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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tonydonnelly67 on 6th May 2016 3:10 pm
Why would CFC want to give the DR oxygen when it’s dying on its feet, CFC know the game and don’t bite or have knee jerk reactions to a red top tabloid, as long as we know the score that’s all that needs done, to challenge an article written by alias who ever, is like a grown up making a Christmas list to Santa, (no disrespect Nic)
===========================
TD
I don’t always agree with your views but you’re 100% correct on this.
The correct and classy thing to do would be for CFC to contact the Hillsborough mother (we obviously have connections with the campaign) who was set up by the DR and explain exactly what Paul has set out above and our issues with the DR generally.
No-one will understand the twisted agendas of the redtops better , sadly, than those who have fought for the 96 for all those years.
Crackerjack – I think !
“Shamrocks run wild on Celtic supporting blog – grass seed suppliers disappointed”
…. headline in gutter press !
Celtic 1 Feyenoord 2.
46 years gone and I can still see Van Hanegem and Hasil playing 1 – 2s in midfield against the backdrop of those ####### klaxons..A bummer of a night.
An Tearmann.
Taking your questions in turn.
Will withdrawing our money from CP alter DD’s holding?
No but see next answer.
Will it alter democracy within our club?
Potentially yes. It will force the board to change strategy ( the threat of it changed their approach to pricing already). If all that happens for the disasterous last 4 years at cp is that Ronny gets sacked then nothing meaningful has either changed or been learned. It’s not good enough for Celtic supporters to get all angry after the Huns beat us a couple of weeks ago and then forget that humilation two weeks later. The board performance has been awful. Their tactic is to hide from us and hope we forget. Lawwell needs to go. His performance as a CEO has been calamitous.
Even delaying ST renewal will lead to change. As you can see from Paul and from the board, they haven’t learned a thing and won’t change a thing.
How long would you need to be without Celtic?
Not long. If we didn’t buy season tickets this year and we started turning up on the basis that the board showed intent to change and followed through on it we could start returning to games this next season. It becomes a we pay as you reform approach. The right incentives. Make the board work harder for our money.
Buying our dermot?. We can’t do that. As for other forms of activism, well we can storm the car park etc. But the board just ignore us anyway. I’m sorry there is only one language they get and that’s momey. We can’t buy dermot out if he doesn’t want to sell but he will sure as hell act if he believes his investment is under any sort of threat.
Destabilising Celtic? Ok so if the board have to work harder and do then there is no reason for destabilisation. But the real threat of destabilisation is the board ps collusion a and refusal to tackle the cheating. That us a clear and present danger to the future of Celtic. It has been since the Huns went onto administration. If Celtic refuse to deal with it it’s game over. Now so,e of you wont accept that right away. But it will eat away at you and Celtic over the next few years.
Any benefit brought by DD and PL? Well it depends on what Celtic is for. If Celtic is just about grimly surviving and saving up money then we’ll done to both of them. If Celtic is about succeeding and prospering both on and off the field then no they have done no good. I work in risk management. Business and sport is all about risk taking. Measured risk taking but risk taking nonetheless.
The board have put Celtic in frozen stasis since the Hun died (and before). This is a very risk strategy even though it is portrayed as low risk because as you can see you go backwards very quickly.
None of which calls for reckless spending etc. But having a goal to get better on the pitch should be a minimum requirement. Money balls has seen that approach abandoned.
Late or non renewal of st will force change quickly on Celtic. They are utterly reliant on our money. Withdraw it and we will force change quickly on a board that clearly needs routed.
Season ticket’s binned for next season. Kids not interested and need the cash for wife going back to university. I dare say I’ll make the odd game here or there but it saddens me nonetheless.
Weeminger, The real sad thing in your post is the part “Kids not interested”, when enough kids lose interest then we are in real trouble.
Think because it will be a SNP minority government, this could be the perfect storm for the SNP to rid themselves of the OB act, without losing face. More likely Ruthie and her gang will do the deal. Kudos to Ruthie & Hippie for listening . Labour, turning into a cult. Sad.
Ernie/Weeminger/Big George’s
It’s been nigh on impossible to get any sort of comment on the Act from anyone within the SNP.
McKaskill supports the erection of a statue in commemoration of James Connolly but believes you should be arrested for singing about him at the football! (As a lawyer he also represented several members of the Connolly Society!)
I was recently asked to participate in a debate about the Act in Motherwell. The event was chaired by the Labour Party but invitations were extended to local SNP councilors, members and the candidate. I ended up having to give a speech because all those from the SNP refused to participate. The prospective election candidate stated that she, “Wasn’t prepared to give up a night to talk about football!”
There is hope though.
Nicola Sturgeon spoke at a hustings in Holyrood Secondary School in the lead up to these elections. She’s now on record as saying that all legislation should be under review and that she be happy to listen to anyone criminalised under the Act.
Watch this space.
AULD BERTIE on 6TH MAY 2016 5:38 PM
‘Labour, turning into a cult.’
####
Cults don’t allow dissent.
There’s only one political party in Scotland that doesn’t allow dissent.
It’s not Labour. It’s the SNP.
By the way, was that a copy of the Sun or a copy of the Dandy your leader was brandishing the other day?
Happy Birthday Gaffer
Hope you have had a well deserved…….brilliant day :)
HAMILTONTIM on 6TH MAY 2016 5:49 PM
‘legislation should be under review’……..
‘happy to listen’
###
Weasel words, mean absolutely nothing.
Anyone who thinks those phrases indicate any sort of commitment is naive, to say the least.
Ffs I need to stop speed reading the headlines on Celtic news now, just read one that said
“Patrick Roberts hoping to impress new Celtic boss Pep ”
After I picked myself up off the pub floor and looked at it again I realised I had missed the “AND “out of my first scan. :-(
I blame the Guinness,my eyesight and my stupidity for it all :-)
Anyway its a Brendan for me.
P.s
Happy Birthday Mr B .
Ernie
You’ve not been on the blog much more than hour this afternoon, but already Weeminger is a moron and Hamilton Tim is naive.
You seem a tad ill-humoured today. Have you had some bad news?
ConcernedCSC
WEEMINGER
” Kids not interested”.
Sad !.
A guy I know in Glasgow recently told me that his teenage sons watch Spanish , German , English and European Club competitions on the tele but refuse to go to Celtic Park – ” Scottish football’s crap- Dad “
Did I vote for a Cult?
Naw.
Ftsnp.
Ernie
You’re correct the words mean little, however, we do have something we can hold her to account for.
That’ll do for now.
Puzzeled I don’t have a Leader. I am not a member of any political party. Funny how Labour used to purr up to Murdoch, those naughty socialists Blair, Brown, Oor Ex Chairman, (now involved in the arms industry.) Democracy Ernie, sometimes it is annoying. ACH well, the Leader Bingo game will be in vogue soon. Ian Murray the single MP is only in office because the Tory voters tactically voted Labour. Better together campaign came back to bite.
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 6TH MAY 2016 6:00 PM
No bad news, no.
Yourself?
Are you disagreeing with the substance two points I made, or merely the way I expressed them?
Watching that smug b*****d Cameron on the news boasting how the tories are the second party in Scotland.
Labour get your finger out…huns stick your fleg up your a**e.
https://twitter.com/hjc_official/status/728351876811522048
HAMILTONTIM on 6TH MAY 2016 6:04 PM
There’s nothing there to hold her to account to.
Like the ‘commitment’ on fracking.
Weasel words, devoid of any meaning.
I know it is a bit early but the boy Church has done very well for the sheep since joining.
Worth a punt to partner Griff?
SIPSINI on 6TH MAY 2016 6:08 PM
The Tories used to be the first party in Scotland. It’s worth remembering that.
AULD BERTIE on 6TH MAY 2016 6:06 PM
Wait and see the nats and the Tories voting together to get a budget through Holyrood.
Then tell us about better together.
Cheers for that link Timreaper :-)
Justice for the 96.
And for the lost souls who lost their lives without the justice being achieved.
Always in our thoughts.
YNWA
You’re generally more apt to make your point with wit than enmity.
Irritability doesn’t become you quite so well.
Ernie
We’ll see.
sipsini how long have you worked in BARR N STROUDS.
Ernie l…
I’m well aware of the tories being the first party in the past, I came under the Cathcart constituency with teddy Taylor.
Tory prick thought castlemilk residents couldn’t be trusted with a pub on their doorstep.
I hope the fools that voted for them realise the significance of what they have done!
Daily Ranker issued an apology as per Paul Larkin on FB
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 6TH MAY 2016 6:21 PM
Started my apprenticeship in 1978 and left in 1989 due to OB’s and handshakers.
If we catch up sometime I’ll explain in detail what went on in there back then.
Someone posted a while ago that he works in Thales, who took over when they moved to linthouse…it has dropped the bigotry now and all treated equal.
Funnily enough, where I work now has done the same, if even more so.
Default Record issue apology regarding the safe standing article
AN article which appeared on our website on Thursday May 5 headlined “Celtic
safe standing announcement branded ‘insensitive’ by Hillsborough campaigner”
stated that the club’s chief executive, Peter Lawwell, had announced plans for
safe standing at Celtic Park the previous day.
We would like to make
clear that Celtic had announced in June 2015 that a safe standing section would
be introduced at Celtic Park and that Peter Lawwell did not make any
announcement regarding safe standing on 4 May as we had reported.
We apologise for this error and are happy to set the record straight.
I’m hopeful that the Record’s retraction has come about as a consequence of pressure from Celtic.
those who claim the most freedom in society are the most soulless – journos (msm of course). These people are really believe they are above the law and above question – scum of scum
anyway, one is baloobas already !
Douglas FraserVerified account @BBCDouglasF May 5
Trinity Mirror, publisher of Daily Record etc: revenue so far this year -9%, print advertising -19%
The heading on their website is “Clarification” not “Apology”!
“Clarification on Celtic Park safe standing
18:08, 6 MAY 2016 UPDATED 18:09, 6 MAY 2016
BY DAILYRECORD.CO.UK
CELTIC announced in June 2015 that the club was introducing plans for safe standing at Celtic Park.
AN article which appeared on our website on Thursday May 5 headlined “Celtic safe standing announcement branded ‘insensitive’ by Hillsborough campaigner” stated that the club’s chief executive, Peter Lawwell, had announced plans for safe standing at Celtic Park the previous day.
We would like to make clear that Celtic had announced in June 2015 that a safe standing section would be introduced at Celtic Park and that Peter Lawwell did not make any announcement regarding safe standing on 4 May as we had reported.
We apologise for this error and are happy to set the record straight.”
sipsini
my father in law worked there so I know all about the place.he retired in 1977 so you just missed him .great guy great tim. he was born in ANDERSTON just up the road from you.trying to talk wife into letting me go up for last game v motherwell might meet you for pint or 3 talk about THE HAUGH ,THE PARK ,THE BARRACKS,GEORDIE COPELAND,THE CANNONS, MRS MAGUIRES AND MUCH MORE.
ps and CARFRAE ST.
NegAnon2 on 6th May 2016 4:47 pm
BRTH perhaps you can clear something up for me. Did Celtic refuse to take the issue to UEFA? Are you not now the ones taking it to UEFA? Did the club clearly explain why they refused to do it? Now I may not be a legal expert but I have some experience, if the case is ready to go to UEFA then the legal issues have been ironed out. Then it’s simply a case of who takes it. If there is a legal reason why Celtic can’t do it themselves I have no idea why that is difficult to explain or has to be cryptic? If there is a good and viable reason I am certainly happy to say I am wrong. But I don’t get the mystery.
=======================
If I can answer. The delivery mechanism and method is Immaterial as long as what is delivered comes with the correct authority.
I can assure you that this is key to satisfying us so that we can satisfy shareholders who backed the Resolution. The minutiae only provides gossip fodder but rest assured Res12 is in safe hands and heading in the right direction in an effective manner.
If that changes I’ll be fighting the other lads to be first in the queue to scream.