case To Answer. Other people wore running spikes too”
“Eric Cantona: No Case To Answer. Martial arts were an increasingly popular pastime in the 1990s”
“Al Capone: No Case To Answer. He was too busy doing good works to pay his taxes”
“Dracula: No Case To Answer. We all get really thirsty sometimes”
“Dick Dastardly: No Case To Answer. He never stood a chance with a name like that”
Keep up the good work!
Has Sir Minty saved the Scottish steel industry yet?
Dumbhoy if those points came to pass I for one would be relatively satisfied , although rangers 3 ?
With the Griffalo on his current good run, does anyone know what the record is for goals in successive games for the famous Celts?
Keech Jackshun and Matt Lindsay (brass) neck and (brass) neck for the inaugural gravy/mint sauce boat award.
That Rangers feel the need to comment is good. Regardless of the press agenda of mirth and magic, someone with the power sees the need to do something. We won those titles on the pitch not in the courtroom The players we got weren’t very good and we therefore had no sporting advantage Some of the players weren’t on EBTs and don’t deserve to have medals stripped The rule book might not cover this. Other clubs are failing so removing titles would just be to cover this up If you take our titles we will take or naw elsewhere. Rangers have been punished enough And the best yet – Rangers were just unlucky that their tax advice was duff and other clubs got away with it!
The threat to go nuclear and just collapse the club would be great. Please proceed.
They cheat and bring Scottish football to its knees ( their words) then blame everyone else but themselves.
Never mind how much they have cost HMRC but how much have that entity now cumulatively cost other clubs in total through EBT cheating and their (sic) liquidation years? Lost sponsorship, tv revenue etc? They done it to themselves.
TONTINE TIM on 9TH NOVEMBER 2015 1:34 PM
—
But they allow the SFA and English FA to carry on with the whole poppy propaganda . They could easily step in.. I don’t expect them to obviously.
Pretty sure their stance was no politics in football.. When it suits them of course.
dbbina
have ye used this one yet…
“You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.”
prestonpans bhoys
Are you Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo in disguise?
That’s got to be a wind-up …
VIP
PAUL67
One of your best,mate.
Stockholm Syndrome,cronyism,corruption by association,I dunno.
It sure seems that everyone who gravitates to a position of authority in Scottish football eventually has a default of Rangers in their plan for a successful future.
Of course,this might be down to the blazer mentality which was always prevalent in the SFA. Or it might be down to the fact that Murray was advised of this early on and moved heaven and earth to put place-men into positions of authority from his early days at Ibrox.
Whichever,plenty have taken the shilling while others ran away with millions. The shilling is scant reward for a ruined career and perhaps removal of pension,etc.
The millions,I hope,have been spent.
Place-men did their stuff out of loyalty,and will suffer by a lack of reward in the future-their pension,etc-but the real beneficiaries are likely to find out one of the real bastards about playing Monopoly.
Do not pass go. Do not collect £200. Go direct to jail.
Strange thing,innit? They can Lord it over us as much as they like,and they do. They revel in it.
But they always forget…
Our day will come.
RRDH- steaddy on.
We’re meant to be movin’ forward thegither for the good of the game, presentin’ an ole united and coherent strategy.
I could put this down to pompous arrogance and the we are the people attitude they have, but to me this is thems more or less saying “try it and you’ll soon see what happens” make no mistake about this letter or statement, they are threatening every club in Scotland, shocking, not one bit of contrition as usual.
So, as far as this Club is concerned there is no need for further SPFL consideration of court judgements or appeals. They should be saying it is time for everyone to move on and work together for the greater good of the game. Scottish football has suffered enough. – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/doncaster-on-maintaining-a-fair-league-competition/comment-page-2/#comments
Phils up.
Last week Rangers (1872-2012) lost a court case involving millions of pounds.
This week Sevco could lose a court case involving millions of pounds.
Charles of Normandy will be legally represented to see who will pay those who will, well, legally represent him.
Should Rangers International Football Club (RIFC) lose this then it will be another hammer blow to the financially fragile outfit created by, well, Charles Green.
Of course, The People think that all is well.
That is what they have been told by their betters, and as we have seen over the last five years, they are nothing if not a credulous subculture.
If they are allowed to wade up to their knees in the blood of their preferred Irish Untermenschen and have a seasonal supply of Poppy porn, then they’re happy.
This statement today from the new club reeks of the old Ibrox arrogance.
It is something that clearly TUPED over with the stadium, the training ground and, of course, Broxy Bear.
We all, apparently, have to move along as there is nothing here to see.
Except that there is.
And it is that for ten years the professional game in Scotland was rigged in a way that would make an Italian footie godfather blush.
There was some natural justice that Rangers died due to unpaid taxes, because it was their decade-long fiscal delinquency that led them into the hands of Craig Whyte.
The Contingent Liability of the Big Tax Case made the original Rangers unsellable to anyone but an insolvency impresario like the Suave Billionaire.
Since the Ibrox club died what has been unleashed on Planet Fitba since 2012 can only be described in that wonderful word that the Italians gave us.
Fiasco.
All roads in this Ibrox saga leads to Hampden.
For both the final years of Rangers and the birth of Sevco have a common theme, and that is the lack of proper oversight by the governing bodies.
The man who was in the room in 1999 when the tax evasion strategy was embarked upon by Rangers was also the president of the SFA when Charles of Normandy sought approval for his unnatural creation.
When Mr Ogilvie left Rangers in 2005, the EBT scam had its highest recorded numbers.
When the Ibrox club were owing to HMRC in the summer of 2011 for the Discounted Options Scheme, the Scottish Football Association should have informed UEFA.
Consequently, Rangers should NOT have had a licence to play in UEFA competitions that season.
Of course denial of that guaranteed European revenue would have tipped the Whyte regime over into insolvency rather quickly.
This is despite the fact that the Daily Radar had established that the Motherwell chap was a billionaire.
Yeah, I’m sure I read that.
Last week on the day of the Big Tax Case ruling RIFC published their accounts that revealed to the world that they are a loss making business without a credit line from Bank.
I have been told by an accountancy friend that there are a few interesting time bombs contained therein.
He has promised to boil it down to understandable terms for me.
When I have that, I will pass it onto you, dear reader.
Tomorrow evening is his deadline, and he’s a good guy.
I was in the media tent at the Web Summit in Dublin when I was emailed from a colleague to tell me that Hector had won the appeal against Rangers.
I didn’t have much time to digest that information as I was on NUJ duty.
Those events were still swirling around Twitter the next day when I had to head off into one of the main venues to hear writer Dan Brown explain how he weaves page turning thrillers to order.
I found him likeable and engaging, and consequently I crossed the conference site to hear him again, this time musing on the conflict between religion and science.
As I trudged back to the media tent, I re-read my initial response on Hector’s victory over EBT FC.
The thought struck me that the collapse of Ibrox cultural edifice was a masterpiece worthy of Leonardo himself.
However, if you read the Daily Radar you will have to be able to decode it, or you will drown in the bullshit.
The people who brought you Craig Whyte, the billionaire, are now telling you that a decade of tax evasion that paid for top class players had no real bearing on the titles won by those footballers.
Actually the one about the billionaire with no money was more believable…
Jungle VIP on 9th November 2015 1:50 pm
prestonpans bhoys
Are you Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo in disguise?
That’s got to be a wind-up …
VIP
Nope it’s for real, if you must try:
http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/rangers-international-football-club-statement-2/
If, and it’s a big if, any titles are stripped, it will be done in such a way as to make it clear that they are the same club.
Wait and see.
KevJ
Sad news mi amigo.
HH
YNWA
An email I received dated 07/07/12. As relevant now as it was then, so thought it would be worth posting…..
Punishment and Redress:
Today has seen another flurry of misguided indignation about “punishment” for Rangers FC, or its supposed successor club.
I say misguided, but part of the fun is determining who is really misguided and who is doing the willful misguiding.
Either way, let’s imagine a little scenario: You have a beautiful new iPad (I am jealous). At a train station, you momentarily lay it down on the seat beside you, and before you know it, an opportunistic thief has pinched it. You barely catch a glimpse of him sprinting away, your prized possession tucked under his arm as he vanishes into the crowds.
Fortunately, Strathclyde’s finest are on the case. CCTV is analysed, witnesses are interviewed, and within a couple of weeks, a suspect is identified and arrested. Let’s call him “Big Dave”. There, in his living room, is your beloved iPad.
So what happens next? Do the police simply return your iPad and that’s the end of it? What sort of message does that send out; that the only consequence of theft is having to return the stolen item if caught? Clearly, redress is not enough. Punishment must follow.
But lets imagine the police tell you Big Dave will be punished for his crime, but he can keep your iPad. You are incredulous. The thief keeps the item he broke the law to obtain, and you, the acknowledged victim of a crime, have to let him keep and enjoy your rightful property. This scenario is ludicrous. Punishment alone is not sufficient either; there must be both punishment and redress.
Now picture the scene in court: “It’s no fair tae take that iPad away fae oor faim’ly,” pleads Big Dave’s wife, Sally. “Big Dave telt me he goat it legit. Oor boy, Wee Billy, loves that iPad. He disnae know it was stolen. It would break Wee Billy’s heart if ye took that iPad aff him. He might even throw a maddie and hurt someb’dy, but that’s no a threat, right?”
Convinced you should let the thief keep your property? Is the judge? Didn’t think so.
Seeing he’s on to a loser, Big Dave tries to cut a deal. “Ok, Your Honour. Here’s how it is. I’ll accept a £100 fine and a wee bit of community service if you let me keep the iPad? For Wee Billy’s sake?”
Deal or no deal?
Step outside the fundamentally corrupt prism of Scottish football and the just outcome of my little scenario is glaringly obvious. Your rightful property is returned to you – no matter how much it upsets Wee Billy – and Big Dave is punished for his crime, which naturally sees his family suffer too. Whose fault is it that Sally and Wee Billy suffer for Big Dave’s crimes? Big Dave, of course. Not the police. Not the judge. And certainly not you, the innocent victim of his crime.
Can you find me anyone who credibly denies that Rangers won a string of trophies while breaking the rules of football by fielding players deemed ineligible by the non-disclosure of their full contractual payments? When their guilt is finally officially declared, there must be redress. The official record must be changed. Medals and flags must be reclaimed and distributed to the clubs and players cheated by a side which could only beat them with an artificially strong and illegally registered playing squad.
This is justice. This is redress. It is not a punishment, any more than Big Dave being required to return your iPad – shock horror – is a punishment.
The punishment must be determined separately. But giving back what you stole is no punishment.
One final scenario: Big Dave’s extravagant lifestyle and dodgy behaviour catches up with him, and by the time the case reaches court, Big Dave has sadly passed away and can only be contacted from the other side by a pair of highly skilled mediums called Malcolm and James. Even though a curious character called Charlie from Yorkshire has rolled up calling himself “The Dave”, laying claim to Big Dave’s estate and apparently in there with Sally (if not Wee Billy), the indisputable legal fact is that Big Dave is no more.
Can you punish a dead man? Of course not. Does redress for his crimes die with him? Absolutely not.
Big Dave may be dead, but his family can’t keep the iPad he stole from you. That’s the bottom line.
(author unknown)
Ross Cty v Celtic
Hibs v St Johnstone
LC semis – See more at:
Their shame knows no bounds, we have thousands of Rangers supporters, journalists and former “sportsmen” closing their eyes, fingers in their ears, hoping, demanding and threatening this will go away.
How tardy, are they children, half-men?
My haw-maws would shrivel at the thought of such behaviour.
What a small dark place Scotland can be.
Ross County in a cup semi at Hampden…that rings a bell..
Hibs v St Johnstone is bound to be the live TV game.
Ross Cty v Celtic
Hibs v St Johnstone
LC semis – ties to be played 30/31st Jan 2016
final on Sunday March 13.
Ernie
In one way, that would be a good thing.
Time for the clubs to unite and demand a fitting punishment for cheats fc .
If the sfa / spl refuse , threaten to form a breakaway league , were would that
leave the blazers on the 6th floor at hampden ?
Was going to mention involve fifa /uefa but they are probably more dodgy
than the sfa .
An enquiry would also be a good thing but it would need to be led by someone
outwith scotland and have no connections to scottish fottball .
That hun St atement isn’y real, can’t be, Oh look, a squirrel.