There has been a pattern for me in recent days. I’ve read a statement by a current/former football club director, then I’ve gone looking for corroboration, just in case the report is a sabotaged attempt to make the author appear foolish.
A statement was released by former Rangers chairman, Alastair Johnston yesterday, discussing the current SPL Commission looking into how his board administered football player contracts. I agree with him that any “capital punishment decision” should not be left to the SPL, but the SPL have no authority to impose capital punishment on a football club. The decision to terminate a football club can only be taken by the SFA (I am discounting the reckless behaviour of directors), and is perhaps a reason the SFA decided to delegate this inquiry to the league. It is interesting timing for Johnston to put this on the table.
Johnston’s main thrust is in connection with the SPL Commission, saying “the SFA wrote to us asking for more details about the public speculation concerning our financial and tax situation. The latter obviously referenced the impact of the EBT schemes as creating a potential taxation liability.
“The club responded accordingly and provided details, as it had done in previous years, by declaring player salaries, bonuses, benefits, etc., but also payments made to a Remuneration Trust. The SFA compliance officers must have known, both from the description and context of the reports, that such expenditures had some connection to player compensation.
“However, without any further investigation at the time, Rangers FC received its SFA license to compete in the 2011/2012 season. Rangers, therefore, were entitled to believe that they were not in breach of any SFA regulation requiring reporting of player compensation.”
Mr Johnston clearly implies that the SFA were in receipt of sufficient information to ascertain if Rangers correctly registered players (and considering the SFA president was on the board which sanctioned these decision was have to wonder), but the key point is missing from his testimony.
While disclosing this information to the SFA did Rangers reveal the existence of the alleged second contracts? For the purposes of the SPL Commission, it doesn’t really matter how much players were paid, or if they received this money through a Remuneration Trust, what matters is: were contracts submitted and players correctly registered? If not, then it doesn’t matter what else the club submitted to the SFA.
Sir David Murray, then Rangers owner, vehemently denied the existence of second contracts as recently as March this year, so it would appear unlikely that Rangers revealed these allegedly non-existent contracts at an earlier date.
Labouring this point slightly Johnston said: If the SFA now decide to adopt a more focused evaluation of the data they request from its members in order to be granted a license, they should ensure that the legislation upon which they rely for enforcement and the corresponding sanctions are more transparent and predictable.”
For clarity, the information the SFA requires in order to grant a club licence is not being changed in any way. The SFA and the SPL do, however, require clubs submit player contracts as part of the player registration process. It is not the club licence which is in doubt here, it is the registration of players, Mr Johnston, we have to wonder why you are trying to focus away from this matter.
Our own club was brought into the issue: “A lawyer representing Celtic recently was successful in having charges against that club dropped because of the inadequacy of the SFA’s prescribed rules, regulations, and sanctions. The same principle should apply here.”
Perhaps time is playing tricks on Mr Johnston’s memory. Paul McBride ensured a punishment imposed on Neil Lennon (not Celtic) was enforced in line with SFA rules. Johnston also meanders on the subjects of match fixing and financial doping, distancing his former club from both, but neither charge is of any consequence.
Despite his extensive diatribe on the subject, at no point does the former Rangers chairman deny the central allegation – that for over a decade Rangers gave dozens of players second contracts which were not registered with the SPL or SFA. Like Charles Green the previous day, he never suggested Rangers have been wrongly accused, he just complains about the club being accused.
There is a degree in Cognitive Bias in this matter if anyone is looking for material.
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I lived in Liverpool for a couple of years. Fond memories. A lot like Glasgow….I know,that’s obvious, but it was good to experience that…big port city,loads of Irish immigrants,mad humour,great music.
The outright prejudice shown to Liverpudlians was taken to a whole new level of nastiness when the tragedy at Hillsborough occurred.
At last, vindication, and justice imminent.
seanpat
I stayed in a Hotel Barcelo Sants on a previous visit to Barcelona. That was the “David Marshall” game.
There was a train station below the hotel and a few shops. If it’s the same hotel then it was very nice and not too far from the Ramblas area by taxi. Can’t remember if it’s Las or Los:o) and not convinced the taxi drivers supported anyone other than Barca.
theweegreenman
20:11 on
12 September, 2012
I see YouTube have pulled the offensive video from the US that slated Mohammed.
Dangerous precedent IMO. Is YouTube now censored?
What is the criteria to get censored?
Do they only take this recourse when it is pertinent to Islam?
Lets be honest here, WeeGreenMan, that was crazy by You Tube
to let said offensive material to be put You Tube on the first instance
The part of the world @ present is like a time-bomb waiting for
someone to light the fuse enter stage door left some numpty posting
said offensive material on You Tube talk about pouring petrol on fire
People should really think twice what they are posting on You Tube
I can see this now leading to You Tube now being censored which
means everything will now be scrutinized before being allowed to
be posted on said web-site
the weegreenman,
agreed, offending religous fundamantalists is a must, especially when they threaten violence
I am reminded by the Hillsborough stories of attending Wembley in 1979 to watch Scotland v England, I had been the previous Wembley game which we won 2-1 and then took the goalposts home. It was a very enjoyable occasion.
However 1979 had a diffrent feel to it altogether. I had gone with my partner and we were herded into one of those pens. The pressure began to mount and she got alarmed just before mine starting ringing. This is getting bloody dangerous I was thinking.
Fortuneately we managed to make out way out as the crowd somehow “made way fur a wummin.”
We managed to get access at another point on the opposite side and see the game from the steps of a seated section, but even then I was letter writer. Trouble was who to write to? I wrote to the BBC and Jimmy Hill.
What a waste of time that was,- “thank you for taking an interest in our programme” The point being no one in authority gave a rats rear end for crowd safety even then.
Had a few hairy moments both entering and exiting various grounds in Scotland during the 60s and 70s. Most of them were, quite frankly, tips. Often you were herded in like cattle, but being young and a bit daft you felt that it was all part of the experience! Looking back on it now I realise that a tragedy could quite easily have taken place at any number of grounds. Not quite a Hillsborough tragedy, but a tragedy just the same.
Even Cathkin Park had a record attendance of over 47,000!
At some grounds you could’nt even put your hands in your pocket to get your hanky to blow your nose, because you were hemmed in! You just used the jacket of the guy standing in front!
Happy days?! You bet – the football was magic: well until the mid 70s! European nights at CP were fantastic and will be again very soon!
HH!!
An interesting article on the South Yorkshire Police, who by the time of Hillsborugh had form for telling porkies, truly a creation of Thatcher and what she expected from her state sponsored Police force, never mind what they encouraged in the North of Ireland.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardian.co.uk%2Ffootball%2F2012%2Fapr%2F12%2Fhillsborough-battle-orgreave&h=uAQGaIhkc&s=1
Scatman John : sunshine on a cloudy day.
Hillsborough even
Anyone reading about the SYP cover-up over Hillsborough reminded of the portrait painted by David Peace in his Red Riding trilogy of that organisation?
Hillsborough could have happened to us on a few occasions. The worst I experienced was at Brockville on 9 in a Row day- the helpful home management had closed half the turnstiles and we were corralled in a narrow st- with many other I was crushed against the stadium wall and only managed to ‘wiggle’ with my back against the wall until I just about fell backwards into an open turnstile- I was 16 and I was sh*****g myself- no bad result right enough!
The other was coming out of Hampden after the Leeds game – God knows how many people were there that night.
cheers ElDiegoBhoy
That’s the same hotel
I,m going to a ceilidh on friday but I’m bit worried about the dances. Can anyone post the moves to:
The Dashing Whyte Billionaire.
The Eightsome Beel.
and the trickiest of them all…..
Strip the Title.
Please help:-)
St.John.Doyle
20:09 on
12 September, 2012
I’ve never, ever bought a copy of the Sun or the NOTW before it’s demise. I have no intention of starting now :-)
My dad took me to Nottingham, we were amongst those who were forced in without handing over our tickets. We were probably around Carlisle by the time the final whistle blew!
TootingTim, 20:32
More truth in fiction
Has the US not been making noises about controlling sites such as YouTube? Sounds like just the ammunition they need.
I agree that the video (I haven’t seen it and have no real intention of seeing it to be honest) was probably offensive to the fundamentalists in the Middle East but where do we draw the line?
We can openly discuss any topic in the West, slag off anyone we want (but don’t mention Islam, you will get them really angry and they will attack our Embassy)
That just doesn’t sit right with me I’m afraid. Censoring ain’t the answer either.
hamiltontim
20:36 on
12 September, 2012
St.John.Doyle
**************************
Sorry mate my plea was to the wider Celtic family, I never thought for a moment you would buy such a rag
-Queueing to get in the City Ground that night was terrifying.I was lifted off my feet in the crush and facing away from the turnstile for about 20 minutes before getting in.A policeman squeezed through the gate and collapsed clutching his chest,I started to get him in the recovery position and was loosening his tie,when one of his colleagues grabbed me.He thought I was attacking the guy,he was in fact asthmatic and once I got his inhaler from his jacket,he came round.Love St a few years previous, was much the same for a midweek SC replay.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
20:24 on
12 September, 2012
the weegreenman,
agreed, offending religous fundamantalists is a must, especially when they threaten violence
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
I don’t think we should be really stirring them up and giving the fundamentalist an
excuse to go on another one of those blowing ones self up missions where only
innocent people are the ones who get jacked in the long run we should be
striving towards World Harmony not World Oblivion
Here is a true phrase for you to digest
In Wars/Conflicts all people are Hurt/Killed either Mentally (scar/trauma) or physically
very true indeed
Please have a thought for the human race, because War is certainly not the answer
AKBW1888
20:12 on
12 September, 2012
The Celtic support get filmed by the police at every away game.
bada Bing
love St was where Danny McGrain broke MdDougals leg after he got a Celtic player sent off (McAdam) I think..
Scottish cup replay. I got a row from my mother because I told her I ate a pie, It was ash Wednesday…
scary night..
hamiltontim
20:36 on
12 September, 2012
****************************
It has been clear for some time that the Liverpool fans were not drunk and alcohol played no part in the tragedy I wish I could say the same for my visit to Nottingham and most of my Euro trips
BT-I think the attendance at Love St was given as 27,000?
!!Bada Bing! 20:41
I remember the St Mirren game at love St. We had drawn one all at Parkhead in the first game. Think big Jock was still the manager at the time, but might be wrong. The crushing to get in to the game was bad. I seem to remember they gave the attendance as something like 27,000.
Did the game end up something like three one to us?
Dan
Bada Bing
what about the other 3 parts of the ground?
Dan
think we won after extra time
BT,
I remember the sending off. Spot on, McDougal got by Tam Mac sent off by diving. Very unusual at that time for players to do that. Danny certainly gave him the message, and It he did it that expertly I don’t think he was even booked.
AKBW1888,
so just accept intimidation, make islam a special case.
words of fear
while in India I was reading reports of churches in Pakistan being emptied and the parishoners being murdered in the street, this still happens and not just in Pakistan, no doubt they were offensive to islam and from what your saying were stirring up trouble.
Fundamentalists of any religon should never be appeased and that my friend is exactly what you propose.
IMO fundamantalists of every religon need to be publically mocked.
islam tell the world that the Christ was a lunatic, why shouldnt Christian fundamentalist operate at the same level.
theweegreenman
20:40 on
12 September, 2012
Has the US not been making noises about controlling sites such as YouTube? Sounds like just the ammunition they need.
I agree that the video (I haven’t seen it and have no real intention of seeing it to be honest) was probably offensive to the fundamentalists in the Middle East but where do we draw the line?
We can openly discuss any topic in the West, slag off anyone we want (but don’t mention Islam, you will get them really angry and they will attack our Embassy)
That just doesn’t sit right with me I’m afraid. Censoring ain’t the answer either.
I know Wee Green Man, but that’s what will happen as regards to Censoring
We all have to be sensible and use our heads as regards to what we put
up on one commercial web-site where one has access to it all over the World.
It’s common sense.
Tell me, where does it say in the Excellent Books
That one shall advertised said material that brings offense and is blaspheming
thy neighbour’s own belief
It’s common knowledge that said locations in the world @ present are volatile
so why seriously rock the boat, that does not make sense
Thatcher (pass the soap) hated the working class so very much. She and her gang of original neocons made it a priority to cage the terraces and create a siege mentality.
Is murder too strong a word for her evil intent? I don’t think so. She and the cabal that propped her up were the kind who have serious psychological troubles, but have the means to grab and exercise power in order to act out some deep-rooted issues.
It was often said at the time she lorded it in her elected dictatorship that if she faced an independent panel of psychiatrists that she would be in a rubber room for a very long time.
Pity.
It’s like the idea of what would the world look like if Hitler had just emigrated from Germany.
(‘ The Iron Dream’ by Norman Spinrad) .
The same with Thatcher. All the ‘what ifs’.
Instead, we had to endure her. And today we endure her legacy.
Look around. Where we are today is down to her, her gang, and her acolytes in their 18th. Century mindset right here in 2012. The ConDemNation. Thatcher’s legacy.
The 96 remembered and exonerated today are her legacy, too. 23 years on, and her evil influence still tears at the soul. That a nation’s state apparatus would do that to its own people and then desperately cover it up and lay the blame on the victims themselves tells you all you need to know about the corrupt nature of The UKplc. and what a rabid, unfettered Tory Party will do for itself and its praetorian guard, the mason riddled police force.
At least, today some measure of restorative justice was handed down. That it took so long, and had to be so strenuously fought for ,is also a measure of how craven those who sought to conceal the truth are.
my young cousan in LA(check me out) has justsaid that Beckham and Lalas have bought Malaga..
any truth?
the team, not the town… o))
It’s a momentous and a sad day for the Liverpool fans and the wider football support affected by Hillsborough.
The long suspected truth has been finally admitted but, in true establishment fashion, long after the main protagonists have departed public life. Only Kelvin McKenzie has a serious public profile and he’s semi-retired.
The South Yorkshire Police felt they were fireproof because of their sterling service in fighting Trade Unions as hired hands for the Tories and, with true Masonic reciprocity, Maggie paid them back by having her people lead the cover up.
She is now too physically sick to be brought to book. The Sun will bandwagon aboard the new trend and pretend that they were a different paper then and Kelvin will issue a trite and heartless apology and then remain uncharacteristically quiet for a few months.
This is a momentous day but it is a sorry-too-late tale. The damage and hurt cannot be undone. In the weeks to come the quiet dignity displayed by the families of the victims will re-ignite with anger at the enormity of what was done to them.
Denied the truth to save the jobs of a few functionaries who saw football supporters as less than human.
Forced to live with the implied shame that they had caused the deaths of their own loved ones.
It is a pitiless and shameless tale. Hell cannot mend the character of the people responsible for this injustice.
St.John.Doyle
20:45 on
12 September, 2012
The police and subsequently the authorities have a responsibility and duty of care regardless of whether people have had a drink or not.
AKBW1888
I am hearing that it was actually an Al Qaeda attack anyway. The clown who posted the movie could have used any medium to transmit this but chose YouTube.
Censoring ain’t the answer.
To coin a phrase
“Opinions are like a**eholes and we all have one.”
You can’t go through life thinking everyone is the same as you and I. Life would be really boring then, Eh?
I think folk in the Middle East have a lot more to worry about at the moment than some Richard Cranium with a movie camera in the US.
Hope this is not too long.
http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1980-02-20%3A+St+Mirren+2-3+Celtic,+Scottish+Cup+Replay
Dan
PF Ayr
I can’t make Spartak game ticket is yours if you want it. Donation to Oscar appeal will suffice for payment. Get my email from Paul if you want ticket (main stand)
I remember going down to Arsenal for Liam Brady’s first match as Celtic manager. Police totally underestimated our numbers and instead of dealing with it reverted to pushing, shoving and using a baton as we tried to get in the ground. Like those poor Liverpool fans, we were viewed as trouble because not only were we Scottish, we were from Glasgow as well! Scary night…