I see a bit of debate on the blog this morning on Lord Nimmo Smith’s SPL Commission, which has retired to prepare its report. In March last year former Rangers owner, Sir David Murray, insisted no Rangers players had “side contracts”, inferring there was no case to answer. This line has not been peddled since. Instead, various excuses are offered in mitigation.
BBC’s award winning The Men Who Sold the Jerseys documentary established that a large number of players received money in connection with playing football which was not recorded with the SPL and SFA. Even Rangers counsel at the First Tier Tribunal conceded tax should have been paid on five of these players.
The real issue for Nimmo Smith is how to impose an appropriate punishment for illegal registration on this scale, which is consistent with punishments recently handed out to Spartans, Dunfermline and others, all of whom were kicked out of competitions, and fined up to a quarter of their annual income, for offences relating to single games.
For a couple of years now we have discussed the toxicity of matters surrounding the Rangers group of clubs. Actions carried out during the Murray and Whyte eras put Rangers into liquidation with vast governance issues plaguing the game and the new club which inherited their player registrations.
On the assumption the SPL Commission concludes Rangers were guilty of fielding illegally registered players in hundreds of games, what would an appropriate punishment be? Forget about stripping titles, or reclaiming prize money, both of which are merely consequences of the facts being established, not punishments.
I have total confidence Nimmo Smith will submit a report beyond reproach on whether Rangers broke the rules, but would he send for a Black Cap before handing out a sentence? I’m not so sure. Spartans and the rest might feel their 25% annual income fine for a single-match offence might become an embarrassment to some of the game’s administrators.
“Without fear or favour” was what we were promised last year. Let’s see.
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Ole
When you reach the part where the heartaches come, the hero would be me. (thumbsup)
Efe
A police car and a screaming siren –
A pneumatic drill and ripped up concrete –
A baby wailing and stray dog howling –
The screech of brakes and lamp light blinking –
That’s Entertainment.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
12:29 on
22 February, 2013
AULDHEID 1221
The alarm bells should have been ringing loud and clear when ALL the banks were making record profits year after year from selling opaque financial products back and forth. To each other.
It was like pass the parcel,but every time the music stopped,the prize became more valuable.
Until it stopped…….
http://blogs.e-rockford.com/willpfeifer/files/2011/08/No-Darth_Vader.jpg (thumbsup)
Fav Uncle – game, set and match! Couldn’t agree more, the horse has bolted….!
And Renewables will not make up the feckin difference anytime soon. Lights should start going out circa Winter 2014.
T4
Oh dear…..
Philvisreturns Gentleman’s Gentleman has just had his weekend off cancelled.
FAVOURITE UNCLE
12:25 on 22 February, 2013
I’ve long suspected that it was that line of argument that caused many Tories to switch support to the SNP.
What punishment could LNS impose on a dead club that would make any sense?
For me, removing titles won by cheating isn’t a punishment, just an enforcement of football’s rules. The punishment should come on top – and be directed at the individuals involved in the improper registrations.
Philvis…..I’m disappointed
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS – I’ve already told him to buy the bag of sand I’m going to make him eat this weekend. (thumbsup)
robinbhoy:10:23 on 22 February, 2013
Miki67
I think I told you before that my old man suffered with COPD.
It’s a tough fight so,wish you well, take care and all the best.
RobinBhoy
>>>>>>>
Thanks. It is that and a lot more besides. Coronary arterial disease, and lung cancer.
Biopsy on Monday, then the fun begins.
I managed to speak to my brother, a fellow CQNer, ‘larrybhoy’. He is of the optimistic persuasion.
Yesterday was a shocker. But I’m no quitter. And modern medicine is so advanced now.
It was mindblowin’ to get introduced to the cancer team.
Brought it all home.
Thanks to all for your kind thoughts since yesterday.
31003 – Me too, but 4/5 aint bad. (thumbsup)
Haw T4,
the renewables debate was yesterday!
Stop stirring it ya fat bassa…….
;-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Afternoon all.
Any football talk expected?
EC67
questiontimeCSC
Bourne – if you speak to DBBIA tell him I said hello and then tell him here is the link to my justgiving page for the bike ride from Leeds to Belfast (via Liverpool) as part of the weeoscar4life event, as he generously said he’d like to sponsor me.
127.5 miles of unadulterated agony but all in a good cause.
Anyone who would also like to contribute any amount please feel free to do so.
[url=http://www.justgiving.com/WeeOscar4Life-Cycles-to-Belfast-March-2013-tomprior]Link[/url]
philvisreturns
12:29
I think an inquest should be called for…
Test.
Eurochamps67,
who you taking on your coupon tomorrow?
At the moment Barnsley (form team) at circa 9/5 away to bristol City is looking promising to me.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Paul67
Too big to fail is it?
For me being branded cheaters and removal of trophies cheating brought them would be enough.
But I would hope that somewhere in his report that LNS will point out the failings in the system that allowed it to run for the time it has.
Tackling that is an absolute must if the game is to move forward.
Taking club licensing as an example with what degree of rigor will that be applied in the current round?
The SFA have a lot to answer for.
Afternoon everyone. Is LNS expected to report soon?
Philvis, What happened?
Paul67,
You are looking long term, as always.
Superb article.
miki 67..
Words fail me ——–
Fight the good fight .
31003,
and to think that philvis a Coatbrig Bhoy was done by a Cumbernauld one……typical North Lanarkshire infighting!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
NorthLanarkshire(South area)CSC
O, Philvis,
I am truly gutted for you.
You deserve more respect.
Some people don’t seem to know their place. ( Thumbs Up.)
:¬)))
I think I might be taking my laptop with me to Nitra to keep up with events.
Sounds like something is coming soon.
miki67
Stay strong my friend!
Keep fighting the good fight!
Take care!
Auldheid, this season proves that no one is too big to fail, but I’m not sure everyone sees it that way, even now.
petec, thank you.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS – The alarm bells should have been ringing loud and clear when ALL the banks were making record profits year after year from selling opaque financial products back and forth. To each other.
The alarm bells should have been ringing loud and clear as far back as 2002/2003 when house prices started rocketing.
Opaque financial products are hard for simple creatures like Chancellors of the Exchequer who don’t know what the business cycle is to understand, houses becoming rapidly more expensive isn’t.
There’s an insanity in this country about house prices. When anything else – petrol, insurance, food – goes up in price, people understand it is making them poorer. When house prices go up, we’re supposed to celebrate it. Government policy for the past couple of administrations has been geared towards propping up unsustainable house prices. (thumbsup)
The Token Tim
ICT at Hertz.
The minis are mince just now.
The Token Tim
12:38 on
22 February, 2013
Eurochamps67,
who you taking on your coupon tomorrow?
At the moment Barnsley (form team) at circa 9/5 away to bristol City is looking promising to me.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~
I saw Kenny Jacket,manager of Millwall,on SSN earlier-I still have it for a month,then OPERATION KEEPITWITHOUTTHEMKNOWING kicks in.
He was discussing their recent poor form,having previously charged up the table.
Remind me,who did I pick on 12 Jan?
ernie lynch
How do you think Celtic will do over in Turin?
I think we will win but it will be a 1-2 or something like that.
Imagine it was a 1-4. ;)
I’ve not given up hope yet, it would be foolish to do such a thing.
Paul 67
I am also intrigued by Gordon J’s first point (you address already the question of ‘consequences’ rather than punishments).
If Sevco plays the ‘we’re not the same club after all; we were only saying that to rake in money from the dead club’s fans’ defence, what come back does the SPL have?
There has been a lot of speculation that Charles Green agreed that Sevco would take this rap for Rangers as part of the price of being allowed to play in SFL Division 3.
Nothing in the pathetic communication that flowed from the decisive SPL-SFA-SFL-Sevco meeting on July 27 provides any clarity (deliberately, you’d have to conclude). Do you know more?
miki67 : best of luck to you in the fight you have ahead. A positive approach and some expert care will hopefully see you through.
HH
TTTT
Son of Gabriel – I do think it is suspicious that someone from Cumbernauld has internet access. (thumbsup)
markderrybhoy – A slip of the thumb. (thumbsup)
The Token Tim – They don’t have much else to do in their multi-storey flats except watch “Gregory’s Girl” on VHS. (thumbsup)
Kilbowie Kelt – I know how Rodney Dangerfield felt. (thumbsup)
miki67
I’ve always been entertained by your flamboyant rants and I’m sure I will for a long time to come.
Know that the CQN family is always with you. Good luck with your battle.
miki67
All the very best to you.