Remember when Barcelona were regarded as the model of an ethical football club? I don’t know if it’s just every time I see Tumbling Neymar that I feel a little less affinity with brand Barca but that image has proven to be a mirage.
The clubs tax affairs, specifically over compensation to Lionel Messi, brought it into more disrepute than could be compensated for by the ethically immaculate (cough) ‘Qatar’ emblazoned across their shirts. Tax is not just for the wee guys.
Now Fifa (you know you have issues when these guys can get moralistic with you) have banned the club from signing players for the next two transfer windows and a fine of 450k Swiss francs after investigations into the signing of 10 foreign minors over the period 2009-2013. Their accomplices, the Spanish FA, were fined 500 Swiss francs for their role in the episode.
We’ll see if the Spanish FA have the equivalent of What-school-did-you-go-to Ogilvie in charge, who is able to arbitrarily change which transfer windows the ban applies to, in order to assist the club.
Speaking of Ogilvie, after leaving now-liquidated Rangers he continued his work at Hearts, who administrator Bryan Jackson yesterday admitted were themselves facing liquidation. Ogilvie had a legal responsibility for Rangers during the period they introduced the ruinous EBT scam, some of which was found to be illegal during the First Tier Tribunal, the remainder of which is currently subject to an Upper Tribunal deliberation.
Indeed, the man, who remains president of the SFA, pocketed a £93k EBT, but he can claim no credit for the liquidation of Hearts, which was brought about by the liquidation of the club’s shareholders and lenders. If there were two clubs in the whole world you would ask karma to liquidate……….
Before you react to this acknowledged possibility, check, are you a fan, or player and fan? If you are a fan, feel free to proclaim the situation loudly. If you are player and fan, stop. The SFA don’t want you proclaiming an acknowledged possibility, as though you were a fan. Hearts are going bust, but the only man in football allowed to say this is the Hearts administrator.
I see a bit of push-back against Beram Kayal, which is harsh. After a very promising start Beram is increasingly out of the picture at Celtic and needs to construct a narrative for himself and potential future employers. Everything he said was almost certainly true: he was ‘done’ by Lee McCulloch, leaving him with a poor first-hand experience of our game. Why would he retain a love for a league which is offers him nothing?
The comments about Liverpool and Manchester United showing an interest in him prior to his injury tells you lots about how the game works. Promising, though he was, he was never in this class, but all clubs watch hundreds of players every year. I see no reason why his agent would be unable to get Beram scouted by a couple of top English clubs. This would have been reported to the player, but should not be confused as being a qualified interest.
Seville – The Celtic Movement:
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starry plough
Aye, and added that the referees allow it on a weekly basis………
I have said it time and time again, the likes of Inesta and Messi would struggle in scotland.
HH
a few here suggesting broonie for poty??? considering his experience, he effectively ended our interest in Europe this year by his kick at neymar……….efe got lambasted for the juve game in the previous year but that singularly didn’t get us put out, broonies actions did……poty?, never IMHO
Not only is McCulloch a shit player who has recently found his level, he is the worst kind of footballer – always trying sleekit digs at opponents with Elbows and legs, and continually feigning injury. A coward and a shitebag.
My favourite Kayal moment came when Sami scored the brace at Ibroke. Kayal took Elbows out in the centre circle by walking straight into his path. It was a subtle moment but it kept McCulloch quiet for the rest of the match.
Now for the controversial part – I don’t believe McCulloch had time to calculate anything in his challenge on Kayal as it was a 50/50 and they both went for it, but he certainly knew he had ‘done him’, which is why he pretended he was injured. There were worse challenges that night. Healy on Forrest springs to mind.
But in all honesty, I think Kayal should have been punted after the Kilmarnock match. His attitude that day was disgraceful. He tried to get sent-off when we were 3-0 down. I’m not really sure what that was about to be honest.
WDH ,
Did you read my acknowledgement of your dining recommendations, that I posted last week?
If not, then, thanks, they were too class and Chris, from Cail Bruich, sent his regards.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………Praying for our WEE HERO!
“But then I’m mentally ill,being paranoid.”
You as well? (paranoid, I mean)@
an interesting post on the video celts blog
Celtic have been privately briefed by the SPFL that they haven’t yet won the title due to the imminent liquidation of Hearts.
Over the weekend it was confirmed by Bryan Jackson of BDO that the cash strapped Jambos don’t have enough money to survive beyond the end of April and could be liquidated before then if UBIG reject a CVA when creditors of the Lithuanian bank meet on April 7.
If the SPFL don’t receive guarantees from Hearts by April 12 that they can complete the season an updated league table will be produced removing the results of the Edinburgh side.
All season the SPFL have been keeping two league tables, one without Hearts results included, with all clubs kept aware of the scenario should the Jambos go pop.
Celtic will be one of the big losers from that having wiped the floor with the Gorgie mob taking nine points out of nine from three games against Gary Locke’s side.
In contrast Aberdeen have lost twice to Hearts- who they play tomorrow night- meaning that Celtic drop back nine points closer to second placed Aberdeen.
With Celtic’s lead cut down to 17 points with six games to go the hoops would have to win at Dundee United on Saturday to ensure the title beyond any doubt.
If Celtic fail to win at Dundee United and Aberdeen beat Hibs 48 hours later the title race will be extended into the split with Celtic 14 points clear going into the remaining five matches.
The post split fixtures will be released later this week with Celtic’s first match expected to be a trip to face Inverness Caley Thistle on April 19 with an 11.30am kick off with the match being televised live on Sky Sports.
If the results against Hearts are removed Leigh Griffith’s first goal for Celtic will be removed from the record books, the striker was reported to be devastated at the news that he could lose that goal.
The loss of Hearts will also effect the bottom of the table with all points gained against the Edinburgh side removed from St Mirren, Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock and Hibs but who gives a toss for any of those clubs.
BobbyM
Feck all, nada, nobody saw it, aye right.
HH
BMCUWP
i have no knowledge of such intimate information btw :¬)
***** too = what was that about!
looks like another reason to party on Saturday at Tannadice….
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam)
A competent sfa would void all their results and give every team a 3-0 victory, just saying like >}
HH
TD67
Yesterday the liverpool fans won a great victory against liars
the liverpool fans knew the lies. The Police and the countries authorities supported the lies
The liverpool fans stood up to the lies
The truth came out due to their perserverance
Now obviously the lies that are going on in Scotland dont relate to 96 honest lives, and in fact its trivial compared to 96 innocents. However, if we just stand back, the liars will prevail. I wouldnt want that. I admire the resilience of the Liverpool fans in the face of adversity
McCoist defends McCulloch. Reckons his captain isn’t a dirty player. Hilarious.
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam),
Wouldn’t surprise me if the SPFL were looking into ways of having Hearts spot replaced by Sevco, who have clearly ‘suffered enough’.
Tamrabam,
Very very interesting if true.
tet,
A competent SFA, surely a contradiction in terms?
AR
TET
A competent SFA now theres a thought!
3-0 victories all round -so wouldnt that mean that Aberdeen were 6 points better off then, and would we still be champs right now?
Kev J
I think you might have to squeeze hard to make the facts fit your story re Beram Kayal.
The Scottish Transfer window shuts at the end of August. The Killie game was in mid-October 2011, and was the 8th game played by Celtic after the closure of the window
Beram played previously in a 4:0 win over Well
2:0 loss to Atletico
4:2 loss to the deid team
2:0 league cup win v Ross County
2:0 win over ICT
1:1 draw with Udinese
He then missed our 2:0 loss to Hearts and was brought back for the Killie game.
It seems to have taken a long time for Beram to “chuck it” because of it being the fault of the board.
I think the facts fit more easily with.
Beram playing a high intensity pressing and tackling game. There are plenty like him in Scotland but he is likely to be a more valued and rare asset in a more technical, less “robust” league. And on top of that, the injury has, at least, affected his confidence, if not, his movement.
I have just seen the line up for the sevco Utd game, dearie me, they are no even trying to hide it any more.
Bobby Madden : Referee
Graham Chambers: Asst.Ref.
Alastair Mather: Asst Ref.
Calum Murray : 4th Official
John Beaton: Additional Asst.
Alan Muir: Additional Asst.
HH
STV claims McCoist got back at Kayal.
I thought Kayals perfomance dipped when he signed a new deal with Celtic. Seen it happen a lot. The game he was crocked by Elbows he was coming back into form. He revels in the big games. He has shown that over the period with Celtic. He has become frustrated with injuries. He appears to always have a wee injury he can;t shift and then another comes along.
Somtimes it just doesn;t happen for a player at a club. That has happened at Celtic Park. It’s just not happening for Beram anymore. Maybe some players didn;t appreciate him hogging the limelight at the weekend? Maybe they didn;t mind? Who knows? What we do know is the catalogue of injuries started with an assault by a man who is not a footballer but who is a thug and has been allowed to get away with it for a decade in Scotland. You hear words like good honest pro and it makes my blood boil. Former players and panels on football shows use terms like he used all his experience there. It’s not experience it’s thuggery and they do it because they know the referee will let them do it. McCulloch is everything that is wrong with refereeing in Scotland. Celtic have had players sent off for 2nd bookings for celebrating with the fans and for tripping people and he gets rattled into people with elbows and career threatening challenges and doesn;t even get spoken to most of the time!
McCulloch has only had around 3 red cards in the last 4 or 5 years in Scotland. I think Commons has had about the same. No way can that be accurate considering the type of players they are.
Kayal will hopefuly find a club and find some form. He goes with my best wishes. I thought he could be the new McStay. He had that sort of ability.
LB
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam)
I think that article was posted on 1April for your info.
TET
“A competent sfa would void all their results and give every team a 3-0 victory”
Probably would be fairer but it’d still mean we haven’t won the league yet in a world without hertz.
STEINREIGNEDSUPREME
I’m with you and HT-and also KITALBA-on that tackle. He didn’t have time to do him deliberately,though there was his usual reckless disregard.
Steinreignedsupreme
13:49 on 2 April, 2014
Completely agree with all of that.
An 11:30am kick off away to Inverness??????
They really don’t give a shite about football supporters in this country, no wonder the game’s falling on its arse.
AR-Tam
It’s what I would do, if they can’t fulfil their fixtures, just give everyone a 3-0.
As for the competence of the sfa, that only come to the fore when the hun are involved, they move heaven and earth to facilitate them, and surprisingly, they are astonishingly competent then.
HH
tonydonnelly67
13:33 on 2 April, 2014
Thank you for that ingenious reply.
There was a final line in capitals “that is what your gas pays for”. Thought either you or The Daily Mail ( not sure what the difference is) were making some political point.
Clearly it is just the Daily Mail that is still seeing “Arabs” in a stereotypical way hardly removed from their camels.
McCoist mentions Bertie Auld and John Greig in his defence of McCulloch. stating that it was a different game when they were playing…..and before as illustrated below.
Pre Glasgow derby match in the tunnel
JG “What are you on for a win bonus today, wee man?”
BA ” Three quid”
JG “that aw? We’re on six”
BA “Aye but I’m guaranteed mine”
MSM the same the world over, Churnalists who don’t do their homework
John Pilger @johnpilger ·
A lesson from ABC Radio Canberra – how to interview a filmmaker about his film without having seen it… http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3975438.htm …
….PFayr supports WeeOscar
13:33 on
2 April, 2014
Kayal`s time at CFC is up …he`s been well paid for it
He was “done” by McCulloch ….shame that no one at CFC spoke up about it at the time ….i seem to remember our manager suggesting he had no complaints over the tackle …i might be wrong
Just a pity that Celtic lack a genuine hardman to put manners on the like of Elbows.
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam) -almost certain that was an April 1st ‘joke’..
GM
I understand that, but it’s the only fair thing to do imo.
HH
I’m Neil Lennon
I am not against it, I’m just making an observation, as to the sheet that goes on here, more or less what you are saying.
CADIZZY
In a coupla weeks time I will be back in my lovely home town of Kilwinning-which I miss dreadfully-and I can assure you that paranoia is the least of the insults which will be firing in my direction.
Naturally of course I’ll be firing real bullets. If I cannae win an argument in Kilwinning,I might as well give up.
(Apart from with my Mum,of course!)
Things to do, laters, and nay fighting now >}
HH
THE EXILED TIM
14:02 on
2 April, 2014
That’s what happens when you complain to the SFA, they shaft you big style
Dundee Utd will need to play their top game in that semi final
Jc2. Blantyre Tim. Lion roars
The fun of it is that this fella actually does know where the skeletons are and was happy to share it. Really interesting chat despite the guys leanings. ESP insightful re Peat.