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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!!bada bing!!
19:52 on 27 May, 2015
1-0 Dnipro good goal
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It was a good goal but the keeper was hopeless.
bournesouprecipe
19:50 on 27 May, 2015
The D in Dnipro is silent *just in case your wife comes in and says whose playing.
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Might get a bit confusing next time Dundee United are playing:-)
whitedog …. hi pal! what is it called? I’ll see if I can find it on the old tinternet? (PS … it better not be Jamie Oliver! :)
SFTB
well said but WWF it is now. It is even on our terms and conditions for a new season ticket. Instead of our own children dont forget. It is them snd tbe bigots that are being accomodated. If that is not corrupt then what is?
Anybody who cannot see it for what it is, is a moron or on the take.
HH
Good evening friends.
sftb If anything their arrogance has hardened my stance against them ………….
I will remain happy never to have to see them in top flight again
HH
My friends in Celtic, Rwe winning captains et al,
Personally the fact the”rangers” will be back is extremely hard to take and frankly sickening. However if it’s not this year then it will be next.
Celtic supporters are divided over this scienario.
Will the fixture help us attract players? Is the fixture a selling point to promote the club. I really don’t know, but it used to be if former players are to be believed.
It is easy to cherry pick what KC said at his interview. Of course the questions were loaded. Hugh Keevens was invited to Lennoxtown at this particular time, they were never going to discuss the weather. Should the interview have taken place, that is a different question.
HH.
whitedoghunch
talking of sharks this is my son’s company
http://www.sharkcricket.com/
shamelesspromotionCSC
!!bada bing!!
Yep, I get the Nike and Brazil connection, pre 2002 Nike truly thought they could replace Adidas as the global soccer brand. Adidas held firm and prevailed, just recently Nike have been less active in soccer marketing, they have never been an official sponsor of a WorldCup or Euro Championship. That does not mean they are not aware of dark deeds.
Name That Tune?
*eeply *ippy
magic mike, just magic.
as i say often, and particulalry for your peat fire .
keep it lit.
…. even 40 years later, the smell of a peat fire still makes me think of Donegal …
Italic hoy,
Agree.
HH to you.
Jobo Baldie
19:58 on
27 May, 2015
Good evening friends.
:-))
HH
For the East/West Kilbride bhoys, here is the birthplace of your patron.
Just north of Dundalk, a nice place to stop if anyone is driving over.
HH,
Clogher
http://youtu.be/-ikMsmp2ZK4
If anyone knows that fud ( fae pollokshields ) or his best pal, have a word wi them and inform him, they died….simples.
jmccormick-absolutely,ta for reply.
On ssb, Paul from Pollokshaws insisted that any Celtic fan who didn’t want sevco in the SPFL was just being bitter…..and he purported to be a good Celtic fan……..raised a smile…..
For the record, it’s the hate-filled currant bhun hordes who rioted in Manchester, urinated on Valencia fans, and generally messed up any visited town / city for years, that I don’t want ressurrected in a different guise……….I also don’t want to return to the days of Celtic Supporters being assaulted by these animals for nothing worse than wearing a Celtic scarf / strip…..
Sevilla attack non stop
Dnipro score
There’s your dinner CSC
While I’m on it….
How much was the TV money when they were alive? I don’t think it was any better than now, I’ll stand corrected if wrong.
And also…
All this talk about Celtic needing a challenge, are sevco going to be able challenge us?
Next year or in the near future?
C’mon Motherwell, do us all a favour.
mike
Shark First shown: 7 May 2015
twas a real chef Tony Bourdain who had the fin soup no that wee boy
SFTB…
Nothing to add to that, spot on mate :(
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
19:47 on
27 May, 2015
The Campbell Ogilvie strategy all along has been to keep his head down, say nothing publicly, and not interrupt his enemies as they, in his view, waste their ammunition at a guy safely tucked up in his bunker and protected by some serious figures.
I believe that part of the knuckle crunching jargon is that ‘ I was brought up to be cautious’.
Just as well *avie *o**s never played for *nipro…..
Burgas Hoops
09:26 on
27 May, 2015
Nikola Kalinic to score 1st goal tonight @ 11/1…………………………….that’ll do-)))
______________________________
How’s that for luck -)))
Dena29: “I hate the close season………….roll on July”.
Not the 12th, I hope:)
HebCelt: I popped that in the post today, let me know when it arrives. Tapadh leat arís.
Just a matter of time…1-1
Could be a high-scoring game this..
Burgas…
I read you’re post about that bet earlier and forgot…anyways well in.
Tallybhoy
I tried that, but when she looked at the name on the screen she still said…. “Who?”
67heaven
You forgot to mention A and E departments
Dont want them either.
Italiiabhoy,
Apologies with my debacle on your name spelling. Pesky predictive text gets the better of me yet again.
HH.
Pedro…
The fud will be a plant, any tim I know wants Motherwell to stay up, with SD scoring the winner.
Well played linesman!
Clogher
The ladywell shrine outside Dundalk is a nice place to visit too
tom mclaughlin
18:30 on 27 May, 2015
———
Thanks for the post. I always try to read your posts which I usually value.
In particular, I thought your drive fraternity’s were inspiring!
Anyway…..
I agree that too often, we tag minor decisions or actions as being “corrupt”, which ultimately hinders the big picture in my opinion.
I have to completely disagree with your comments that the SFA is merely mismanaged and incompetent. They as a governing body have demonstrated widespread corruption on many occasions, albeit, not comparable with FIFA story in terms of finance.
I hope this post does not appear to be argumentative as that’s not my objective. It is more to point out your view is certainly not what I perceive as being the widespread view of celtic.
I have spoken on here several times before about the overuse of the word “corrupt”.
Every time Sevco got a dubious throw-in the SFA were corrupt. Every time Sevco won promotion through football merit, the SFA were corrupt. Whenever Sevco won a game, the Celtic board were corrupt. Now the chickens have come home to roost.
The SFA are guilty of gross incompetence and mismanagement and heads should roll, but anyone accusing them of corruption needs to back it up with hard evidence. And bending/ignoring rules is not corruption. If you are going to compare the SFA with FIFA then you have to be talking fraud, bribery and brown paper bags full of cash. If so, provide the evidence.
If you insist on accusing the SFA of corruption, do what Paul67 asked you to do previously and append your full name and address to your post.
No, didn’t think so.
In my opinion Stuart Regan’s statement today was reasonable and concise and no more than what was expected. The SFA clearly had to say something as a member of FIFA.
I have read CQN today with increasing alarm and no little disgust and can assure you I am no cheerleader for the SFA but enough is enough.
Bacca rounds the keeper like a James Forrest
sipsini
18:47 on 27 May, 2015
Mike…
Don’t get me wrong, he’s daft as a brush but sharp as a tack…if that makes sense;)
Next time your over would be a good reason for a hootenanny, with BMCUWP’s consent of course.
~~~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~~~
My consent?
Tchah,I’m bliddy delighted embdy turns up at all!!!
SFTB…….
Well put.
HH.