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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‘AN article which appeared on our website’
As if by magic.
The Rekord…………..and……and……and…………
……………… all the other wee sleekit jibe merchants are sick……..
at the success of Celtic…..
………….. made all the more vitriolic, by the rotten corpse of thur team and that of scoddish fitba’ in general.
Hell mend thum.
There’s Always Gonna Be a Show.
Hi TT !
Thanks for taking time out to drop me response to note from last night – appreciated.
I’ve got a fair number of relatives living in Toronto area myself – they moved “oot ” there back in the late 60’s from my Dad’s home town ( Ballieston / St Bridget’s Parish ) and are now settled in a town / area ( ? ) called Scarborough ?
Never been myself but it’s on the “to do” list at some point before I kick the bucket………..
Hail…..Hail……
Charlie McK
CharlieBhoy on 5th May 2016 10:32 pm
Good Evening Tontine Tim ! Thanks for the grammatical correction re my incorrect spelling for “jeelyeater” – can only excuse myself by admitting that I’m not a 100% born & bred “Vale Man” – born in Bellshill and lived in Coatbridge till 5 yrs – then emigrated to Bonhill !
Presume that you’re Ex St Martins PS then St Pats ( I was St Mary’s then St Pats )
*Naw St Marys like you, I use the Tontine name as that’s where our first captain and goal scorer honed their skills, plus I enjoyed a portion of my teens down there.
I’m like EDB on here a Haldaneite.
Incidentally my mother’s grandparents and siblings moved tae Bonhill from the Black North and raised their own families there; they are buried in the same graveyard as the famed Neilly McCallum. One of the family party pieces at wee socials was “The Braes O’ Bu-nill”.
Are you still in the area ?
*naw 3.5k away.
Would you go to The Lennox for a pint much ?
*did at one time as Mrs TT’s fae the Rock as was my da.
Ian Ferns – the Da of THE BABE of my youthful acquaintance – was with the Coop Insurance when I knew him and sadly passed away a few years ago ( RIP ) – good wee guy as was Mrs Ferns ( teacher in St Peters, Bellsmyre )
*Mrs TT remembers a Mrs Ferns who taught at Notre Dame, Clerkhill tae you.
I went to a few games on the Renton bus when W.Scullion was involved – I know “Big Jim” McC from Dumbarton ( Bellsmyre ) well….presume that you might also
*W Scullion’s bhoy is a committee member in the Renton CS. Last summer I met one of the RCSC founder members out here on vacation in the wee town I live approx 60kms north west of Toronto.
Meant tae add there was a charity hike least week in memory of a wee Bankie that lived up Bellsmyre, he sadly passed away last year from Alz, Willie Coyle was his name and he was a great wee Tim, I knew him well.
Hoopy bday Paul67….have a Braw Braw day…….pair wee ducks!!!!!
Boom boom….
Braw…over and oot…..
CharlieBhoy on 6th May 2016 6:58 pm
Hi TT !
Thanks for taking time out to drop me response to note from last night – appreciated.
I’ve got a fair number of relatives living in Toronto area myself – they moved “oot ” there back in the late 60’s from my Dad’s home town ( Ballieston / St Bridget’s Parish ) and are now settled in a town / area ( ? ) called Scarborough ?
*Scarberia its known as and is a suburb of TO, was a nice place full of ex-pats but I widnae go near it now unless I was wearing Kevlar, I kid you not.
I originally moved out here in the late 60s but was back in the Vale a year later just in time tae go tae Milan :-(((( and as SoT says those effin klaxons.
There was mass immigration in the 60s including family of mine but no more, the Europeans no longer come here.
BANKIEBHOY1
There’s Always Gonna Be a Show.
And the Frankenstein’s monster cobbled together out of auld rotten bits of ra Rainjurs, wullnae!
Can’t wait for all those opposition parties who now outnumber SNP, joining together to repeal OB Act.
Happy birthday Paul67,
Have a brilliant day.
You put up with a lot on here – myself included.
Hoping all the ducks are safe.
OrnithologistCSC
Good Evening Timland.
Paul 67.
I have long posted here criticising those who moan about MSM yet continue to support it finacially and give it the oxygen of publicity.
Same applies to Celtic.
Club should put a blanket ban on media and all employees should be banned from participating in it.
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 6TH MAY 2016 6:46 PM
Be good to meet up for a beer, I’m actually from gorbals/castlemilk, your father in law will have fond memories of the huns, like myself:((
I will make the Motherwell game, a bit peed off I’ll miss the meet up tomorrow and the game on Sunday as it’s my brothers grandsons baptism…so Dalgety bay tomorrow and Edinburgh for the baptism at 1.30 on Sunday…grrr. HH
Hoopy Birthday P67, hope your having a great day…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
what would you say to rd if you bumped into him ?
Sorry Paul 67, have a grand birthday and keep doing what you do, as it has changed so many peoples outlook on what has been going on for all those cheating years. HH
Bobby Madden is the ref on Sunday.
Caledonia Rd, drakemire Dr.
Gorbals and the “MILK ”
For me .
Now I live in a land were I dont even have to open the curtains to find out the weather.
Sumdae oan here dis It for me.
EK. OK
Happy birthday Paul67
Reading back,looks like I missed a Birthday.
Happy Birthday Paul, have a great day and keep up the good work.
Re the DR
There surely is no question after today that you could not even use this rag as toilet paper as you would end up with more S**T on yer jacksie than you had to start with .
Who was the nameless pond life that ran the piece and have they been shown the error of their ways .
Maybe a call from the club to the rag to enquire who’s been promoted might root them oot .
trumpet CSC
…………when brickbats are being aimed at our Club , even beyond those of the sleekit troll(s), with regards to Celtic’s publicity and public relations, it is worhwhile “bearing” in mind the currant effort perpetrated by those who hate us and our community.
MissionImpossible CSC
50 SHADES OF GREEN on 6TH MAY 2016 7:34 PM
Caledonia RD a few closes up from the graveyard then Glenacre quad, a few places since.
Settled now:))
I think it’s time we all congratulated young Paul together
Hip hip
Great goal DU.
Reading back and it seems like we are moving forward. Okay, a bit of a juxtaposition but delighted to hear that REs 12 is still on track, the latest digital media revelations ( that we already knew about) must be doing some good as the MSM are pretending it does not exist. All in all not a bad start to the weekend when we officially become champions.
I am having major back spasms from all this DIY shite I am involved in currently, I am truly too old but the old warhorse in me rises to the bait when I see the young tradesmen lifting and loading and I have to jump in and make a tit of myself. What does it all mean? I will be there on Sunday if my commitments permit, in the light of recent events , the JFT 96 people deserve a rousing lap of honour, in all honesty they deserve more of a lap of honour than our own team do , but that is for another day.
Time for a beer, just to ease the pain of course…
HH
Looking forward to a good game on Sunday .
Let’s give the dons a football lesson Celtic
5 and counting
Also a wee mention to the wee bhoys ,great acheivement .
C’mon you bhoys n green
HH
FERGUSSLAYEDTHEBLUES
The pond life was a Telegraph ‘journalist’ called Ben Rumsby. Low life. the dr must have taken his story after it appeared in the telegraph.
Scum.
…………..that story will have been pre-packaged, pre -fabricated and pre-meditated.
FE.
Sipsini
I knew a few good Tims who worked at B&S back in the late 70s/early 80s.
I seem to recall a (perhaps apocryphal) tale from around that era of the recruitment officer having quietly converted to Catholicism.
This fact only came to light when it was noticed that, rather than the usual 1 or 2 Token Tim apprentices, nearly all the year’s intake were wine grapes.
Can you remember such an occasion … ?
VIP
I can exclusively reveal that our new managers top signing target has just scored for Dundee United
Spent a couple of hours yesterday in West Belfast pushing SF. They were looking for 5 seats–no chance. A great machine in action is good to see, but Gerry Carroll was odds on to upset the applecart. It shows what can be done by banding together.Speaking to Alex Maskey, he was aware of the support for Gerry. SF lost a lot of votes through their backing for Casement Park when all the residents opposed it.
Think of what you could do locally if you organised like this.
SNP?—I’ve said it before, start your own Scottish Republican Party–and don’t apologise for doing so.
Auldheid. Thanks for the response. However I believe the method of delivery is in fact very important. Because it tells us whether Celtic are serious or not about tackling cheating and corruption.
So have they explained/given a reason why they won’t?
I have written to The Telegraph asking if they did the dirty deed or just copied and pasted from the Scottish rag? I’ll let you know when and if they reply.
Happy Birthday to our host.
Commiserations to James Kelly, voted out of the Rutherglen constituency election, with the encouragement of Joe McHugh’s Video Celts site, when not a word was raised by them about Yousaf Humza’s slur. Thankfully, he will still be at Holyrood via the mental List system.
Now all those SNP supporters are on here encouraging the opposition they opposed to vote the OBaF Act down while they commit their votes to the proponents of this snobbish Act. And when it is voted down, they will dutifuly congratulate the SNP for doing so.
And well done to Connaire 12 for making the sacrifice.
Happy Birthday Paul67…
Hope you’re having a great day!
Hail Hail
Happy Birthday Paul67.
What did the ducks ever do for us anyway lol
HH
Trinity Mirror remain involved with the production and design of the Celtic View.
There is a fascinating story around this. Remember when the old Board sold Stuart Slater for £750,000?
They needed a million so the Celtic View was sold on the QT.
For £250,000 to a complete and utter scumbag.
He had worked in tabloids and joined up with Jack Irvine – another scumbag – to launch a new newspaper which gave away free mince on its launch edition.
Our new owner of the Celtic View came from that association but of course the money came from elsewhere.
The man who launched the newspaper that flopped.
I knew about this and looked into it extensively at the time. It was before the days of the Internet so I printed leaflets and handed them out outside of Celtic Park.
Most people thought I was daft. They were right.
What was frustrating was I couldn’t prove who I knew owned the Celtic View.
Because the trail let to an offshore company in the British Virgin Islands.
Years later we’d understand.
When Fergus took over I gave him all the facts and boy was he interested. I also gave him detailed costs on what the Celtic View should cost.
Of course by then this scumbag had sold his business to guess who?
The Daily Record.
They were staging also sorts of dinners milking the Celtic fans. Some of you would have been at these.
Fergus told him he’d stop it altogether rather than allow the position to continue. Eventually a compromise was reached. Celtic got it back – they paid for it – and scumbag got a five year publishing deal.
With bigotry oozing from his pours he was banned from Celtic Park.
The relationship between Celtic media staff and his was tense. Unfair on the workers who had to endure a tyrant, ignorant orange bassa of a boss.
The Money in the early 1990’s came from David Murray’s borrowings ( again as we later discovered).
Today the Record’s owners Trinity Mirror have a commercial interest in the Celtic View.
Mark Daly was going to use this story in his award winning documentary.
It’s time we cleansed our club of these scumbags.
Just saying….
JUNGLE VIP on 6TH MAY 2016 8:10 PM
My brother became the youngest foreman in there (21 at the time) the huns were going mental about it, I had a few run ins at the time, that was in the optical department and he started a string of Tim apprentices before left.
If you are still in contact with any of your mates… His name is Eddie, now a financial director with BT.
Timsareuscfc. HH
Paul67 May I wish you a very HB
I assume you will not be reading this as Mrs P67 will be “entertaining” you
The article today is outstanding (not the information thats actually depressing) the fact that you bring this to the Celtic audience is a reflection on the quality of the blog – thank you
I would still have like a debate on our CEO – and for balance the work he has just concluded with Dafabet and Magners is outstanding – but it begs the question how can someone so commercially brilliant buy Carlton Cole Derek Boarichter (spelling?) etc
67ECW
Just a wee reminder that there is a clique meeting tomorrow afternoon
Not the big BMCUW cliquey thing but a splinter group set up by the people’s front of Acgr and the Oldtim judean front
Splitters the lot of them