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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BT
It’s Sunday 11th May.
HT
I thought 10th was last game hence the bicep challenge…
Aye it’s the 11th it seems.
HT,
Ach nothing wrong with being too trusting ya plum;)
Wish we would just let Big Lee’s awkwardness go.
That well known honest guy Ally McCoist has given Lee a ringing endorsement and stated unequivocally that he is not a dirty player.
It was also in the Record so conclusive proof.
BT
Nope the bicep challenge got muscled out by the fixture list :-)
kayal33
16:26 on 2 April, 2014
lionroars67
16:21 on 2 April, 2014
Sky Sports don’t give a toss about Scottish football. They throw a few quid at it because they want to keep the potential audience in Scotland to subscribe for the “greatest league in the world”. They loved the old derby games before they died as it gave them hours of build up and analysis to fill their schedule with. The fall out from the so called shame game kept them going for over a week.
They desperately want Sevco in the Premiership and will do anything they can to peddle the same club myth as they see £££ signs in doing so.
Scottish football to sky is just a filler in their schedule, they pay more for county T20 cricket!!!!!!
lionroars67, last game is the 11th May, or the day eftir the hootenanny:_)
This could get messi!!!!
I still have emails I sent to the SFA over the McCullough elbow on the Aberdeen player. I sent them to various people in that den of masons–naturally I received no reply.I really think it’s time to grab the bull by the horns.
A Ceiler Gonof Rust
16:46 on
2 April, 2014
lionroars67, last game is the 11th May, or the day eftir the hootenanny:_)
This could get messi!!!!
I think we should invite LG along he likes a drink and a song……………………..
I’m glad the last game is on Sunday 11 May.
At least it will not clash with the day oot on the 10th.
:-)
HH!!
Hi CQNers
Not posted for a while but lurking always.
The news about Big Yogi’s book is great news.
I’ll never forget him bursting on to the scene as a big lump of a centre forward against Third Lanark in the first game of the season in the very early 60’s. He scored that day and I’m sure he was only 17.
I also attended a Rangers v Celtic game at Ibrox for the first time on my own (I had been a few times previously with my auld man and my big brother) when Big Yogi tore Doug Baillie a new wan! The Celts beat Rangers 3-2 at Ibrox that day and I ended up getting chased along Paisley Rd West. The first of many escapades. But I’ll never forget the Celtic supporters coming out of Ibrox singing “If you knew Hughesy like I know Hughesy…..”
I went on in later years to have a tricolour with FEED THE BEAR on it.
Happy days.
Good luck Yogi and Hail Hail to all.
– It’s a club that has built its reputation on developing some of the world’s best players, but leading European club Barcelona has been hit by a transfer ban imposed by FIFA after breaking the world governing body’s rules relating to the “international transfer of minors.”
Barca’s youth players are drawn not just from Catalonia and Spain, but also from around the globe and trying to recruit the world’s best is a competitive business — Argentine Lionel Messi joined Barca at the age of 11.
If you get the development of young players right it can be a hugely lucrative business. In June Barcelona said of the 25 players in its first team, 17 came its youth academy — the highest percentage of recent years.
Unless it manages to successfully appeal the FIFA ban, Barca will be prevented from signing players — both youth and senior players — in the next two transfer windows.
Real Madrid and Barcelona line up ahead of “El Clasico”, one of the most fiercely-contested matches in world football.
Barca enjoyed a dream start, with Lionel Messi teeing up Andres Iniesta, who fired his shot high into the net past Real goalkeeper Diego Lopez with just seven minutes on the clock.
Real’s response was emphatic. Winger Angel di Maria and striker Karim Benzema twice combining to turn the match on its head. First, Di Maria crossed for Benzema to plant a firm header beyond Victor Valdes (pictured). Moments later the duo did it again, Benzema taking one touch before volleying beyond Valdes following another fine cross from Argentina’s Di Maria.
Real were on top but Barca fought back, four-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Messi shooting low past Lopez to level the score at 2-2 just before half time.
In the second half, Real were awarded a penalty when Dani Alves was adjudged to have tripped Cristiano Ronaldo, although the foul looked to have been committed outside of the box. Ronaldo stepped up to confidently convert the penalty and restore Real’s lead.
Barca bounced back once again. Real defender Sergio Ramos was sent off for bringing down Neymar, the 19th red card of his career, and Barca had a penalty of their own. Messi was on hand from the spot to level the match at 3-3.
With Real down to 10 men, Barca took control. Xabi Alonso fouled Iniesta and Barca were awarded another penalty, the third of this pulsating contest. Messi scored once again to complete his hat-trick, the 26th treble of his career. It was enough to seal a 4-3 win for Barca.
Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona
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That could have severe consequences for the Spanish champions.
Transfer windows are important for all clubs as they allow them to refresh their squads.
That’s important not just for maintaining on-field competitiveness but also for marketing purposes, such as selling shirts. Last summer, for example, Barca invested nearly $120 million on just one player — Brazilian international Neymar.
Barcelona were not immediately for comment as to whether it planned to appeal the ban.
The FIFA ruling comes after an investigation found the Spanish champions had broken regulations regarding the transfer of young players from outside Spain.
FIFA’s investigation focused on several players aged under 18 who were registered and played for the club between 2009 and 2013.
Under FIFA laws, clubs are not allowed to sign international players under the age of 18 unless the player is moving within the European Union, is aged between 16 and 18 and moving with their parents or the club and the player both live within 50 kilometers of a shared national border.
“The Disciplinary Committee regarded the infringements as serious and decided to sanction the club with a transfer ban at both national and international level for two complete and consecutive transfer periods, together with a fine of CHF 450,000 ($508,000),” read a FIFA statement.
“Additionally, the club was granted a period of 90 days in which to regularize the situation of all minor players concerned.
“The investigations concerned several minor players who were registered and participated in competitions with the club over various periods between 2009 and 2013.”
The Spanish Football Federation has also been hit with a CHF 500,000 ($565,000) fine by FIFA. The Spanish Federation was not immediately available for comment.
The ban on Barcelona means the club will be unable to buy players during the “summer” transfer window which runs between June and August, and the January 2015 window.
“In this respect, the Disciplinary Committee emphasized that the protection of minors in the context of international transfers is an important social and legal issue that concerns all stakeholders in football,” continued the statement.
“The Disciplinary Committee underlined that FIFA takes the protection of minors in football very seriously.”
It is unclear whether the ban will effect transfers Barca have in the pipeline.
German goalkeeper Andre Ter Stegen has reportedly been linked with a move to Barca from Borussia Monchengladbach this summer, while highly-rated 17-year-old Alen Halilovic is set to arrive at the Camp Nou from Dinamo Zagreb.
This is not the first negative story that has threatened to derail Barca’s season.
President Sandro Rosell resigned in January after a judge ordered a hearing to investigate the misappropriation of funds during the signing of Brazil star Neymar in 2013.
Neymar was on the scoresheet as Barca drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in Tuesday’s European Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
lionroars67
16:33 on
2 April, 2014
Kayal33
16:26 on
2 April, 2014
I agree wholeheartedly, do not subscribe to sky sports, rarely watch EPL fitba
Sky and EPL are damaging the club i support ergo i don’t support them
===============================
The sooner more of us north of the border have our finger on the pulse with this the better.
The biggest asset Scottish football has is the fans and the recent League Cup final showed that there is life outside the former ‘Old Firm’ – Sky taking us for granted could just lose them a lot of customers.
HH
Who was more corrupt from those two in uefa cup final 2008, Rangers or Zenit St. Petersburg?
Retired Norwegian footballer Erik Hagen tells how them Zenit paid the refferees in Europe and in Russia. Money under the table won them gold in Russia. Scandal on big scale.
I believe the City Council are to invite Pope Francis to visit Belfast. That will be a wonderful occasion, I’m sure.
GM
Nae bother Miss Marple :-)
traditionalist88
17:09 on
2 April, 2014
Neil puts our case perfectly
Fail in English Premier League and you get £70m.. win Scottish Premiership you get just £4m.. that’s why I’m so proud, says Celtic boss Neil Lennon
Zbyszek.
I’ll try and send you a post tonight around 8-9pm.
Well said Auldheid
I’m pretty much done with football myself no matter what comes next .
The beautiful game is now incredibly ugly. From the next World Cup to next seasons SFA debacle. Qatar CO and the joke that is FIFA and UEFA. Corrupt corporations with no accountability or responsibility to the fans. It’s as real as WWF. I will always support Celtic as you all do. More nostalgia than hope.
cyrenean
16:54 on
2 April, 2014
Hi CQNers
Not posted for a while but lurking always.
The news about Big Yogi’s book is great news.
I’ll never forget him bursting on to the scene as a big lump of a centre forward against Third Lanark in the first game of the season in the very early 60′s. He scored that day and I’m sure he was only 17.
*and put 1 over the bar from the goal line :-)))))
I also attended a Rangers v Celtic game at Ibrox for the first time on my own (I had been a few times previously with my auld man and my big brother) when Big Yogi tore Doug Baillie a new wan!
*story circling after this game was that on the Sunday after big John was sitting in Mass when the priest said “John who made you”, to which the Bear replied “Doug Baillie made me father”. :-)))))
Ok, oldtim67.
I hope you are well, better than on the day when I saw you last time in BBrs.
lionroars67
Exactly – the question is, what are we doing about it?
Things are happening behind the scenes if you listen to some on here… but we’ve been hearing that for a long time.
HH
Beram Kayal was the type of midfield player you like to see hard in the tackle and skillful, often going in kamakaze-like and with little regard for his own safety. The lad had a great future ahead of him and I’m not surprised Manure and Pool had him on their radar. Unfortunately players of his ilk are always prone to pick up serious injuries and Scott Brown being a prime example also plagued by injury in his early days at Celtic. Perhaps his people did a little too much talking of moves to the English Premiership when he was hardly a wet day at Celtic Park. I hope the lads career blossoms again when he moves to a new club.
Zbyszek, evening.
Don’t think it is as exciting as you are suggesting yet. Ref denies it. The person making the allegations told a Russian paper he couldn’t even remember who the opponents were in UEFA cup or who referee was. Strange. He seems to remember other things but not these crucial facts.
Anybody know why this Roma v Parma game kicked off 8 mins in? Cracking game by the way…
What a sing song you get downstairs in the Independent on Queen St on a Saturday by the way! Ok it was Claymore instead of Gary Og as advertised(and 3 hours later than advertised) but what a sing song.
If our Leigh was filmed singing any of those songs the bigots in blue and maroon would really have it in for him…
HH
These are allegations which have not been proven against Zenit just to say.
Anyone who wants a preview of the book cover for Yogi Bare – the life and times of a Celtic Legend John Hughes, please click here:
http://www.calameo.com/read/000390171c5cacdefac18
We all got to love Craig Bellamy, never mind not signing the Deidco top at Glasgow airport, but those who have twitter check out his foundation in Africa…@CBFPerformance.
We do know that the huns were doped up onEBTs when the Zenit refuseniks humped them.
Norwich took 899 fans to Swansea last weekend.
Greatest League in the World.
I fancy my ole French team PSG to win by a couple of goals tonight.
Might have a wee flutter on PSG 3-1
I have gone for over 2.5 goals in the PSG game, same for the Aberdeen game, and over 3.5 in the Real game, avoid if you value your bank balance >}
HH
Me sticking money on PSG really would be the kiss of death for them.
But I do fancy them.
Hard to decide which game to watch last night, I plumped for the Barcelona v Athletico Madrid game and I was not disappointed. The quality of the football particularly by the Catalans was astonishing while our old friends from Madrid were at their foul-a-minute best.
who was that team that walloped oldco in Europe
unirea or something ?
Paul67 et al
Corruption you will find anywhere, the National Audit Office report on the privatisation of the Royal Mail will tell you that. In London they prefer to front it up, helped by gullible or biddable politicians like Vince Cable. And him a former Glasgow Councillor. In Scotland it is behind closed doors, for the most part, in places like the SFA. Funny thing is, it was only last week that I read that Campbell O’Gilvie was being put forward for a Vice-President position at FIFA, a sinecure currently held by Jim Boyce of the IFA. Given the level of corruption under Blatter, you know something, Ogilvie would fit right in.