Two important issues to discuss today, Exploiting Hillsborough and Tax Justice Network. Do you think newspapers are above exploiting the Hillsborough tragedy? Think again.
Exploiting Hillsborough
Last year Celtic announced they received permission for safe standing at Celtic Park from the start of next season. The club hasn’t spoken about the matter since then, but season ticket renewal information was published yesterday, including details for those in what will become safe standing areas.
Some sharp-eyed operator spotted an opportunity. A bereaved Hillsborough mother was called, information put to her which led her to believe Celtic HAD made an announcement this week, before commenting “It’s insensitive to announce that right at this time, a week just after the verdicts”.
Readers were then treated to comments from Peter Lawwell to hammer home the point, “Celtic has worked tirelessly on this issue and we are delighted this permission has finally been granted”.
That comment was made in 2015, but was printed in the context of being made a week after the Hillsborough inquest. If you want a Celtic comment contemporaneous with the Hillsborough inquest, you’re out of luck, none was made. A comment was taken from the past, dressed up as new – and insensitive to the Hillsborough tragedy – then put to a bereaved mother.
This beggars belief. This coverage did not happened by accident, it was planned and executed with a clear objective to undermine Celtic, and the chief executive in particular. It was a vile act.
Tax Justice Network
Tax Justice Network (TJN) are an international activist think-tank who push to “‘change the weather’ on a wide range of issues related to tax, tax havens and financial globalisation”. They train journalists on how to cover illicit finance and tax havens, and last year launched The Offshore Game, a look into football ownership and transparency. Their testimonials are impressive:
“TJN has done more than any other organisation to put fiscal justice at the center of the policy agenda. Tax issues should not be left to those who want to escape taxes! Changes will come when more and more citizens of the world take ownership of these matters. TJN is a powerful force acting in this direction.”
Thomas Piketty, author, Capital in the Twenty-First Century
“Founded at a time when tax was a Cinderella subject, the Tax Justice Network was one of few voices challenging the status quo. Since then, its energy and international reach have greatly magnified its influence as the issues it championed moved up the political agenda.”
Vanessa Houlder, The Financial Times
“In some ways I feel responsible for TJN’s creation since I suggested in a 2000 OECD Observer report that civil society needed to have a stronger voice in the international tax debate. Well, over these 12 years it certainly has achieved this, moving tax issues up the political agenda.”
Jeffrey Owens, former head of tax, OECD
“The Queen has asked me to thank you for your letter of 4th November from which Her Majesty has taken careful note of your comments and concerns about taxation and offshore financial secrecy.”
Queen Elizabeth II (cough)
So that’s the OECD, The Financial Times, the Queen and Tam Piketty. When a body with a list of testimonials as authoritative as the TJN turn their focus on Scottish football, we should all take note. Yesterday evening the TJN released their report into the SFA, Rangers and governance in Scottish football, entitled ‘Doing SFA for Fair Play?‘
Their extensive report’s conclusions are:
Issue 1 – The SPL inquiry into rule breaking at Rangers
The first concerns the judge-led Commission set up by the SPL into alleged rule breaking by Rangers in the run up to their collapse.
The Commission considered whether Rangers should be stripped of a series of league and cup titles. The documents reveal that the then President of the SFA, Campbell Ogilvie, misled the public and the judge presiding over the inquiry, which led them to make a material error of fact in their judgement.
The fact that Mr Ogilvie (former Rangers director and SFA president) had previously been one of the longest serving officials in the history of Rangers Football Club clearly raises questions as to the motive behind his statements – since the inquiry’s own findings imply that, in full possession of the facts, they would have to have reached a different decision and possibly have stripped titles from Rangers.
Issue 2 – Rangers’ licence to play in Europe 2011/2012
The second issue concerns the grant and retention of a licence to play in Europe to Rangers in the 2011/12 season, when the finances of the club suggested it was on the verge of imminent collapse.
UEFA rules are clear that in order to get a licence to play European football a club must prove that it has no overdue payables to tax authorities. Our analysis of the evidence shows that Rangers clearly had an overdue payable as defined in the UEFA rules and could not have met that test.
However, regardless of this, the SFA did grant Rangers a licence. Although the SFA were informed by Rangers of an on-going issue concerning a large tax bill, they accepted Ranger’s erroneous argument that this did not break any UEFA rules.
It appears that the SFA did little to test the explanation regarding the status of the bill given by Rangers, and subsequent correspondence reveals an unhealthy degree of co-ordination between Rangers and the SFA over the PR around the decision.
As history unfolded, Rangers were knocked out before reaching the group stages of the Champion’s League. Had they managed to achieve victory in the qualifying rounds, they might well have gained the resources they needed to keep the company afloat and pay the overdue tax bill based on Champions League income, thwarting the very purpose of UEFA FFP Articles in respect of overdue tax.
Instead, Rangers went into administration and other Scottish clubs were denied a chance to play European football. That was not only unfair, it came at a cost to those clubs. Also, had Malmo and Maribor, not won their qualifying games against Rangers, for them, the consequences of this breach in the fair play rules would have been far more serious.
On the SFA
Regulators also have a duty to ensure fair play, over and above the usual rules that govern competition between companies. To ensure that competition stays on the pitch and doesn’t retreat behind the closed doors of the boardroom, regulators must make rules to ensure clubs do not gain unfair and unsporting advantages over others.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, in order to execute these functions, a regulator must itself be fair. To preserve the integrity of the system, the regulator must be beyond reproach, and behave in a way which does not produce any suspicion that that they might be exercising their power unfairly, in favour of one team over another.
It is on this last point, that The Offshore Game team have serious concerns about the behaviour and conduct of the Scottish Football Regulator, the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
In conclusion
The two cases that are dealt with in this report, which have nothing to do with the matter under consideration by the criminal court, call into question whether the SFA can be considered a fair and impartial regulator of Scottish football.
This is a question that the SFA has, thus far, flatly refused to answer. And that itself points to a much bigger question: is the SFA an organisation capable of fixing itself and adopting the required standards of transparency, accountability and fairness that fans of Scottish football deserve?
The evidence presented in this report does not amount to proof of corruption, and we do not allege corruption at the SFA. But the evidence does strongly suggest that the SFA is unable, if not actively unwilling, to ensure fair play. Major changes in personnel and governance structures will be necessary if the SFA is to show itself fit for purpose.
The first step to restoring confidence would be for the SFA to engage with UEFA over the clearly misleading returns Rangers’ submitted to them in order to get a licence to play European football in 2011.
Secondly there needs to be a fully independent inquiry, including substantial fan representation, to assess the role of the SFA and the actions of key, senior staff in respect of each issue outlined in this report; and with a mandate to learn from more accountable sports authorities in other fields and to recommend sweeping governance changes to the SFA if deemed necessary.”
No attempt was made by the SFA to tidy up their reputation, they refused to engage with TJN. They are not the first sports body to recently avoid examining issues of financial probity, but in the current climate, this line is becoming increasingly difficult to hold.
On a related matter, more work has taken place on the Resolution 12 issue than anyone will be able to quantify. Unable to go into any detail, I marked your card on this last month and can do so again now. The process does not have long to go.
My expectation is that the TJN report will reach Uefa today, irrespective of whether the Scottish media collude to suppress such a story. The ducks are aligning.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Mary’s Meals appeal yesterday. “Gerry”, who won the Magners tickets, hasn’t checked his email yet!
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CRC, sharp, be careful not to cut yersel:-)
‘The ducks are aligning’
Quack Quack the Celts are here!
The SFA’s goose is cooked.
They face a huge bill.
Eider fiver on that happening.
Go!
BRTH
LOL-ing the middle of Argyle St!!!
;-)
HH jamesgang
Mourinho for the hoops job now he has kb’d Man Utd?
Has anyone heard from J Titor since next week?
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ on 6th May 2016 1:29 pm
Neil down to threes!!!
Only with Coral, still 16/1 in places- Rogers 1/2 on with betfair biggest odds 6/4 with coral.
Always chuckle at this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUXhW3JC9Zw
Paul67 Happy birthday.
Changing topic
Glad to see the SNP win the Scottish Election with a minority allowing the OBFA to hopefully be repealed. Now it is time for the other parties to put their feet where their mouths are. It’ll be interesting to see if they are whipped into backing it’s repleal\more likely replacement in all but name of existing legislation or will their elected members be offered a free vote?
Here’s hoping the ducks are alligning on Res12 with this futher focus added by this, previously unheard of group to most of us. I’ll take it with a pinch of salt for the time being as every action so far has been governed and won by brick artists eating oranges.
MWD
Happy birthday Paul. Hope you have a good one. Hail Hail.
I’m visiting Rome in the summer – here’s a quiz question for any historians – is Bonnie Prince Charlie’s grave in the Vatican marked? If so can you tell me where (e.g. to the left of Sistine chapel, beside the Pieta, that sort of thing).
Thanks in advance.
Happy Birthday Paul67
Lovely warm sunny day over here in Oslo – first of the year – hope it’s shining on you in the beer garden of your choice today.
Re Hillsborough smear – clear and blatant misuse of an old quote to fulfil an agenda. To use such a tragedy as a vehicle for such a cheap shot, and to involve one of the relatives, is beyond sickening.
The club should be all over this, demanding a retraction and apology. It is a clear libel, IMO.
Happy Birthday Paul!!!
Level5 PR is in overdrive at the minute feeding negativity to their SMSM puppets.
But as I’ve just had a rant on twitter, our PR team is in severe need of an overhaul.
At times it is beyond amateurish, we get no response on important issues, and blatant fabrication.
Then we will get a random inane tweet/ post about something ridiculous.
For a club of Celtic’s stature we need better, a lot better!
GuyFawkesaforeverhero on 6th May 2016 1:14 pm
Absolutely brilliant to hear that. Thank for sharing.
Paul67,
Many Happy Returns and thank you for providing the platform for us, enjoyed your header today.
Kev J, very happy that you got good news this week, keep the flag flying.
Agree with many who say that we have to grow a set and fight back against these pseudo huns.
what is it with scottish people and voting tory bad enough snp but tory are use still suffering from jus primae noctis and bowing to your englsh master yeah wallace turning in his grave.
Happy Birthday Paul67 – and keep up the good work on the tremendous website
PD,
Bonnie Prince Charlie is buried in the crypt, in an area called the Scavi. I think you have to get a ticket to enter. There is a monument to him and other Stuarts in the main part of St Peter’s.
DANSO
Wid make ye greet…
Celtic Supporters Association just put out a call for a boycott of Record “newspaper”. Let’s bin the rag.
Yes, Celtic’s PR machine is twee and weak but we, as supporters, can employ People Power if we are prepared to stand together. Forza Celtic!!
HH
Interesting that Paul67 refers to the actions and work around resolution 12 as a process. This infers there is some sort of plan. I hope so but last month seemed to indicate Celtic themselves were not in on that plan.
No one will take notice until a large bank of journalists (print) or msm engage the SFA in embarrassment. At the moment it looks as though we are holding the SFA hostage with a time bomb waiting to go off unless they accede to our request. Surely we don’t think the SFA don’t have a plan to deal with that scenario? Discredit the evidence or the people involved – use a PR firm to blackmail them? Create division etc. They could even offer a bargaining chip if they haven’t already done so back in 2012 when the future was being cut up for Celtic?
I frankly cannot believe that major figures at Celtic Park where not looking at Charlotte Fakes with a keen eye.
Not unrelated questions to ponder
Did Celtic want Rangers to start in the second tier?
If they started in the second tier was there a deal made on stripping titles? I.e. start tier 2 strip the titles if not and its bottom tier Celtic get free run at 5?
Completely separate question- Did staff on payroll at the SFA or SPL have EBTs out with former Rangers employees? Where these EBTs set up by the SFA or SPL?
Phylis D
Yes the the Stuart family are the only “Royal” family to be buried in St Peter’s. Note that the entire family are buried in the crypt of St Peter’s and not in the Vatican museum etc.
The monument to the Stuarts is to be found on the left Aisle as you enter St Peter’s and face the Baldachinno and is on the opposite aisle to the Pieta.
You can get some info and see a photo of the monument here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_to_the_Royal_Stuarts
It is one of the most Romantic monuments in St Peter’s with many a Jacobite leaving flowers, heathers etc and custom suggests that if you are a Scot passing Canova’s monument you are meant to slap the lefthandmost angel on the buttock as you pass.
Charles ( who was a drunken bum and relatively hopeless after the 45 ) is buried there but his heart is missing as it remained in Frascati where Charles was initially interred — thus lending kudos to the legend that in death as in life — Charles was never where his heart was.
Clement XIII and others never rated Charles the way they rated his father and he later took the title Duke of Alba and moved to Florence.
The three Stuarts (James and his sons Charles and Henry) are buried together and their monument sits immediately opposite the monument to James’ wife Maria Clementia Sobieska.
When are you going to Rome?
I am going to head there myself for the first time in a few years in July I hope.
Happy to give you my rather long and irreverant Rome guide to read if you are interested.
Despite what the other parties may say I doubt OBFA is particularly high on their list but for the sake of discussion let’s say it’s really important to the SNP (I don’t think it is though). If the SNP really, really wanted it defended they would just strike a deal with the Greens on eg Land Reform, and have a majority.
That’s politics.
Last summer I had the privilege of being a volunteer for the Toronto Pan Am Games, I was part of the press crew at the rebuilt Ivor Wynne Stadium, now called Tim Horton’s Field, for the fitba.
Incidentally we won the Hamilton Cup at that venue in what was probably wee Skip tae Ma Lou’s last farewell with Carl Muggleton the star of the show in the opening game as he saved 2 penalties in a shoot out against the jambos and Paul Byrne scoring our only 2 goals as Mark McNally lifted the trophy. After the game a bitter and twisted sheep chairman said on national radio it was no big deal and didnae get us intae Europe !!!!!!
What was an eye-opener for me was the amount of preparation put into hosting an event where be it sport or concerts. The games were financed by the Federal and Provincial Governments similar to Olympics, World Cups and Commonwealth games as infrastructure had to be rebuilt.
There was however also subsidising wih the plethora of advertising around the games hence the new name of the stadium as Tim Horton’s is Canada’s largest quick service restaurant chain with stores in Canada, US and even the Persian Gulf. Whether we like it or not advertising is a necessary evil, without it our great club would struggle to keep afloat and as I said recently in regard to airports, ticket money just doesn’t cut it hence the need for non-footballing revenue.
On Tuesday, Mrs TT was watching Charlie Rose and called me in. Charlie is a straight talking television talk show host and journalist.
The show in question was a discussion about Leicester City’s win in the English Premier League with John Micklethwait, editor-in-chief of Bloomberg News and a life-long Leicester fan; Tommy Smyth, ESPN soccer analyst; and Roger Bennett, co-host of NBC Sports Network’s ‘Men In Blazers.
Dundalk born Tommy will be well known to ex-pats with his trademark saying about the ball being “in the onion bag”. He also castigated the FGB after he got red carded against Ajax just days after his Rocky impersonation on Shazza, calling him an eejit amongst other undesirable names.
In their analysis of the Fox’s achievement and for the benefit of NA residents they used minor sports clubs as an example and wee Tommy actually said the odds given to Leicester winning the League were similar to Elvis being found alive.
What was interesting was the tactics the Tinker man used, having an average of 40% ball retention they played the counter attack system with Vardy and his pace being the out ball, isn’t that the way we played and won 2 titles.
They also zeroed in on Vardy, who a couple of years back was playing part time in the minors while working in a plastic factory, described as trouble by the “big” teams, hmmm a bit like our wee mhan and Mahrez and Kanté being snapped up from Ligue 2 side Le Havre and Caen in Ligue 1 respectively with the former rejecting the Buddies as it was too cauld up there, citing that they could not compete with the rich sides so played the famed “moneyball” game, don’t we fall into this category.
Kevin De Bruyne and his 55 million quid transfer fee was also used as an example and for all you out there that like to cite share dividends, heated driveways and PL’s bonus, the latter widnae pay for one of young Kev’s toes.
Now before you all start jumping up and down that we are NOT Leicester, 16 years ago most of us, myself included, were prepared to go down the route as Leicester O’ Celtic in an effort to bring some silverware “home to rest in Paradise”.
No matter who replaces Da Doo Ron Ron we will still be continuing with this policy of rearing our own, he was in year 2 of a 5 year plan and as Charlie Gallagher said the club was just too big for him so the next man will be well briefed on what this job entails and the onslaught of negativity he will face and not just from the msm but some of our own. There will be no repeat of the MON years, the money is just NOT there. As for an investment from our wealthy shareholders, I believe as a PLC that the Stock Market forbids this.
I like young Kevin DeB, a Chelsea flop or so it seems, but according to reports we have on our own budding superstars at Lennoxtown now, the mouth waters and the spine chills at the thought of them, so let’s be there to give the bhoys a cheer and don’t be too hard on this young Celtic team.
Old friends Liverpool are now in the EPL Final with a good chance of winning it, albeit with an overpriced team, but they would NOT be there without their marvellous home fans who carried them to victory in their last 2 games, even with their bastardised version of the “Field” and dirge like rendition of “Walk On”.
That’s what we have to emulate, and we can. Send a message to Level 5 and their hun compatriots that we shall not be moved. It is now time for the real Celtic mhen to reclaim the title of TGFITW.
WEEMINGER
Well,if that happens,I won’t vote for either of them in future!
Time they realised who is actually voting for them,seems to be a fair number of,erm,our number.
Won’t get fooled again? Ach,I dunno,I give up wi sheep voting to get fleeced,shagged,and eaten up.
Parkheadcumsalford – thank you sir.
Tontine Tim on 6th May 2016 2:02 pm
Magic mate, well said
HH
BRTH – thanks also, for your rather wordier reply. Yes I’d be glad to see your irreverent guide please. We’ll be there on 22 August, stopping there as part of a Med cruise (did I have to mention that?)
Happy Birthday, Paul 67.
Monthehoops.
BRTH – that bit about slapping the angel’s buttock – you’re on the wind-up aren’t you?
PRESTONPANS BHOYS on 6TH MAY 2016 12:16 PM
Perhaps Celtic should start employing a PR company too…….
Our PR is abysmal mate,but articles like this need to be acted on by the Celtic Board. They are very well paid to lead the Club and the supporters,it’s now time to lead. Ban them,it’s very simple,but we are happy to take their blood money through advertising their rags at Celtic Park,and let them sit in the best seats in the house,and print lies and made up stories. We can only hope the people of Liverpool,and Liverpool FC know the full story,and what is behind it. They had the sense and the leadership to ban The Sun,will our custodians have the cojones to do the same? HH
!!Bada Bing!! on 6th May 2016 2:14 pm
“will our custodians have the cojones to do the same?”
I would say no, they are content to ban individuals but not revenue streams, IMO
Season Book renewal just this minute dropped through the door…
Renewed.
I’ll be back this season, as ah was last season, and the season before………….
I’m no gonny let our enemies destroy us with lies, denials and made up fabricated stories.
C’mon the Hoops on Sunday.. Lets have a win in style and a party afterwards.
K T F.. Hail Hail.
DHARMA BAM, aye, maybe next time………….
CULTSBHOY, you’d think they would.
HAMILTONTIM, indeed.
Hebcelt, I hope so!
FESS19, take care out there.
PRAECEPTA, cheers.
SQUIRE DANAHER, cheers.
JUNGLE JIM, thanks.
jamesgang, I hope not!
JAMES FORREST, indeed.
Doc, thanks.
JUDE2005, we sure are.
GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO, you’re very welcome.
Peter T, I sure will.
TONTINE TIM, that’s not all he missed.
PHILBHOY, thanks. I’m 22 :-)
VESPACIDE, cheers.
CRC, careful there……..
MOONBEAMSWD, cheers.
TELBHOY67, I intend to, thanks.
GREENINBINGLEYINOSLO, it’s a smear, but it’s not a libel, clear or otherwise. It’s a clever use of words and positioning.
LOVEJOYSALEGEND, thanks.
ANTIPODEAN RED, you are very welcome.
EXPAT_CELT, you can count on it.
BIGSHUGGY, cheers.
ANDYR53, well said.
MULLET AND CO 2
CFC are well into the res.12 plan, and don’t let anyone else kid you they’r not,stick around.
Happy birthday P67 have a great day.
Phyllis D
No – not on the wind up at all. Rome is full of strange customs and legends.
For example, every Christmas eve the Church of Santa Maria in Aerocoeli ( next to the Wedding cake, beside the Capitol and just off the Piazza Navona ) has its steps lined with candles and is celebrated by way of leather sandled chaps playing the bagpipes.
http://www.initaly.com/regions/latium/church/aracoeli.htm
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 6TH MAY 2016 2:04 PM
Wings Over Scotland (who I’m aware is now totally discredited on football matters) commissioned a survey on OBFA at the start of last year. The majority supported it.
Now since then, I think a lot more people have been made aware how ludicrous it is, so a similar survey today might not produce the same result.
My view is that it’s something the other parties jumped on because while numbers concerned are small, it’s an issue those people are genuinely passionate about. On that basis, not supporting the act could swing some votes. I’m very cynical though.
Just had a very nice e-mail from the TJN team:
Dear Friends,
Wow – what an amazing 24 hours here at the Offshore Game. Yesterday evening we launched our report into allegations of impropriety at the Scottish Football Association.
Despite no coverage in the mainstream media, the report has had a huge impact, with hundreds of retweets and over 20,000 people visiting our website.
The report, which can be seen here http://www.theoffshoregame.net/475-2/
It makes some serious allegations at the Scottish Football Association over their handling of the Rangers affair, and yet no one at the SFA would respond. Could that change over the next few days? Who knows.
Predictably a lot of the chatter about the report has been about the Old Firm rivalry, we have been accused of being Celtic fans put up to do this.
In reality the issues are much more important than the old firm rivalry. Competition needs a competent regulator to work. The revelations in our report should be of concern to all football fans in Scotland, regardless of their stance on the Glasgow’s great clubs.
Please do share the report with friends.
Wishing you all well,
The Offshore Game team.
========================================================================
My reply:
Hello George,
May I be one of the first to inform you that the real and only “Old Firm” in Scottish Football is the SFA and Oldco/Newco.
Thanks very much for your work – keep at it!
Best Regards,