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.
You can continue to read CQN Magazine FOR FREE, or can subscribe for £10 or £20 and our sponsor, Executive Shaving, who offer an enormous range of grooming products, are offering readers a £20 voucher for all £30 CQN Magazine subscribers.
[calameo code=0003901711e92eb7539d6 lang=en page=16 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
785 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- »
Good Evening,
Let us while away the hours with three daft games. Games which we can start but not necessarily finish you understand….. and I stress that they are played purely for our amusement.
All three games revolve around the following statement from AJ yesterday:
“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.”
OK so let’s play the first game— it’s called the Paper Chase
The above statement was proceeded with the news that prior to issuing a UEFA licence for 2011/2012, The SFA wrote to Rangers, acknowledging their knowledge that there was a tax enquiry ongoing etc etc and so prior to issuing the licence they sought a number of clarifications.
As you can see from what AJ says above ” The Club responded accordingly…”
So Lets chase the paper…..
1. Who wrote the letter on behalf of the SFA?
2. Who replied on behald of Rangers PLC and to whom was the letter addressed?
3. What enclosures were sent with the letter and why was such information not sent in the first instance?
4. Who, from the SFA, then sent out the UEFA licence without further contact?
5 Who was the SFA compliance officer and with whom did he liaise at Ibrox?
6 What report is AJ referring to above? Who wrote it? What did it say? and where is it?
By the way– I believe any creditor would be entitled to ask these questions of Duff & Phelps or indeed the liquidator.
So that is game one
Game two– well that is called Consequences. You remember the child’s game consequences, where you put in a load of different factors and you reach a consequence– well I invite you to conclude what the consequences are arising from AJ’s statement. Read it carefully now- especially the last sentence.
Remember that AJ is talking about the proceedings that took place prior to the lead up to the issuing of the 2011/2012 UEFA licence– to make things easy and interesting here is a link to the UEFA Licensing process as operated by the SFA– have a look at this because it becomes relevant time and time again. Note the proceedures and checks that have to be gone through.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=uefa%20licensing%20process%20sfa&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scottishfa.co.uk%2Fresources%2Fdocuments%2FClubLicensing%2FPartThree-UEFAClubLicensing%2F04%2520The%2520UEFA%2520Club%2520Licensing%2520Process%2520(2).pdf&ei=WPlQUNbmL4es0QXRg4CIDw&usg=AFQjCNE3QhhKSse0PPbeUXR2O-Tla97sRA
However, for our purposes in this discussion note that the information required by the SFA needs to be with them prior to 8th April– so for the 2011 UEFA competitions, you can date the correspondence and reports that AJ refers to above as taking place in March/April 2011.
Ok- if you are with me so far, then note that the Chairman of Rangers PLC is saying that at that date the club gave the SFA documentation and correspondence which must have lead the SFA compliance officers to conclude ” both from the description and context of the reports, that such expenditures had some connection to player compensation!”
AJ is saying that this was obvious and clear.. and goes on to Rubbish the SFA.
Fine– but here is a question. When did the FTT start?
The reason I ask is that the official line peddled and promoted by MIH or by Rangers PLC to that Tribunal is directly contradictory to the line now peddled by AJ.
Here is David Murray speaking through the Associated Press setting out the position as it was put to the FTT ( as I understand it ):
“Rangers agreed contracts of employment with its players (and staff).
“The EBT scheme involved the contribution of funds into an offshore discretionary trust managed by independent trustees.
“The trustees could and did make loans to individuals carrying interest with scheduled repayment dates.
“There was no contractual or beneficial entitlement to the funds on the part of any individual and the monies paid to EBTs were not “remuneration” in terms of any rules applying to the club.
“Since 2001 when the EBT scheme was introduced, the amounts contributed were disclosed in the audited financial statements of the club. These audited accounts were provided to the SFA and SPL as required.
“As the law stands, it is the right of every tax payer to minimise his tax liability.
Here is Murray again in conversation with Jeff Randell of Sky News.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9cEWV_CPh4
So– AJ says that it was obvious or should have been obvious to the SFA compliance officer that the payments were related to player compensation. David Murray peddles a completely different tune.
So.
What are the Consequences for deliberately misleading or lying to a tribunal or court— because both of them can’t be right– can they?
What are the consequences for trying to deliberately mislead the SFA?
What are the consequences for deliberately not paing tax on payments to players which were linked to player compensation as stated by AJ– especially when the company has gone into insolvent Liquidation?
Presuming that AJ gave evidence to the FTT, did he say the same thing to the FTT as he is now saying in this statement- namely that the payments were obviously linked to Player compensation?
What are the consequences of Murray’s statements compared to the Rangers PLC chairman’s statements?
What are the consequences of endangering the very life of a company by running an EBT scheme which the company chairman says is obviously linked to player compensation- especially running up a debt in unpaid tax which clearly cannot be paid by the company as early as the crash of 2008– and remember that Rangers will have been aware of the tax investigation and its potential consequences for a long time before there was any FTT
In other words– when- given AJ’s statement above- did the Directors know- or when did they ought to know that Rangers PLC could be insolvent, and most likely was insolvent going by AJ’s explanation of the payments as given above?
So that is consequences
The last game could perhaps be best described as musical statues.
Statues are of course silent by nature.
If what AJ says above is true, and that all was obvious then why has everyone at the SFA been silent on this issue?
Why has there been no correspondence from the SFA following the letter from Rangers referred to by AJ?
Why has there been no enquiry made of Rangers by the SFA following receipt of that correspondence?
Why if everything was as obvious as AJ says did Campbell Ogilvie not declare a conflict of interest as far back as April 2011– or if he did declare a conflict why was that declaration not made public?
Has Campbell Ogilvie given a statement to his employers that in any way conflicts with the explanation of EBT’s that have been provided publicly by Murray or Johnston? Stewart Regan says that he has made a full disclosure.
Which version of the conflicting stories given by Murray and Johnston does Campbell Ogilvie support and subscribe to?
But of course, it is not only the SFA persona who are silent– because 48 hours after the AJ statement i am not aware of a whole lot of questions being posed by the press in relation to the detail of what Johnston said.
Perhaps that game is called :
The Silence of the Lambs………..
Bobby Murdochs Ankle
22:40 on
12 September, 2012
+++++
AJ CFC used one when I worked with him. He normally lurks on here, but might post if/when he sees his name.
canamalar
They did, but I seem to remember that they said that it wouldn’t go beyond 1 euro a litre.
The brit government didn’t tho.
Good grief BRTH, that’s me no going to bed any time soon. Off to read it now…
TT
:-)
saltires en sevilla
22:27 on 12 September, 2012
Anti Catholicism has been part of the weft and weave of Scottish society since the Reformation.
It’s a fundamental part of what makes Scotland what it is, what helps to distinguish it from other parts of the UK.
It’s not so pronounced now as it once was, but it’s still there, and it goes with, not against, the grain of the culture.
I remember what Thatcher did to Scotland’s Coal Mines & Ravenscraig Steel, she also Guinea pigged Scotland with the Poll Tax. She caused the Falkland Island War in 1982 to revive her decreasing popularity in the poles. The Argentine Ship the General Belgrano whilst sailing outside and away from the 200 mile exclusion zone was sunk by the British Nuclear Submarine Conqueror with 323 young lives on board, an order that could have only come from her.
Wiki:
“The resulting conflict lasted 74 days and ended with the Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982, which returned the islands to British control. 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders died during the conflict.”
I am shocked at what i have heard today on the Hillsborough disaster.
Thatcher, a soon to be infamous figure history will not be kind upon.
Saltires says:
the extremist types might start doing nutty things like wearing engerlund/chelski shirts and voting tory …thereby alienating themselves further from the wider community
Voting Tory is extremism?
Is that not an example of the intolerance you are complaining about?
THE EXILED TIM
22:38 on
12 September, 2012
dirtymac
1.52 euros last week for a litre, 1.46 today.
When I moved here june 2008 it was 70 odd cents, and I had to wait for nearly a month to get my belongings through the French/Spanish border as the commercial drivers has blocked the border due to rising fuel prices.
My recolection, and I can’t be sure, but I think the price for a barrel of oil was about the same as it is today.
Something no right.
Yeah very true Exile, the Politicians are creaming it, while the rest us are all feeling
the pinch talk about turning the screw or what
The way things are going, I can see more uncivil rest if they don’t back off.
Enough is enough
Macjay I for Neil lennon@21.58
game when the wall collapsed was on a Saturday and Celtic won 6-3. Game I was referring to was a Wednesday night and before there were floodlights at Celtic Park.Incidentally Celtic drew Cljyde in the Scottish Cup later in the same season ast the game you refer to.Clyde were drawn at home but the game was played at Celtic Park for safety reasons and Clyde duly beat us 2-0.The year may have been 1958 and Clyde went on to win trophy beating Hibs 1-0.Hibs beat Oldco in a semi final replay.One title they will not be stripped of then. Hail,Hail and iyi akshamlar.
Seems that Islam isn’t the same as Christianity and that Muslims and Christians believe different things.
Every day’s a school day on here.
Hi Bobby Murdoch’s Ankle,
are you after a recommendation for an umbrella coy to use?
dirtymac » fast forward to the G.O.D
22:31 on
12 September, 2012
AKBW1888
22:27 on
12 September, 2012
++++++
Esso just outside Monifieth, it went up 1p on Monday and another 2p today.
Esso Money Thief
This petrol price fiasco is becoming one big rip-off that’s screwing everyone
one way or another I think it’s about time we should all start thinking about
picketing the Refinery’s and basically say enough is enough these prices
are spiraling out of control like how much does it cost to make a litre of
petrol?
.
Bhoys..
What Year did Brian McClair sign for Man Utd..?
Researching my Memory Banks..
Thanks in Advance..
Summa
The Legend Johnny Doyle
22:45 on 12 September, 2012
”I remember what Thatcher …… she also Guinea pigged Scotland with the Poll Tax.”
That’s a myth.
The Scottish Tories wanted the poll tax brought in quickly because there had just been a rating revaluation in Scotland which meant that a lot of Tory voting pensioners in big houses were due for a hike in their rates. That’s why we got the poll tax before the rest of the UK.
It wasn’t Thatcher using Scotland as a testing ground.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
22:46 on
12 September, 2012
I was joking about that bit mate and meant to add a wee ;-) there
apologies -my attempt at irony/humour did not transmit as I intended
Ernie- I sense some people enjoy pushing an atavistic agenda – most people in my experience just want to get on with living their lives in peace and harmony with their neighbours and couldn’t give a rat’s erse about differences in religion
HH
Summa, it was 1987
THE EXILED TIM, 22:22
Old Craigy should be worried (in fact I know he is).
But he’s a sideshow. From what I know I would estimate there could be porridge bowls for up to five, if they have done what I think they have
O.G.Rafferty
22:58 on
12 September, 2012
+++++
Not the old stealing VW badges? One of my old mates got fined £10 for doing that. He paid it from his two paper rounds.
Seriously. Two paper rounds aged 17.
Sorry. Five? In true MM style: PM, DM, AJ, CW and CO? Would AJ hasten himself back to these shores any time soon though?
I need to go to bed now, it’s tommorow here.
Just before I go, maybe some on here who are posting as if they know what it’s like in Muslim land, should go live there for a time, then come back on and post their thoughts.
Try it,you might like it.
Take care and god bless Timland, an education as always.
HH
KTF now.
Ernie
Yep it’s amazing what you can learn once you step outside of Wick :-)
Also, someone from Haudit and Daudit too perhaps?
yesilvebeyaz 22.52
My compliments on your powers of recollection.
Instantly transported to Celtic v Clyde games of that era,particularly the live black and white T.V. broadcast of the Cup Final.`53 ? We lost the midweek replay.
I`m aff tae work,Johnny Turk.:-)
Ernie Lynch
“it wasn’t Thatcher using Scotland as a testing ground”
Can we just agree to disagree ?
dirtymac, 23:01
Some names are not high profile but vital players. Some high profile names may end up in court but not go to jail. And some will.
Tallybhoy
22:34 on
12 September, 2012
AKBW1888
You are the one talking nonsense.
The Muslim god is Allah and his prophet is Mohammed. Mohammed was the founder of Islam – not Jesus.
Jesus is revered as a prophet by Muslims – and it clearly states in the Koran that Jesus was not crucified and did NOT die on the cross: another was crucified in his place.
You need to do your homework better next time!
HH!!
Hail Hail TallyBhoy
I have already done my homework and I know for a fact that Jesus was
more than just a prophet he was the living son of God
So the Lazerous story was not true then?
& Jesus did not raise himself from the dead and was the first to conquer
death, so where is his remains then?
Through Adam we where all born into this world and through Jesus we
are also saved
I also know that Abraham was the founding Father of Muslim belief and
the Muslims called God Allah
So Tallybhoy if anyone needs enlighten my fellow Tim it’s yourself.
O.G.
Five, that is good to hear, but I will still wager none of the big players will do jail time.
saltires en sevilla
22:57 on
12 September, 2012
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
22:46 on
12 September, 2012
I was joking about that bit mate and meant to add a wee ;-) there
apologies -my attempt at irony/humour did not transmit as I intended
Mate.
That`s the story of my life.
Blog and otherwise.
Hail Hail
Macjay
I knew you were kidding hence the :-) in my post also.
saltires en sevilla
22:57 on 12 September, 2012
”Ernie- I sense some people enjoy pushing an atavistic agenda – most people in my experience just want to get on with living their lives in peace and harmony with their neighbours and couldn’t give a rat’s erse about differences in religion”
Until they are sitting on an Edinburgh jury.
Then it’s different.
Could it be that high fuel prices are connected to a drop in tobacco sales that because of a government drive to encourage the nation to stop smoking because it was costing the NHS a fortune?
They need something to Tax since the Dodgers won’t pay!
The Legend Johnny Doyle
23:04 on 12 September, 2012
‘Ernie Lynch
“it wasn’t Thatcher using Scotland as a testing ground”
Can we just agree to disagree ?’
It would be easier and quicker if we just agree that I’m right.
Saltires
For what it’s worth. Be it the recession, what’s happened at Ipox, I don’t know but I feel things are getting a lot more polarised and not just in Scotland.
They’re 5 miles high as the crow flies leavin’ vapour trails against a blood red sky Movin’ in from the East toward the West with Balaclava helmets over their heads, yes!
But if you think that Jesus Christ is coming Honey you’ve got another thing coming If he ever finds out who’s hi-jacked his name He’ll cut out his heart and turn in his grave
Islam is rising The Christians mobilising The world is on its elbows and knees It’s forgotten the message and worships the creeds
It’s war, she cried, It’s war, she cried, this is war Drop your possessions, all you simple folk You will fight them on the beaches in your underclothes You will thank the good lord for raising the union jack You’ll watch the ships sail out of harbour and the bodies come floating back
If the real Jesus Christ were to stand up today He’d be gunned down cold by the C.I.A. Oh, the lights that now burn brightest behind stained glass Will cast the darkest shadows upon the human heart But God didn’t build himself that throne God doesn’t live in Israel or Rome God doesn’t belong to the yankee dollar God doesn’t plant the bombs for Hezbollah God doesn’t even go to church And God won’t send us down to Allah to burn No, God will remind us what we already know That the human race is about to reap what it’s sown
The world is on its elbows and knees It’s forgotten the message and worships the creeds Armageddon days are here again
tHetHe
brogan rogan trevino and hogan supports kano 1000
22:43 on
12 September, 2012
You are one smart cookie…….and we are very fortunate that your good self, Paul, Phil, Auld Heid, and others, are ensuring that there is no cover-up in respect of the long term corruption surrounding rfcil..!!! ……. Thank you !!
Now, when are you going to expose greengo for the Conan he is, or, like me, do you feel it is for the greater good to allow him to pursue his plan,………LOL
BMA at 22:40
Hi BMA.
I’m no longer contracting, but when I was I used OrangeandGold and I found them to be excellent.
Yours in Celtic,
TB&F.
THE EXILED TIM, 23:07
It’s informed speculation on my part but if they are charged with what I think they will be, then big fish will be fried
Conan = Conman ……. Though I suppose greengo could be described as ‘ Conan the Destroyer’ of sevco…..LLOOLL