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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HT
Re 11.30 am at Inverness??
Has anyone checked if the tide is in or out at that time?
We lost a match to precisely that scenario and it led to the notorious re-scheduled match after our POTY awards and the loss of the title in NFL’s first season.
It’s a long enough journey without a game. I had to spend 45 minutes in an Aviemore tea room to let the driver have his “turnaround” rest, that year.
it could be and probably is an April fool but it still gives us a reason to celebrate again just in case…o))
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………Praying for our WEE HERO! 14:04 on 2 April, 2014
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar 14:04 on 2 April, 2014
When you go into a full-blooded challenge the first rule is to avoid injury. If i remember right Kayal slid into that challenge and Elbows went in from a standing position.
A fatal error.
Love looking at all the Celtic memorabilia through these links
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“I had to spend 45 minutes in an Aviemore tea room to let the driver have his “turnaround” rest, that year.”
Philvis is back. Hoorah;)
BMCUW
No doubt you are familiar with the many occasions that Kilwinning featured in Tom Shields’ diary. My favourite
A carload of non local students looking for directions to a party asked a local
Local man “Are there any papes in this car?”
Students “No”. knowing full well that there were at least 2″
Local man “Aye, well ah hud tae ask cause they just look like normal people these days”
or….notice in a shop window “hauf day shuttin’ aw day today”
I think even a Dundee united team at there worst will pump that mob, it would have to take some thing REALY bad for united to loss that game, cause thems are just feckin rotten.
Bertie Auld and John Greig? As a comparison?
That’s like saying, “That horse was as fast as Shergar and a Blackpool beach donkey.”
i’m neil lennon (tamrabam)
13:50 on 2 April, 2014
I’ve heard on good authority that the spfl will award 2 Titles this season.
One for the table with Hearts in it and one for the table without them. If we beat United on Saturday then we will be awarded our 46th championship and Stefan Johansen will be the first player in history to win 3 top league championships in 1 year.
thomthethim for Oscar OK
13:49 on 2 April, 2014
no problem
tamrabam; -it was posted yesterday ;-april fool !
Need someone to settle a debate in work.
What trophy is in Celtic Park that Oldco claimed was theirs?
hendrix
A Lucozade bottle?
hendrix67
14:32 on 2 April, 2014
The Fair Play Award ……. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hendrix67
Probably all of them. They have no shame.
LB
a ship called dignity…..
hendrix67
Is it not the Empire exibihition trophy?
LB
Shameless plug.
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It is based on the Blog musings of an immigrant girl, working in Cork.
My son and his wife did the illustrations.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1495910466/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_asp_g2.DH.0SQ6GHN
livibhoy – god bless wee oscar
14:36 on 2 April, 2014
hendrix67
Is it not the Empire exibihition trophy?
LB
————————————————
Apparently it’s not that one, or the coronation cup.
hendrix
The Making an Exhibition of Yourself All Over the Empire trophy??
The Big Cup (we pure should huv won that; Marseilles cheated us)??
The Coronation Cup?? – just for being monarchists
hendrix
just tell them they havnae won anything other than the 3rd and 2nd divisions, that ought to shut them up.
I recon that we are due a pitch invasion at Tannadice just to re-celebrate.
MWD votes YES to pitch invasions and Independence.
You lot are murder. I should have known better than to ask. Ya scallywags.
Seriously though. Does anyone know?
Is it the Arsenal shares?
MWD
is it the atrophy?
The glass on the cabinets?
MWD
Blantyre tim
I did mention it was oldco.
Tennets sixes trophy from 1995?
MWD
Warm and sunny ,way down south .
Mid week chat with my 95 year old father ——-
” That Park Gardens crew fretting about standards is like the Nazis disciplining someone for expressing anti-semitic views “.
Big mixed flocks of waders flying north , Ruffs , Godwits and Avocets .
Spring has sprung CSC-way down south.
Alfie Conn
The Dubai Trophy? (They saw it as Dubious)
St. Mungo Cup- They won the trophy but refused the cup with a saint’s name
blantyretim is praying for the knox family
14:40 on 2 April, 2014
Should that not be the 4th and 3rd Divisions ……..hehe
Tonight’s Libertadores
++++++++++++++++
(ko times are UK times)
23:45 Botafogo (Bra) v Union Espanola (Chi)
‘fogo haven’t played a match since they stumbled to a fortunate win against IDV at the Maracanã in the previous round. However, they have significant suspension issues with key target man “Tanque” Ferreira, right back, Edilson and free kick specialist Gabriel all suspended for this one. As if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s been grumblings of a player strike over (further) late wage payments. However, ‘fogo start tonight knowing that a win will guarantee them first place in the group and remove all pressure for that difficult final away game to San Lorenzo.
Union Espanola were away to relegation candidates Wanderers (who are a place above bottom team Rangers) at the weekend. UE have injury doubts over midfielders Scotti and Canales and will rely heavily on captain Gonzalo Villagra (who is now likely to be a surprise choice for Chile’s World Cup side) and fiery Argentinian No 10 Cristian Chavez (who should test how good a centre half Botafogo’s, Doria really is).
Prediction – a very narrow HOME WIN (60%)
02:00 Emelec (Ecu) v Flamengo (Bra)
Currently top of their National table Emelec will be fancying their chances in this one. Emelec finally lost a twenty game unbeaten run to El Nacional in an ill-tempered league match on Sunday. However, they are at full strength for tonight’s match. Coincidentally, prices for this one range from 10 to 30 USD.
Flamengo fielded a under-strength side to clinch a place in the Rio State Championships at the weekend have five key players (including captain Leo Moura, Carceres and Elano) definitely out for this and also have injury doubts over striker “Brocador” Hernanes. Looks like they’re likely to play a 5-4-1 tonight in an attempt to shore up a very suspect, central defence.
Prediction – stick my neck out – HOME WIN (80%)
02:00 Atletico Nacional (Col) v Gremio (Bra)
Currently top of their league, Atl Nacional slugged out a tough, 0-0 draw against fellow Libertadorians (if that’s the right phraseology?) Santa Fe at the weekend and lost defensive mid, Bernal with concussion during the match. Apart from that they will be at full strength.
Gremio also had a toughie against Inter RS in the final of the “Gaucho” state championship, where a full strength side lost 2-1 at home on Sunday. Manager Enderson Moreira must be head scratching at the way both goals were gifted by what is usually a well drilled central defence. However, a win tonight would secure Gremio a spot in the next round. Longterm injury Ze Roberto not available for this one (again).
Prediction – difficult to call DRAW (55%)
SSN saying Ian Black is a doubt for the Ramsden Cup Final
Ian Black bets £100 at 10/1 that he won’t be fit for the Ramsden Cup Final
….Ian Black treating his partner to a luxury spa weekend away this weekend.
Not all of the above is strictly accurate
hendrix
Is it the Gas Works Cup!?
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
14:05 on
2 April, 2014
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.
———————-
Completely and utterly ridiculous-couldnt agree more-HH Boycott that one?
hendrix67
The old Spot-the-Ball Trophy awarded by the Evening Times.
It was never handed over to Oldco because the ball was always on the penalty spot!
:-)
Cadizzy-got you -Ian Black has a partner?:)