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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istanbulcelt – Your knowledge of the Southern states seems to be based on the movie “Deliverance”. More the fool you.
If I were you I’d be more concerned with the Turks, they buggered Lawrence of Arabia you know. (thumbsup)
philvisreturns 16:09
lol!
The apologies of the politicians, the incriminated public bodies and Mr McKenzie only reflect the extent to which the truth has been revealed today. As Ernie has eloquently argued, the apologies have little to do with sensitivity or sincerity.
The independent panel is not run by the judiciary and dominated by lawyers which explains its effectiveness.
The dignity and honesty of the families in expressing their views is truly humbling.
Well done to Celtic and its fans for being supportive of Liverpool FC’s stance regarding Hillsborough for a very long time.
If Salmond or any other prominent scottish politician speaks out in favour of the process, they should be pressured (not today) to suggest setting up a similarly constructed independent panel to look at the evidence of corruption in scottish football and its links with agents of the state.
A proud day for the families and the people of Liverpool.
YNWA
Should never be forgotten that Thatcher colluded in what even Murdoch eventually admitted was misuse of the police at Wapping during the Times and Union dispute.
For many of us brought up in mildly left wing backgrounds it was a source of embarrassment, the Blair, a nominally Labour Prime Minister was not backward at expressing his admiration for her and could not get himself far enough up Rupert’s backside.
After being told for so long that the EBT was not a criminal investigation, why is the decision being released by the Scottish courts.
confused csc
philvis I thought it was the kurds
merseycelt lmfao as the big house door slams shut
Worth remembering that the only good word Fergus had for the old Board was when he commended Jack McGinn’s role in the aftermath of Hillsborough.
13 November for the Huns/ex-Huns’ day in court then?
Sheesh, the wheels of justice sure do move slowly in this part of the world…
philvis. Aye but that was in retaliation for Lawrence taking them from behind at Aqaba.
(thumbs up) Ooer. Another double entendre.
From today’s Guardian
“Documents released to the panel show how high-ranking police sources, the South Yorkshire Police Federation and the Tory MP Irvine Patnick were responsible for feeding the stories to Whites News Agency in Yorkshire.”
From Wikipedia
“Sir Cyril Irvine Patnick, known as Irvine Patnick OBE (born 29 October 1929[1]) is a British businessman and former Conservative Party politician.
He was educated in Sheffield at the Central Technical School followed by Sheffield Polytechnic.[citation needed] A building contractor, Patnick entered politics as a member of Sheffield City Council.[citation needed] He was elected as Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam in 1987. During his time as an MP he was a Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty’s Treasury and deputy Chairman of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Select Committee.[citation needed] He left politics after he lost his seat in the 1997 general election to the Liberal Democrat Richard Allan.
Patnick is on the right wing of the Conservative Party. He was against sanctions on apartheid South Africa, voted to reintroduce the death penalty, strongly supported Section 28 and, in a similar vein, opposed reducing the age of consent for homosexuals. He coined the phrase ‘People’s Republic of South Yorkshire’ in reference to the policies of the Sheffield City Council under the direction of David Blunkett.[citation needed]”
Nice guy?
……or
vile and horrible archetype of Thatcher’s Conservative Party.
Maybe he should lose his knighthood before Davie Ironside.
philvisreturns
16:09 on
12 September, 2012
istanbulcelt – Your knowledge of the Southern states seems to be based on the movie “Deliverance”. More the fool you.
If I were you I’d be more concerned with the Turks, they buggered Lawrence of Arabia you know. (thumbsup)
————————————————————————–
I thought that was a Turkish bath?
ASonOfDan – He wasn’t LOL’ing believe you me. It’s all funny cigarettes and big moustaches over there. (thumbsup)
canamalar – That’s what the Turks want you to believe. Never trust a country that is also a food. (thumbsup)
quonno
Sounds about right. Still, it was a good call so it is right to give praise.
HH
Is the Mitchell article still to be read on the Herald site?
Paul67,
I imagine that anyone who held any responsible position with that now definitively declared dead club is not used to any kind of scrutiny and so feel they can defend their corner by any combination of threat, obfuscation and bombast. It has served well in the past. They know no other, apart from appealing to the feral instincts of their “support”. Hell mend them, as my ole granny used to say.
Green say that isn’t sevco way to charge £1 admission and £14 for a programme, while forgetting to add that the rules don’t allow it either.
Can the guy ever give a statement where it is not full of BS?
Green Lantern (((((0))))) ; voguepunter
– Hence the phrase “Happy as Larry” (thumbsup)
There was a wee flurry of posts relating to Gospel music earlier .
Some may remember that on the Monday after the Hillsborough Disaster , John Peel [RIP] opened his show with — Aretha Franklin’s mighty , mighty version of ——- You’ll Never Walk Alone.
You could hear him greeting in the background ..
Apologies if posted – this statement is hillarious! Are D&P the new Laptop Loyal?
Administrators Statement
Written by Rangers Football Club
PAUL CLARK, of Duff and Phelps, joint administrators of RFC 2012 PLC (formerly The Rangers Football Club plc), issued the following statement today:
“I can confirm that the business and certain assets of RFC 2012 PLC – including the honours won by the Club – were acquired by Mr Charles Green’s consortium as part of the sale and purchase agreement.
“The SPL have been in contact with RFC 2012 PLC with regard to the SPL’s Commission which is examining Rangers’ historic use of EBTs. However, having taken legal advice, it is the Joint Administrators’ opinion that the SPL is not able to pursue RFC 2012 PLC in this matter.
“The SPL have stated that the Commission is empowered to review the use of EBTs under the contract between the SPL and its member club. RFC 2012 PLC no longer has a contract with the SPL and therefore the SPL has no jurisdiction over it.
“This has been communicated to the SPL and considering that further involvement in this matter is not in the interests of its creditors, RFC 2012 PLC will have no further involvement with the Commission.
“Our primary role as Administrators was to rescue the business which has been achieved by Charles Green and his consortium and whilst any sanctions the Commission may levy will not affect RFC 2012 PLC this process would not appear to us to be helpful to the ongoing revival of Rangers.”
jc2 Commented
15:37 on
12 September, 2012
PF AYR
No CL packages left ?
Surely not.
The Celtic fans must think that the package includes a Celtic v Zombie FC game.
Only show in town apparently.
Celtic supporters will soon tire of this CL nonesense. :>)
copyright SSB
What a load of nonsense the Hoops Support would never tire of the
CL Group Stages and financially neither would our Club who makes
six times the amount of money than winning the SPL for six Season’s
@ the end of the Season (15+Mil) go figure as one would say the
SSB don’t half talk a load of crap yeah and the other point about it’s
everyone else’s fault bar our own FC is the only show in town
Aye if one needs a hole in ones head that’s into listening to sectarian
bile picking up the damage cost’s and setting off the fire alarm
and who’s only intention is to reek havoc on ones neighbour’s
No give me well civilized and well paid footy any day of the week
to the other alternative it’s basically a no brainer
Dobbo – Where’s Radeeds? (thumbsup)
istanbulcelt – Have a placard made that says ‘ ‘Equal rights for gays’’ and walk up and down any roadside in the Bible belt. See how long you last.
Have you been bludgeoned on the head to traumatically that you are confusing the USA with rural Turkey?
People can and do hold placards that say “equal rights for gays” in the Bible belt. They hold gay pride parades. They have gay bars. They even had staged a public kiss-in recently in protest at a fast food chain’s owner being critical of gay marriage.
Do you know how many people were killed, maimed, or even bruised as a result?
None. (thumbsup)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have you been bludgeoned on the head to traumatically that you are confusing the USA with rural Turkey?
Eh?
They hold gay pride parades. They have gay bars. They even had staged a public kiss-in recently in protest at a fast food chain’s owner being critical of gay marriage.
I love the fact that all your examples of tolerance in the Bible belt seem to be text book cases of safety in numbers for gay people…….
Do you know how many people were killed, maimed, or even bruised as a result?
No I don’t know any, but it takes 2 minutes to do a google search and read about the problems people have in that god fearing part of the world.
Ouch my head hurts!!!! (thumbsup) HH
For those music fans of a certain era, Dylan’s new album, Tempest, was released on Monday. Just got a copy today, and IMO its very good, and well worth a listen if you’re into Dylan at all.
10 new tracks including the 14 minute(!) title track (about the Titanic). I believe you can preview it free on I-tunes.
Philvis – I smell another “Administrators Statement”
South of Tunis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5S6Ohl9UAg
philvis..,
was he not sent to destabilise the turks hold over the middle east enlisting the help of the kurds, with promises of and independent kurdistan after the war, which the british govt renaged on.
“Together we are Sevco”
istanbulcelt – Debating isn’t your strong suit. The funny cigarettes are taking their toll. (thumbsup)
Dobbo
16:30 on
12 September, 2012
Philvis – I smell another “Administrators Statement”
I know Dobbo,
The never-never repayment plan options are in very short supply
@ present due to the state of the global economy
When do we hear the results of the investigations into the dual contracts at Oldco?
So, Hughie Green (he means everything most sincerely, folks) wants fans of other clubs to get back to Ibrox any chance we get, to remind ourselves what we’ve been missing.
Er…….. no, ta Chuckie. I’ve been to that hate filled midden enough times never to want to set foot in it again. Either bulldoze it or, like Auschwitz, leave it as a memorial to it’s evil past.
canamalar – Dunno.
To be honest I’ve never watched that film the whole way through. I prefer Doctor Zhivago. (thumbsup)
cadizzy @ 16 18 .
” maybe he should lose his knighthood before Davie Ironside ”
Indeed . Sircumcise him now——- preferably using a very blunt , anthrax infested potato peeler.
Som mes que un club
Many thanks !
The independent commission appointed to investigate Rangers’ alleged use of dual contracts “will proceed with its inquiry” despite the club’s boycott.
Rangers did not attend the initial meeting of the commission , which was appointed by the Scottish Premier League.
A hearing date has been set for 13 November, and the sitting may run until the following week.
Rangers “will continue to have the right to appear and be represented”.
If I were you I’d be more concerned with the Turks, they buggered Lawrence of Arabia you know. (thumbsup)
Why would that concern me?
T.E Lawrence was that way inclined and would do the same to his man servant at every opportunity. I’m not that way inclined and anyway i don’t have a man servant.
Oh, and my knowledge of Southern U.S states is a little more refined than the movie Deliverance.
Enjoy your re runs of Midnight Express.
Big Nan 15:54 on
I loved the Murray bluster about being bigger than Sheffield Wednesday. Oh those were the days indeed
Glendalystonsils likes a mr whippy with his lime green jelly
16:37 on
12 September, 2012
So, Hughie Green (he means everything most sincerely, folks) wants fans of other clubs to get back to Ibrox any chance we get, to remind ourselves what we’ve been missing.
Er…….. no, ta Chuckie. I’ve been to that hate filled midden enough times never to want to set foot in it again. Either bulldoze it or, like Auschwitz, leave it as a memorial to it’s evil past.
I agree GlenDaily’s Tonsils & It was an over charged midden as well.
Yeah, who wants to rush back to hear some numpty play full blast
homophobia type rubbish over the tannoy and the ditty rang out
‘Your Rangers until July (2012) your Rangers until July you know
you are we know you are your Rangers until July’
Good Riddance.
“Davie Ironside”?
After all the positive publicity regarding disabled people arund the Paralympics we are still using terms like that?
The dual contracts investigation like the FTT announcement will drag on and on until we all die of old age.