It’s always encouraging to read positive comment on your club, so the positivity from a sports brand consultant at Brand Finance was welcome. Apparently we are something of a commercial miracle, reaching parts no one else from a small country can come close to.
It’s also delightful hearing about glamour preseason friendlies (not quite announced yet, but coming). We are a club with more than just history, we have a team the best in the world want to play. We also have a future.
We have the league championship trophy in the boardroom, Champions League qualifiers to look forward to, and the sun is shining on Glasgow!
These are great times for Celtic.
You can buy a hard copy of the new issue of CQN Magazine via Magcloud here.
The graphic below is just for a flick through, to read the magazine go here to it’s dedicated site.
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By MARTIN HANNAN
Published on Sunday 27 May 2012 03:42
Alphabet spaghetti of CVAs and EBTs could be coming home to roost but debate rages over SPL’s sanctions
WITH administrators Duff & Phelps announcing that they are ready to issue a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposal which will be finalised – or not – by 13 June, the immediate future looks brighter for Rangers.
But what happens if the CVA is rejected? The most likely answer is that the Rangers’ company will be liquidated and the club will survive as a new company in the SPL, with no further sanctions against them at this time.
Rangers will have to apply to stay in the SPL as a newco. If five clubs vote against them, the 140-year-old institution will cease to play football for the foreseeable future, unless the Scottish Football League admits them on an emergency basis – an extraordinary general meeting would be needed, called by 12 member clubs, and certain rules such as those that specify grounds and colours have to be registered with the League by 1 June would need to be set aside.
League sources confirm there is no automatic right of entry into the SFL for any club, which is why the newco route into the SPL will be the way ahead for Rangers should the CVA deal fall through.
That Rangers sought a judicial review over the one-year transfer embargo is proof of how the loss of the ability to buy in the transfer market – Green has close links to agents through his previous involvement with the ProActive Sports Management company – may fatally damage his CVA plans, leaving only the newco route to survival.
Talk of sanctioning the newco as it enters the SPL is a waste of breath. Though this will anger fans of other clubs, any attempt to impose further penalties – at this time – on Rangers will fail for the simple reason that no such extra punishment is allowed for in the SPL rules.
According to the SPL rule book, the penalty for going into administration is a ten-point deduction. That’s all. The SFA has issued its fines and transfer ban and, again, the rules do not allow for further penalties. Those who argue for “sporting integrity” face this quandary – what integrity is there in making up rules and sanctions to punish a club which has already been punished to the limit under the rules?
SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster explained: “You have got some behaviour last year, which the SFA has dealt with and punished [by the £160,000 fines and transfer ban]. You can agree or disagree with the punishment if you wish, but the SFA have dealt with it. Rangers went into administration and they were punished under our rules.”
Doncaster is adamant the rule book has been followed to the letter: “All clubs are treated under the same rules in the same way. There aren’t special rules being applied.
“There’s the same set of rules in terms of newco that have been in place since 1998. They haven’t changed so there are no special rules being applied or adopted. Any perception that clubs are getting off scot free is wholly erroneous.”
Doncaster met the media last week ostensibly to talk up the new Financial Fair Play rules – “toughest in world football,” he said – which will see SPL clubs that go into administration penalised ten points or a third of their previous season’s total, whichever is the greater. The new rules also impose a transfer ban on any club failing to pay its tax liabilities, and proposes a ten-point deduction over two seasons and severe financial penalties such as withholding 75 per cent of SPL payouts to any club having to re-enter the league via a newco. The rules would change immediately but none of these changes are retrospective.
So, if the CVA fails, Rangers look most likely to survive as a newco in the SPL with history if not pride intact, as Doncaster conceded: “There are all manner of clubs who have come out through a CVA or a newco but no-one has ever insisted that their history stops.”
Rangers fans will definitely not be out of the worry zone if the club survives. The EBT dual contracts inquiry may take some time, as Doncaster agreed. “This is an enormously complicated area,” he said. “You have to ask how long it took for the HMRC case to come to fruition. These are complex areas, there is a lot to trawl through and the lawyers are working on it.”
But it could devastate the club all over again next season if the inquiry finds Rangers did operate dual contracts.
Doncaster said: “There is an ongoing investigation into payments outside of contracts. Every single action I would argue is being dealt with, or has been dealt with, appropriately. Where a club does something wrong it is penalised under the rules in every instance.
“You would expect the EBT investigation would continue to bind the football club.”
The clear implication of Doncaster’s remarks is that the rules don’t allow further sanctions on Rangers at this time, but should the club be found guilty of having operated a dual contract system, then Rangers will be heavily punished next season.
Being stripped of titles, as happened to Marseille and Juventus, might see those five gold stars on Rangers’ jerseys for winning 50 titles reduced to four, and the punishment could be even worse – anything from a fine to a further transfer ban, points deductions or even expulsion from the SPL.
Doncaster said: “There will be no special cases made for individual clubs, the rules will be applied fairly and evenly to all 12 member clubs as they always have been and as they always will be.
“There may be vested interests but vested interests are part of football. What’s important is that the rules are adhered to and applied.”
Doncaster admitted there were lots of “twists and turns” to come, and though the
administration period could go on for months – Rangers would start the season ten points down in that case – the most likely outcome of a CVA failure is that the SPL clubs would decide the future of Rangers as a newco.
Eight chairmen would need to approve that newco. If five vote against, then Rangers would need the Scottish Football League to come to their rescue. If they don’t, Rangers FC will cease to exist.
Buona Domenica tutti —–
Warm [ high 80s] and sunny -way down south .
The good ——- the oh so easily predicted humping of Scotland . Big thanks.
The result -yes —-
Beaten by more than 3 -yes .
First scorer -yes .
Free money——- Autumn holiday for 2 funded . . I would like to thank the Confederacy of Dunces that is Scottish football.
The bad —— shifting 70 25 kilo bags of cement in 80 + heat Now done ! .
Lunch in Punta Secca and then the beach -soon come.. Eating fresh cherry ice cream as the Hun implodes.
Va bene !
Roy Croppie ….. 10.11
Just a major typo ….. LOL
what a disgrace they are or were!
what a disgrace they are AND were!
Sydney Tim @ 10:14
That’s what I was thinking, 1 year signing ban and 160 k fine was for what – CW not a fit and proper person, not paying football bills, using tax an NI as cash flow!!
Surely pressure for that Scottish cup win to be removed and sets a precedent. That have admitted guilt!!
I think the rankers ride down The Mare of Steel coincided not just with the arrival at Celtic of Sir Fergus the Bold, but also with the acquisition of their chief tormentor the King of Kings.
FYI. Anyone puzzled by the reference to The Mare of Steel should check out the movie The Long Ships.
My eyes are watering just thinking about it.
my celtic heroes.
brother Walfrid
jock Stein
Fergus Mccann
Henrik Larsson
tbf every single jersey puller, is a hero of sorts. but those men define celtic for me. i could add many a hero to that list, but we are all different.
Algarvian on 27 May, 2012 at 02:29 said:
Apologies if anyone else subsequently posted this but I remember Arsenal beating France 2-0. 1989 I think it was.
Who scored the goals?
A certain Martin Hayes…
Can’t say I’m too surprised that Scotland got gubbed. The USA are getting pretty good at “soccer” these days.
But I am surprised that Billy Dodds has the nerve to make comment on anything. A proven liar and hopelessly compromised in discussing anything to do with the team that gave him an EBT. Why is anyone still paying this man?
Tokentim
SFA have Made it clear that they have no intention of investigating duel contracts unless there is an appeal from an Spl club to an SPL decesion
I don’t get it?? League is an SPL trophy
But Scottish Cup is an SFA trophy
They have indeed admit guilt and Celtic don’t have to wait for SPL investigation to complain
Regan must be asked to do his job as per the SFA regulations and rules
Start by removing the cups
SFA must have its own investigation
Don’t know why paul67 is not pushing this
celtic 5 rangers 1 – 1966
Celtic 4 Rangers 0 – 1966
Souness gets 30k 10 years after leaving greyskull and a few weeks before buying tugay ? makes you wonder what the newcastle board and fans think about boumsong ? whats gonny come out on that strange deal?
safe journey home to toronto sconey,hail hail
Billy [liar] Dodds
I have not seem the programme, I was playing golf.
I was disappointed that the programme lumped all the EBTs together.
Billy please. Only one of the above can be true
HH
danso_1888 on 27 May, 2012 at 02:58 said:
seriously a man who previously set up a team with no one up front
in a match really should not be involved in football at all.
============================================
This.
Levein lost me after the 6-4-0 nonsense against the Czechs.
Tactical theory on the level of a 12 year old playing football manager.
Thankfully, the 6-4-0 failed that night otherwise I fear he would have ‘progressed’ to 10-0-0 as an ‘absolute guarantee of a non-defecit situation hereby securing a vital qualifying point thus concreting our position at 999 in FIFA ranking’ .
sparkleghirl on 27 May, 2012 at 09:01 said:
And if any of you would like to read the Leggoland take on things:
On Green going on bended knee to Lawwell, and the previous article, on why the Green Gan is falling apart (the key man, Michael McDonald, has apparently said he is pulling out over the transfer ban)
http://leggoland2.blogspot.com.es/
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2010 Never Again
How about a cut & paste…pls don’t give that parasite the hits
Recorded the Scotland game, just watched it back there… Without wanting to be accused of having a knee jerk reaction (its not) I think there is a strong case for looking for another manager for the upcoming WC qualifiers. Some of Leveins decisions have been baffling in the two years or so he has been in charge. Add to that his glaring inexperience at any sort of level beyond the SPL/English lower tier football and what do we really expect to happen. I’ve always thought of Levein as being too idealistic without having any experience to support his musings of how the game should be played. A bit like Mark McGhee. Talks a fanciful game but ultimately fails to deliver. Do we really need to crash and burn through these upcoming qualifiers, to rubber stamp something we already know? As someone who was 5yrs old around the time of Espana 82 and grew up taking World Cup qualificaton as a given, I would dearly love to be proved wrong, but that team under that manager aint going anywhere….
Late in the game now and it looks like the CVA will now nter the field of play on queue just befoe the newco vote. Remember this is a sting so do not watch the CVA to closy it is a distration. Watch for the real move whilst this is happening.
You know where the pea is. Don’ you¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿
HH
Kayal
Doncaster must go, it is as simple as that.
He totally fails to understand the depth of anger should a Newco emerge unpunished because of the “rules”.
If the “rules” allow this then what is to stop him putting forward a retrospective clause in the new rules?
Quite frankly I do not want him to remain in his job, how can we possibly expect any semblance of integrity from a man who has none?
GG
Thanks for the reply. God is served so thought I would spend a few moments on CQN, my second New Testament. My ancient memory banks are flickering and I mean ‘flickering’ so bear with me. Yes, Joe was very keen on the football. I believe he was a regular stand man at the hallowed ground. I remember he used to boast about being able to park in the school yard of the school on London Rd. Hard to believe you pass by a place a million times and never notice the name but there you go. In those days priests and teachers had many privileges! I remember we used to stand at the ‘staffroom’ window and watch the boys playing and there were more ‘Chick Youngs’ in that room than you good ever imagine. Sorry G G but according to us Plains kids would never make footballers (auld misery guts). Apologies G G. I need to go out as I have just received a call from my son looking for assistance. You just can’t get them of your back no matter how old they get. Maybe God invented death so we could get away from them for some peace. That would make it worth while in my book! Be back sometime today. Meantime get the old brain ticking for other information. Really enjoying this.
H H
Super Ally for Scotland manager, you know it makes sense.much the same as Bobby Brown back in the 60’s.
The more things change…..
Meet the New Boss….
We don’t get fooled again!
It’s the ‘Ally’s whisper that gets him noticed.
watching the extended highlights on sky. of the ROI game.
aidean had a fantastic last 20mins..
his type of player, must be used at international level. problem might be that he could be called a supersub, game changer, so to speak.
as for scotland. we dont have this type. but then, we have a bunch of complete non triers, who believe they are better than what they are, because our press tell them… just ask billy liar
¡ǝsoɥ ǝɥʇ ǝɯ ssɐd ‘sʞɔıʞ ʎןɟ ɥbnouǝ (o) /o\ z ʍoɹ on 27 May, 2012 at 10:47 said:
”You know where the pea is. Don’ you¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿”
Some months ago I used this video to illustrate what Whytie was up to.
I’m glad someone was paying attention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY_1812N7M0&feature=related
Sydney Tim@10:33
Indeed, who where the runners up that year, who won the league, who may have made it into Europe etc,
Paul is this angle needing a wee push??
How could Souness be paid via an employee benefit trust? Surely the hint is in the name? How many other non employees received payments?
With regard to Billy Boy Dodds. Maybe Dunfermline can’t afford McIntyre’s payoff as the Huns owe them and half the league money. The sooner these talking clowns are removed as opinion makers the better.
Just because idiots like Dodds, Burley, Nicholas, Sandy Clark, Duffy, Nevin etc played the game doesn’t mean they know anything about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdLIerfXuZ4
There are a few who come on here whom this might apply to…
Just sayin’ like!
HH Brothers and sisters
Levein should never have been given the Scotland job. He’s been a failure at every club job he’s had.
Sack him now and get WGS in charge.
Top of the morning to you all from a gloriously sunny Fife.
Rangers don’t need a SFA Licence.
I know that some on here have been saying how Rangers can’t get into the SPL without a licence and to get a licence then accounts must be submitted etc. etc.
In an article by Ewing Graeme in the Mail on Sunday this morning he quotes Ian Blair of the SFA as saying that there is no need for a club to have a licence from the SFA.
Blair says the letter informing all clubs that they need accounts etc is not enforceable and if a club presents itself to the SPL without an SFA licence and the SPL agree to it…. then that’s fine.
Rules is only for others not the brethren.
Bring Ron Atkinson out of retirement for the Scotland job and make Ian Wright his assistant whilst giving Jimmy Hill the job Darryl Broadfoot does.
Dodds has now admitted he was contractually paid with an EBT…DOH!
Well done Billy, not the brightest are you?
kitalba @ 10 34.
Celtic 5 – Rangers 1 .
Thanks for posting that -.
A freezing day.
The strange sight of a team without studs .
1 down within seconds .
Scored 5 in 45 minutes .
A rare Glasgow Derby hat trick .
Walked to the game from Queens Cross . A save money thing —- why spend vinyl money on public transport . ? Walked back to George’s Cross . Ran from George’s Cross due to an unfortunate encounter with some mad mental nutters from The Butney .
That 60s gang guff was a real pain.
Big nan
Rangers need an SFA licence to enter into Scottish cup
They have admitted to using EBT for Flo and deboer
They won Scottish cup with 2 unregistered players
Open and shut case to remove the cups from the record books
Don’t know why regan is ignoring this. Is this directly because their president is a hun
ST
Celtic Share Issue in the 90’s
Rangers Football Club Heart Monitor
I didn’t know Scotland was playing.What about Aiden,tremendous.Really looking forward to the Euros,you’ll never beat the Irish.
The SFA/SPL can’t possibly give assurances on sanctions when they haven’t even begun / completed ‘their’ investigation(s) can they?
We may be close to CVA deadline time, but are further away than ever from a CVA, given the fiascos since February.
Sunny Days CSC