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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BB
Mary Jane possession? ;))
BB,
Maybe see you both here in 2016,
Irish Open this week. Let’s hope the weather holds up.
Heading up at the weekend.
clogher …
downtown/east end of toronto ….
at your convenience.
HH
DD
Non-puffer.
Well, unless going up a slight incline.
roberttressel,
I have travelled a wee bit, but The Cooley mountains are spectacular.
Was only saying today that County Louth is the wee gem.
Coasts, mountains, history, proximity to Dublin and Belfast. It has it all.
CC
Enjoy! (WP, of course!).
Clogher
This DD will be in Dublin in 2016 God willing.
Hope Dermot Desmond and my childhood pal Dallas Dallas can make it too. :)
If Coca Cola think their money is now FIFA tarnished they could just drop the pennies in a glass of their own product and hey presto – absence of tarnish.
I think that was your gag SOT, but just in case. :o)
I remember doing that with two pence pieces because when old pennies were coin of the realm my folks couldn’t afford Coke Cola. Only time I got ginger was when they sent it out to me when they went in the pub on holiday. Warm ginger…I’m sure there’s another gag there somewhere.
Moving on CSC
Clogher
I love Mourne on the drive fae Belfast to Dublin.
Rwe
To do with a famous on-screen partnership?
Beatbhoy
Jock Stein stand lower suits this puffer. Was in JS upper for the Inter game.
Loved the view when I got my breath back at half time. ;)))
JS upper?
Where did you pitch base camp?
When I was in my fantastic seat in the North Stand 406, my motto was:
Don’t forget the lift pass!
Beatbhoy
No oxygen masks anywhere on the ascent. Snow covering in row ZZ. ;)
DD
You were definitely high that night!
A wee song from Ireland for you all.
http://youtu.be/mY02Tz5cHlo
DD
Left on a high myself from the opposite end that night after JG’s equaliser, unlike those who had made a premature exit.
Will they never learn?
DD,
You have to be here.
Won’t be the same without you.
I’m halfway to Dublin, stop over here.
Clogherhead
Beatbhoy
Getting high is my daily mission.
Celtic look better, as does this world gone wrong.
War is good for the arms manufacturers.
You can stick yer feckin Trident up the Thames.
CND
DD is not PC but the other DD is Meanwhile BT is never PL but P67 can be! TT has own biz and I suspect RWE does anaw. BCMUW is the straw that binds and Oldtim is the spit in it aw. Sanna looks after the weans and Jobo does the weather. Canman chases Res and Morrissey does the leather. Kev calls injustice while hiding in the jungle. PFayr gives a legal slant which BRTH mustn’t fumble. Clogher tries to rally the troops…at least it isn’t Munster!
Beatbhoy
Mass confusion. Spoonfed to the blind.
Paolo Nutini, Charlie Chaplin CSC
You are not machines.You are human beings.
Freedom.
Clogher
My son and I will arrive in the Emerald Isle with our rock festival camping gear.
Room to Roam. Mike Scott CSC
beatbhoy
Thanks for outing me right but I’m in the dark as usual.
HH
Apart from Stephen Patrick Morrissey the 23rd and I, are there any other CQN going to Cowgate Edinburgh on June 6th to celebrate the life of my hero James Connolly. Was hoping to hire a mini bus fae Clydebank.
http://youtu.be/1SMGZNWztyk
I know I posted this before,
But a goodnight song.
HH,
Clogher
Rwe
I thought you were alluding to a very old, post-watershed, joke about Fred Astaire and his on-screen dance partner Ginger Rogers!
This being older than most on here is starting to cause a few problems when referencing things, as tonight shows!
And, like you Rwe, I think Fred and Ginger were in the dark, too!
DD,
Nope you both stay in my place. Spoke to Mrs C earlier. Done deal.
BMCUWP’s you are expected in Clogherhead too. I have a room for yourself and your father.
Sorted.
No one on CQN that bothered about Scotland greatest politician James Connolly? Heyho.
Clogher
My son and I are up for a week in the Emerald Isle. First stop Sligo, my grandad’s birthplace. Ryan’s maternal great grandad is a Carlow man. Canny wait.
God bless you and your work in uniting us. :)
DD,
This is for you… James Connolly,
http://youtu.be/wEmy8nif7J8
Clogher
Beautiful tear inducing rendition of James Connolly.
Thank you.
DD,
Hopefully, I have been told so many times in the last week.’James Connolly from Cowgate in Edinburgh.’
We all owe James a good year next year.
HH
Clogher
A working class hero is something to be!
John Winston Lennon.
How long shall they kill our prophets?
Whilst we stand aside and look.
Robert Nesta Marley
Come Kingdom Come
Jesus Christ
Cloochtercelt. Imelda Mae is superb.
Have not read back but has anyone or everyone commented on the parallel universe stuff re the FIFA scandal of corruption and it’s wall to wall coverage, analysis and general trumpeting and the wall of silence that continues from the Scottish/Brittish press re the Rankers scandal?
FIFA are institutionally corrupt. We all knew this. It’s about money. The SFA is also corrupt but it’s not only about money.
So bored with close season.
HH
clogher celt
I honestly never heard that rendition of James Connelly.Absolutely beautiful. I shed a wee tear listening Well done .Hail Hail
Skyis
The Capitalist bassas are gonnae get done soon.
Viva la Revolution!
Ogilvie is first against the wall.
Cest la vie!
beatbhoy
I will now conduct exhaustive internet searches for the gory details.
Nice blethering to you.
Mon the well
Kill the Bill