The entire football world should be delighted at the arrests of six Fifa executives in Switzerland this morning on warrants requested by US prosecutors. Fifa has successfully resisted reform, actively opposed transparency and supressed reports into corruption at the top of the world’s most lucrative sport.
No one will be surprised that president, Sepp Blatter, who was not one of the six arrested today, is deaf to calls for accountability at the top. He plans to stand in Friday’s election, no doubt keen to guide the Federation through its dealings with law enforcement agencies. Those arrested have yet to be charged with any crime, never mind successfully prosecuted, so Blatter has plausible deniability of wrongdoing on the part of Fifa, but under any properly constituted organisation he would step aside to let fresh blood reinvigorate the game.
The news that Swiss police are investigating the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process is even more welcome than the arrests. This investigation is separate to that being carried out by US authorities and may ultimately be more pivotal in freeing the game from the grasp of bribery and corruption.
Mike Ashley is getting his Rangers International PLC (RIPLC) General Meeting, on 12 June, at which, the directors of Rangers International PLC have decided to titillate shareholders with details of Rangers Retail Limited’s shareholders agreement, between the club and Ashley, although they note this agreement is subject to confidentiality agreements – and details appear to have been leaked today.
In an eye catching move, the directors of RIPLC are considering disapplying voting rights of shareholders who hold shares in other football clubs, in this case, Mike Ashley, who owns Newcastle United.
It’s worth saying this remains no more than bluster for now. They are “considering” disapplying rights and will lay out a “timetable for presenting a resolution for shareholders’ consideration”. I cannot believe they would be so self-harming that they would actually try to remove Ashley’s voting rights. Mike has the resources to destroy them in court, and it’s a tad futile to risk enormous legal consequences to disenfranchise someone when you and your supporters control the majority of shares. Ashley could easily circumnavigate any such act, should is be successful, but selling his shares to a trusted third party.
As such this element of the debate is futile, not even King is stupid enough to waste time and energy on it. He would lose heavily, and even if he won, Ashley would accommodate the outcome without breaking sweat. This is some tough talking but I’d like to see them try it (I genuinely would).
Two resolutions are proposed: the first by Ashley, that his £5m loan is repaid “as soon as possible”, in return for the release of security over RIPLC’s intellectual property, Murray Park, Albion Car Park and Edmiston House. Ashley is happy to hand this back, he’s a retailer, retail rights are what he’s interested in.
The second, proposed by the board, asks for shareholder approval to demand all of the club’s relationships with Sports Direct group companies, the loan, securities and the lucrative retail rights, are “renegotiated on a basis that is fair and reasonable”.
Here we get to the crux of the matter. Dave King told us months ago that Mike Ashley was a businessman, and that he would recognise the hand King dealt him and fold. The contrary view is that Mike Ashley is a businessman who will not be dictated to.
There’s a scene in Groundhog Day when lead character Phil, realising he can act without consequences, as even after death he’d pop up the next day as though nothing happened, drives onto a railway track.
Nodding to the oncoming train he says “I bet he’s going to swerve first”. Mike Ashley is the oncoming train. Trains don’t swerve. Groundhog Day looks increasingly likely, 06:00 will strike with an away day at Brechin under a provisional membership.
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Any Celtic fan I know who goes to the games don’t want the huns back in the league, different story with armchair fans though, I know quite a few who do want them back and say they miss these games…
It’s also pointless trying to discuss it with them as they don’t really care about the politics, they do quote SSB though as where they get there information from, something I’ve not listened too for years…
Id agree with that
Jude
Hope so. I loved Sally managing them. :)
Mike in Toronto,
A nice song for you.
All being well I will be booking the flight to Toronto, this weekend.
http://youtu.be/N1oJapHRQy8
HH,
Clogher
Delaneys Dunk ;) no mate why?
David Will rip.
Auldheid
But he had obviously seen the error of his ways when Big Hauns invited him onto the Sevco board in 2013.
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-lower-divisions/tom-english-walter-smith-not-blameless-at-rangers-1-3134224
“The financial bit of Rangers (sic) Football Club and common sense don’t often go together”
Or, the least you can do is let us do what we want!
Auldheid
As Sportswriter of the Year (2 Years running – who votes for these people?!) I would have thought hard figures on Smith’s spending would’ve been of interest to anyone professing to be a journalist. That’s my opinion!!
Incidentally why is it that such an esteemed, respected member of the SMSM only reports on a 3 year old club. His colleagues get to report on the best team in Scotland and others in the top flight.
I would’ve thought with his honours he would’ve been a shoe-in to do this!
Clogher …
will give it a listen. thanks. The amount of great music I have learned about from CQN, that I would likely never have heard of otherwise, is remarkable.
Remind me … when are you coming into TO?
Night all. Cot for me now. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Shameless link to fave broonie moment versus Them
https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/6D652FF4481173692329409069056_322dfe6afeb.1.5.2442665064713835387.mp4?versionId=YFOMPmoPmRSo53dS3Uhidwx2WPXLcqyw
Weefra
GNGB. Glad you are on the mend pal.
I think the SFA should push for the 2022 World Cup once Qatar is rescinded
Last thing for tonight, I support the board as I think they do a decent job in a tough environment but totally disagree with them on the huns moving our supporters out of there seats. I would give them the same allocation as Aberdeen / Hearts etc, the sheep asked for more seats this season and we knocked them back, we should treat these monkeys the same way….
I know it would end up tit for tat and they would do the same, but that would be the message to them that they aren’t the same as before….
I was over on rangers media for a laugh.
Some comments are that us FBI will go after peter lawell now.
So funny.
Mike,
My cousins’ wedding in Milton on the 11th of July. Sometime about then.
Clogher.
DD
TY. :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
west end of east end
22:00 on 27 May, 2015
“Who are these people? I want to know who these people are?”
Coca Cola are mightily miffed with FIFA. – not happy about being associated with something so ” tarnished “
Huns are bad mmmmmkaaaay
Mr. Mackey CQN
http://youtu.be/Uh7l8dx-h8M
Sevcod v Motherwell league cup 2012.
Alloys zombies beat mccalls liedoons 2-0.
Watched the highlights well could have scored four before the zombies .
Well wee section packed out, they were top of the premier by the way.
Attendance.
29000
clogher …. feel free to get my email from P67. lets see if we can arrange something …
cheers.
WeefratheTim
goodnight Weefra hope you are still feeling ok
KTF
HH
dwill7
21:29 on 27 May, 2015
Weebobbycollins- could not agree more mate he actually was only supposed to say a few words and everyone just let him keep going on and on.
———–
Maybe somebody could have asked him about Unirea Urzicen…….
FIFA corruption?
I can’t believe it’s not Blatter.
West end.
Celtic PLC missed a great chance to establish a new rival by not giving Aberdeen as many tickets as they could sell for the 4-0 game.
Let them fill it up.
Give the zombies the wee corner. No more old firm marketing pish.
Shame that Campbell Ogilvie didn’t get that FIFA gig after all. I wouldn`t mind seeing him get some justice US style.
An orange jumpsuit and a wee spell in Guantanamo Bay would be too good for that cheat.
New away strip-
Orange jump suit.
MASH would cash
south of tunis
22:19 on 27 May, 2015
Not to worry. When Coca Cola were tarnished by selling coke to the Nazis they invented Fanta. I wonder what color Blatta will be.
TGBS
Hinging would be too good for RC Ogilvie.
THIEFA.
Fanta was invented by the Nazis, as a drink for the volks to stop them drinking american coke type substances.
south of tunis
22:30 on 27 May, 2015
:)
M McGill
The nazis marched well on their product from Colombia.
Quite funny that the nationalist are reprimanded in parliament by the speaker for clapping. As unconvential.
From that I would do it everytime
Regarding Regan’s comments on Blatter – is it not the case that he has 41 fewer convictions than someone he (Regan) just passed as fit and proper?
Just watching the news by the way, I wasn’t there
Blatta will be the color of catarrh.