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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south of tunis
22:37 on 27 May, 2015
Brilliant!
“They are still losing money. But when you make a decision to be involved at Rangers, there is no common sense to it. The financial bit of Rangers Football Club and common sense don’t often go together.” (Wally Smith)
Says it all – W.A.S.P. sense of entitlement
Margaret McGill
22:14 on 27 May, 2015
west end of east end
22:00 on 27 May, 2015
“Who are these people? I want to know who these people are?”
————————————————————————————–
Jim, James, Pete, wee Bill, Big Bob, Mary Ellen & John Bhoy….
Look what’s the worst that can happen?
Sevco get liquidated and are parachuted into div 3
Again
Celtic will help stop that though
Old firm r us
Gordon Smith on STV pontificating.
False as feck bloke.
Goodnight Timland
HH
Lads why the downer on smith
Didn’t wee chic say the debt was coming down when the tax bills dropped in the letterbox
No problem whats18 million between friends
DD-Sevco new Director of Football….?
BB
Hopefully. Every time he opens his mouth, an untruth is uttered.
Lying lowlife.
•-:¦:-•**• -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-•
21:34 on 27 May, 2015
#lovefootballhatefifa
https://twitter.com/r_0904/status/603660120329957377
—–
Ye will need to stop doing that :)))))))
So the US authorities stepped in when FIFA magazine declared that the rangers were the same club as rangers, and that their gentle rowing boat fraternity brotherhood were indeed handsome huns.
Modern day fenian descendant Elliot ness types then decide corruption was too obvious.
Up next,
Oglive declares he was duped by Murray, and wants to pay back the debt.
DD-Another con man.
The debt/ebt
Should be interchangeable.
Its not a loan
Thinks Mike,
If I get booked I will come back.
What part of Toronto are you in?
“Onto Toronto pronto Tonto”
The The Lone Ranger.
My boy has just told me he went to the two heided man pub which is just round the corner from the Hellman’s bridge. I asked him if it was made of mayonaisse. I still love him.
WK67
Kevin Kilbane on TV3 in Ireland, praising the boy who scored Dnipro’s second goal from a free kick.
” A modern day Moravcik”, he said. ” Left foot or right foot”.
BB
A match made in Beelzebub’s empire.
Watch them devoured by untruth.
Wee Stu has accused motherwell of putting another “dent” in Scottish footballs image….mullet heid fails to mention the big one ie the cat-d crash which happened in 2012…….some one mentioned his record whilst as manager of well, his success was a bit drab….Motherwell since 2002 have played them 38 times…….29 defeats…..drew with them 9 times……
WK67
Matt McGinn CSC.
WK67
McGinn fae the Calton.
Kevin Barry. The Sash tune. Magic. ;)
BB,
Sorry just logged back on. Is that wee joke aimed at me?
BREAKING: Mitchell Dijks and #Ajax came to an agreement. More details tomorrow morning (via @MikeVerweij). #Celtic http://t.co/AMOlhjlH3C
Clogher Celt
No. The good news is that you’re probably too young to get it, ya lucky sod!
Kids’ TV show from a looooong time ago.
clogher celt
23:22 on 27 May, 2015BB,Sorry just logged back on. Is that wee joke aimed at me?
me mate?
Ok, I will some research and get back.
Thanks,
Martin.
Wait a minute!
Bada Bing’s on, Clogher.
Abbreviation disorientation!
If your going to the hootenanny next year
Careful who you fly wi ;))
http://youtu.be/g3so6AJe4UQ
HH
Abreviations.
Y c l w t , y c l w t
No Bada Bing,
Not you. All sorted now.
In fact I was thinking about you and Jobo, today. As far as I know you are from EK. I was walking in the Cooley Mountains today, I think you would love it here.
Anyway,
Take Care
Too many BBs and DDs. I am not Dermot Tallybhoy. I am a Polish/Irishman like Dermot Desmond though. ;)
Born in Paisley though. :)
Jack Warner lifted in Jamaica.
Cc getting BB mixed up with BB. WTF.
OaO
RT
clogher celt-doing fine here,need to have a word with Jobo re weather over here :( HH
Clogher – stunning area. One of my favourites
The cooleys that is… And carlingford….
Oiche mhaith a chairde….
RT
Add !! 2 BB > NP, CC.