This week’s Economist has a most curious article on the football business, entitled “Welcome to the beautiful game. Football clubs can easily be used as stealing machines. Here is an instruction manual. The stories are real, but most details are concealed”.
They assert, “It is a good time to enter the football racket. Banks are less generous and sentimental about loans. Tax officials are less lenient, too, as Rangers, a big Glasgow club, discovered”.
“Set up a holding company (or a nest of them) in a discreet jurisdiction, as many owners do, and you have a money-laundering and embezzlement machine at your disposal.
“Exaggerating the attendance at matches lets you run some of the dirty takings from your previous career through the turnstiles, turning them into legitimate income (this particular ruse works best if you buy a middling club, where games are not routinely sold out).”
They conclude, “Some national associations do a spot of due diligence on new owners, but this is unlikely to interfere with your plans.”
Brazil, Balkans, Russia, Serbia and Bulgaria all get a mention but there was only the one club got a name check.
Nest of holding companies in discreet jurisdictions, money-laundering, embezzlement, exaggerated attendances, dirty previous businesses!! Read it and weep, football fans, just don’t expect the blazers to watch out for your best interests.
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My Dear,dear,dear,friend… The Singing Detective
The Hispanic Population of California, now. EQUALS the WHITE Population of California… U.S. Census Bureau Statistics.. July 2013
Hmmmmmmmmm..
Noo, California, where Ah am noo a Very Frequent Visitor.. almost, a Resident,in fact..
Already has a Fair Number of Ither Ethnicities, as weel..
Among them . Afro-Americans..and Asiatics..and So Oan.
So This Latest Population Statistic from Calif, means in Effect
THE THE WHITE’S ARE THE MINORITIES in The State of California..
And in where Ah am Officially Domiciled.. In Nevada..
The Hispanic Population is Burgeoning.. and Is Growing Like Topsy..
So What diz awe this Mean??
Well . Nothing, Really, tae You Folks , in the U.K and Ireland…
But, tae Me.and Many ithers like Me..
These Statistics, mean ..
A Hellava Loat!
It means.. that Probably ..the U.S. will Never again
Hiv a REPUBLICAN as President..or a Strong Republican Presence in Baith Hooses..
within the Next Few Years.. For the New Possible Ethnic Majorities..are
Notoriously . firmly in the Camp of The Hand- Out Camp.. which .is otherwise Known ..
As the Democratic Party.
Ah am No Republican.. by the way..
But..
At least the Republican Party was a Bulwark agin.. Creeping Socialism..
which Ah detest like the Plague.
and Soon..it wull Be No Longer capable of Stemming that Red Pestilence.
Which will be Bad News, for a Loata folk, me …Included.
Fur.. What is Happening in those Two States, which Ah hiv Mentioned.
is Happening Also.. Population-wise.. In Several Ither Steates…
Texas,for Instance, Arizona..
New Mexico, has Already gone.. Sixty or Mair Per Cent Hispanic..
In fact,this Population Majority Shift is Happening throughout the U.S.
When the Inevitable occurs.. and Some say, as Quickly as 2020
for by then… the White Population wull Become, the de Facto Minority, in the U.S.
and All Political Power.. Both at the State level and the National.. will Be in the Hands of the Former.. “UnderTrodden”.
There wull be Mighty Political Changes . afoot..
That Means..
PAY-BACK TIME!
which wull not suit Me At all.
As a Matter of Fact. Ah hiv jist acquired several Properties,,in another Part of the Globe.
Where Ah will spend my Declining Years.
Meanwhile.. You guys in the U.K. will Be Jumping for joy.. when the Big Political Shift Comes in the U.S
You will No Hiv the U.S. tae Kick aroon No Mair..
Fur it wull Lost all of it’s Influence. too busy divying up the United States Treasury oan
the Poor People.. who wull noo be running the Country.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Woodvale Road,where the Hun hordes have been raining hell,is not far from Solitude.Any Celtic lads need to be with people who know the area,and can keep them right.Ardoyne chapel backs onto the Woodvale,and it wouldn’t surprise me if they had a pop at it.They returned the Virgin statue–minus the face.Magnamanious gesture?Just keep safe.
KOJO
You won’t like the article from Rana Faroohar in the current TIME.
In which she advocates making it easier for immigrants to join US society.
She makes a good case,if one-sided.
Enjoy your retirement in your new country,btw.
Genuinely.
I won’t comment on the irony….
see this orange walk mob?
what is it that they (and their religious leaders too) have against Jesus mother
ah blame their schools
Patrick Mc Dade
13:59 on
14 July, 2013
========================
Well said, agree 100%
Why bother if the team Don’t.
HH
Australia needing 15 to win.
K33-re Lennoxtown and U 19 teams etc,have any bhoys who didn’t get a chance at CP, succeeded elsewhere? Michael Tidser got a move last week but it probably says we are not bridging the gap between youth and regular 1st team footballers.HH
TAMRABAM
Historically,it is down to the reformation and a definition of worshipping false idols.
Reality is that they associate Mary with Catholicism.
Simple hatred,really.
England wins by 14 on a contentious catch behind – I did think it was out but rough on the Aussies.
England win by 14 runs .
Years ago, when news was difficult to obtain, I used to read the Economst whenever I could. It was far more instructive than Time or Newsweek. (Never really dipped into the economics section.) Must try and buy this week’s. I’m beginning to think it is only a question of when the deady bears will die again.
should have read: a question of time.
Kojo.
I do agree with you that the population criteria you touch on does not do the Republican Party any favours in the election process, the so called minorities in the past are becoming ,and in some cases have become the majority populace in many areas.
The main problem with the Republicans is that they are not only out of touch with the majority of voters, they also sound and behave in a way that makes them look way out of touch with everyday Americans.
O’bama, like him or not has presence and has become a charismatic leader, he also carries an argument well and convinces the audience that he is on their side, when was the last time a Republican politician did this and do they have anyone on the wings who will step onto the platform to challenge the likes of H. Clinton or John Kerry.
The Republican party does have problems but most of it is because they appeal to no one but themselves.
It will happen here to.
Do not worry about the pre-season results, they will fade into mist very soon when CFC come good and come good they will, with or without T.W.
HH
England win ” on the thinnest faintest hot spot “.
Off oot ——- beach time.
Looking forward to a Mohito ice lolly !
Summertime -way down south
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
14:24
No place for a theological argument here.
This is from the Westminster Confession of Faith, which defines Calvinist orthodoxy. This is what they are officially asked by their reformed Protestant faith to believe.
—
The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man’s nature, with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance.
—
Whatever arguments they use to justify what happened, theology cannot be part of it.
Parkheadcumsalford. Fella the wishfull thinking on your part will not happen they have to many friends in high places to let them go bust for a second time.I feel as a Celtic supporter we should spend more time discussing our own club rather than bothering about those second raters at Ibrox. H.H.
I’m away ma holidays
http://veryfirstto.com/experiences/view/every-michelin-3-in-6-months/
Jude2005 is neil lennon:
Where did you learn of Tony’s ankle and back problems?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
The article PAUL67 mentions awarding catering and construction contracts to your own firms.
Shoooorly not….
http://www.economist.com/news/international/21581724-football-clubs-can-easily-be-used-stealing-machines-here-instruction-manual
Im a bit worried about the team.
Big Vic away, Hoops set to go, Stokesy refusing contract, Tony maybe going on loan amid rumours of bad behaviour.
Hope I’m wrong but doesn’t sound like a happy camp to me!
Need 2 quality signings rapid, a playmaker and a striker please Neil.
Nialo83,
Stokes is a good club player, capable of scoring in SPL, but, hasn’t shown anything beyond that.
For me there is a bit missing that stops him making that jump, from what I consider a guy who will win you a SPL match to a guy who can win a Euro match.
I think he has the ability, maybe lacks a bit of pace, but, when he wants to, he can beat a man, score with either foot, and occasionally with his head.
I sometimes wonder about his appetite?
I don’t mean work rate, I mean that real desire to literally ‘ sell your granny’ just to great a goal.
I watched him the other night, taking corners, and I know Rooney sometimes does that, but if I was a striker I would want to be sniffing around the scraps in the box, showing a real hunger, ruthlessness to get a goal, and let some other guy take corners.
Maybe it is this, or the positional play, is what is stopping him being a great player.
Alternatively, it may just be he is uncoachable ?
One option, I would consider is giving him a few games in central midfield, to help him expand his footballing intelligence …just a thought, and this may help when he moves back to striker, or, we may find that a No 10 is his best position?
England win with the help of some honest mistakes :))
I watched cricket coaches on SSN last night who work with kids at grassroots level go on about how they have to teach them how to play in the spirit of the game, Then one said but at this level its a whole different ball game( well words like that)
Joe Filippis Haircut
12:47 on
14 July, 2013
Aye ,your right enough there ….a fickle bunch ….emphasis on the German “fick” hehehehe Braw!
WHITEDOGHUNCH
Most of us-well,me anyway-would have to wait about six months just to be allowed into one of them!
Enjoy yer trip,bring me back a doggybag!
Reckon you’ll be fine with the jeans and trainers,btw?
RalphWaldoEllison remembers ALS victims Jimmy Jonstone & John Cushley
13:53 on 14 July, 2013
A young 17 year old lad leaves his house one night goes to the local Co-op to get some crisps & sweets. He has no criminal intent, is alone & completely unarmed.
Meanwhile, a frustrated wannabe cop who has become the face of the local Neighbourhood Watch, gets into his car armed with an automatic pistol and starts to prowl the area looking for anything that fits his definition of suspicious.
The wannabe cop sees the unarmed & innocent young man & uses his radio to alert the police. The police tell him to stay in his car & monitor what is happening. The wannabe cop makes it clear that he is angry & frustrated because he wants to escalate things, & ignores the police instructions to remain in his car.
Minutes later the young man is accosted by the armed & angry wannabe cop (who has left his car) and 2 minutes later the young man is dead, having been shot by the gun carried by the wannabe cop.
You work out what you think about these circumstances.
If it was Belfast or Baghdad?
~~~~~~
Jings..! Crivvens..! Help Me,Martha..!
Another Eedjit Breaks Cover….
So A 6 Foot Exponent Of Mixed Martial Arts….
One Week Shy Of His 18th Birthday….
Takes A Wee Walk Doon To The Local 9/11 Minimart….
For ‘Sweeties’…!!!! Aye,Right….
As Well As A Known Marijuana Abuser (Traces Found In His System At P.M. )
He Was Also Known To Abuse ‘LEAN’….
A Home Made Narcotic Cocktail Popular In His Area…..
Made From Cough Mixture Containing Codeine (eg. Robitussin) ,Mixed With “Watermelon Iced Tea”,And “Skittles”…
To Reduce Bitterness And Make It More Palatable……
He Was Under A One Week Suspension From High School,The Teachers Having Found Some Marijuana Residue In His Schoolbags…..
He Had Recently Been Investigated After Having Been Found With Women’s Jewellery In His Possession,Which He Could Not Account For…..
There Had Been Rumours,That He Had Punched The Driver Of His School Bus In The Previous Week….
He Had Been In A Brawl With Another Student Earlier In The Week….
CCCTV Footage Of The MiniMart Shows Him Buying The Juice And Skittles….
And The Vendor Refusing To Sell Him Another Item Over The Counter…..
It Appears That Three Older Youths Of His Acquaintance Went Into The Mart And Purchased The Item On His Behalf…..
Thought To Be Cheap Cigars….Known As ‘Blunts’ …
Used To Fashion Marijuana Dowts…
‘Frustrated Wannabee Cop ?”…..
Not Exactly….Zimmerman Was An Upstanding Member Of His Community…
And Aspired To Join The Police Force…
There Had Been Nine Burglaries In His Community Over The Previous 12 Months
He Was Apparently Motivated To Join The Neighbourhood Watch After His Immediate Neighbour Fell Victim To Burglary…..
‘Automatic Pistol’….What Is This ?
Are You Trying To Suggest He Was Toting A Machine Gun…..
Try Semi-Automatic…..
Which Was Invented In 1852……
To Replace The Musket….
He Didn’t Alert The POLICE…..
He Spoke To A Civilian Emergency Services Operator,Who Relayed His Message To The Police….
The Operator Suggested That He Should Not Follow The Suspect….
Zimmerman Audibly Agreed….
And The Evidence Suggests That He Was Ambushed While Returning To His Truck…
He Complied With All Suggestions From The Civilian Operator…..
Although There Was No Legal Requirement To Do So…..
The Zimmermans Had Also Been Voluntarily Mentoring Troubled Black Youths In Their Neighbourhood In The Previous Year…..
He Had Also Taken Up The Case Of An Elderly Black Man…..
Who He Felt Had Been Harshly Dealt With By The Local Police Force….
The Police Chief Involved In The Case Was Censured…..
And Was The Same Individual Involved In Zimmerman’s Detention….
“No Good Deed Goes Unrewarded Etc..”
http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2012/05/24/update-26-part-2-trayvon-martin-shooting-a-year-of-drug-use-culminates-in-predictable-violence/
MUST TRY HARDER ! [ F- ]
Charlotte Fakeovers@CharlotteFakes1h
Time for another EBT beneficiary, to the tune of at least 525k
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/revealed-bust-tycoon-graham-gillespie-1912885 …
burghbhoy-agree,a real worry is going into Wednesday’s game with nobody showing any decent form after the pre season tour.This is Cliftonville’s CL Final and will be well up for it.
BMCUW
I’m scrambling about here trying to find some pennies for a roll and fritter that was wishful thinking
!!Bada Bing!!
burghbhoy-agree,a real worry is going into Wednesday’s game with nobody showing any decent form after the pre season tour.This is Cliftonville’s CL Final and will be well up for it.
—————————-
Nothing to worry about Lenny is sure our superior fitness will show if it goes to extra time.
Many Thanks for the good wishes on the birth of my grand-daughter this morning. Just back from visiting. She is a lovely wee thing. I’ll be sure to tell her about all things Celtic as she grows.
Congalves wd score more goals than Hooper.
A question re Lennoxtown-It is a good training base for the first team ,but is it worth the expense of youth teams if we are not producing players for the first team?We could buy a player for what it costs to run and maintain.Like most bhoys i love seeing a homegrown player holding down a jersey but the current model is not producing IMO
Cork Celt
Congratulations on the birth of your grand daughter.
Another wee Tim enters the world.
Still cant take it in that we didnt snap up Russell.
Siesta time.
leftclicktic 14.52
BoS AGAIN! Now why are we not surprised!
Afternoon all.
My first post on my new laptop.
The old one expired yesterday.
But I have retained its history.
Tony Watt to, possibly, go out on loan? He has obviously been a VERY naughty bhoy right enough! Would be disappointed to see him go, but let’s not forget he’s only 19 ffs.
HH!!
WHITEDOGHUNCH
I’ll bring you a doggybag on 28/9….
Reckon you can make it?
There’s a Blue Lagoon near the meet-up.
And Rabs Haw,which IIRC you used to operate.
Either way,get yersel along.
Got your mail address,so details nearer the time.
Look after yourself,bud.
And don’t bother wi the Michelin stuff. Look what happened to Mr Creosote.
From twitter
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/764/kqx4.png