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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Paul67
I would not be surprised if someone high up within the SFA advised Rangers to ignore the side contract registration to ensure Rangers would not have to pay tax via the EBT scheme.
I expect this person to ‘carry the can’ thus ensuring no adverse ‘consequence’ to Rangers
Paul67
Like most posters on here – you underestimate the power of the dark side.
The secret masonic handshake v’s Celtic FC ? Hmmmmm
HH
Ernie and South of Tunis
Thanks for the posts at the end of the last thread about chess.
It gives me time to get some practice in.
T3 – got yer appetite back yet after yer bout of man-flu?! Pizza crunch aw week was it?
Just like every Saturday evening…your coupon would have been stuffed! ;-)
TTTT
Philvis – Nae Luck but 4/5 lunchtime podiums not a bad effort.
miki67,
good luck in the fight ahead.
If you need any extra strength or just to blow off steam, know that you can always find strong arms and a willing ear or 2, here on CQN.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
auldheid
12:39 on
22 February, 2013
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.
Would this not be the Turkeys voting for Christmas?? Was it not the SFA (Campbell Ogilvie) who gave direction to LNS on what he was to investigate? Was part of this directive the systemic failures?
Great post by Estadio yesterday, especially the quote from the Declaration of Arbroath. I wonder what those brave men who signed the declaration would think of some of the posts on here.
philvisreturns,
The way they manufacture inflation is a scandal in itself.
They have people thinking it is ok to have a minimal wage rise, the mindset has been manipulated strongly by Money, not the Love of Money but by Money being a necessity. It’s a long game. Why is Germany so strong in these turbulent times?
Make the bare essentials costlier but make the luxury items a lot cheaper.
It’s a racket now philvis.
smedleybutler&andymurray.csc
Eurochamps67,
had a wee look at that ICT are good price too.
But I find the SPL very tough to call just now, but some very good prices available if you call it right …..bit like Killie at 3/1 v Hertz last week.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
petec
A miracle in Turin ?….I think so. Yes I do.
You’ve sparked the thought process’s …..
Keep it lit M8
Hail Hail
God Bless
PHILVISRETURNS
“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)”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Couldnae agree more-the average house price in Kilwinning was well over £100k,ffs!-but let’s be honest here.
It was NOT a UK problem.
The USA was the root of it,simply because of the sheer size of their economy. With all that money sloshing around,which had to go somewhere,loans for ever-more expensive housing to deadbeats skewed everything.
Other countries went the same way,the banks played pass-the-parcel,the music stopped. And a lot of people were left holding the baby.
Greece,Spain and Portugal saw their economies wrecked by bank lending to property firms. Other smaller countries saw their banks wrecked by lending abroad to do the same.
And Ireland-in a famous VANITY FAIR article-saw the Irish selling Ireland to themselves.
It was NOT just us. We got caught in the madness like so many others.
In years to come,people will look back on the first few years of this century and ask how people could be so stupid,same as we do with the tulip bulbs.
Cumbernauld No 1 – Thank you, and congratulations on your victory, dear sir.
Pope Pius IX is said to have sent Jefferson Davis a crown of thorns after the gallant soldiers of the Confederacy were defeated by the Union.
In light of that historical precedent, I think it’s only fair that you send me a Chomp bar or something. (thumbsup)
For me, the way forward through this would be a guilty verdict.
Punishment – Rangers being thrown out of the league next week, applying to join the 3rd tier next season under a different name & badge.
If this was to happen i’m sure the rest of Scottish football would be satisfied whilst the baddies fans would still have a club to follow as to not cause social unrest.
Govan Gorillas Est.2013
Skål
From previous article…
miki67
01:00 on 22 February, 2013
Where am I from?
A Tribe Called Celtic.
___________________________
Superb stuff M8
You take care – all the best.
Hail Hail
YNWA
Swatson
The SFA’s role is being covered up and I doubt looking at it was in LNS terms of reference, but I’m hoping that with something that took place over more than ten years he will mention systemic failure somewhere.
BMCUWP,
have to admit that I was too busy lording it that day to reacll for certain (although I have a sneaking suspicion that you have jinxed the Saaf Landan DENizens – see what i did there?) due to my 4 drinking colleagues all having their bets down whilst a certain some did actually pick a winner :-)
Funniest was PF Ayr and his “best bet of the day” remark when his pick were wining 2-0……only to lose 2-3 ……
Look forward to the next day oot though.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Miki
You have the strength and passion to fight it
YWNWA
miki67, thoughts and prayers are with you. Your posts show that you have the strength to battle through. Tough times ahead but you can come through this.
Hail! Hail! PMTYH.
Take care Timland
May God bless ‘Every’ Celtic supporter
Off oot
philvis
I think that one’s Catholic folklore, but you should still get a Curly Wurly, at the very least.
*. ┏┓┏┓ .*
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┃━┫┣━┃
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T4,
ive actually been a very good bhoy again this week. Not saying too much, but cautiously optimistic about tomorrow’s weigh-in!
Watch this space……
As for my coupon. Yes there is every chance it will be doon as usual, but at least i invariably get to around 4.45pm before mine is doon.
Unlike your gee-gees line which is usually lucky to see by 3.00pm before being well and truly burst!
;-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Miki67
All the best pal, keep your chin up.
miki67, only just noticed your news.
I am sure the journey ahead will present many challenges but I hope the support of some of your online CQN friends can help along the way.
Take care.
Garngad to Croy, I hope we hear from friend Campbell on the matter soon.
Celtic_First, I don’t, sorry.
KevJungle, we’ll see.
miki67,
No sense giving you the ‘brave face’ advice that we resort to so quickly.
You have a hard fight on your hands. The positive side is that medical treatments are advancing at such a rate that what previously needed divine intervention, is now every day becoming more manageable.
You will have the prayers & good wishes of every single person on this site & elsewhere.
You are a determined & spirited character.
You WILL beat this.
Good Luck.
my treble this weekend is Barnsley, Peterborough and Dundee Utd.
miki67
I’ve just seen your post about your condition and it’s taken me aback.
I’ve always find your posts searingly honest which is an admirable quality in today’s world and I always seek them out when I’m scanning through the blog.
MY sincere best wishes.
Murdochbhoy.
Paul 67
Why do you think Sevco should take the rap for Rangers?
Power to you, miki67, the very best of wishes.
miki67
Just catching up.
All the very best to you.
YNWA!
HH!!
Lord Nimmo has the chance to set sport in Scotland back on the right path.
Many of his class spit bolts at the thought of how much money footballers make. But many are up to the same tax dodges.
He’s not a football man. He should, however, set a precedent for all sports. Rugby too has been sullied by scandals of all manner since the advent of professionalism.
As the sub-prime catastrophe showed, debt is bought and sold on a colossal sale. If HMRC were to offer for sale the debts owed to them by ex-Rangers employees, I’d fancy buying some of it and pursuing them. What’s more – I know some people who would help me. In the mean and vicious spirit recently trumpeted by their heroes in the Tory party with their bedroom tax.
We’re still in Europe. It’s time to let the players know what high expectations we have of them in Turin.
Miki
If big Hartson can beat it from the position he was in then staying strong will help you through, Hail hail!
connaire12
12:53 on
22 February, 2013
Great post by Estadio yesterday, especially the quote from the Declaration of Arbroath. I wonder what those brave men who signed the declaration would think of some of the posts on here.
missed it can you tell me what page time please.
THE TOKEN TIM 1300
I was far too polite to laugh,as I may need his expertise when I eventually return home!
Always been a great believer in checking the results on a Sunday,rather than via updates.
Would be delighted to have another meet-up,though I might have less to drink before we make our way to the restaurant next time. Although it WAS smashing,I will long remember it…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbo6WhbNRsc
Skal
Without the share issue IPO income to draw on I reckon from figures in the public domain they could not see out this season and will have problems next.
It is the underlying business model that with their current cost base and income streams does not stand up without the share money.However if that cannot be part of The Rangers turnover because it belongs to RIFC then the SFA should have a problem with issuing a licence for the coming season, especially since they have stated that they will make public turnover, total wages, net assets and profit or loss ( but not net debt).
Fair play to SFA adding the transparency clause to their rules, which contain other interesting elements.
When Paul says others do not believe in the too big to fail idea I suspect its because others will not want to apply their own rules lest they have to admit they are wrong.
We seem to have been here before – the Big Tax Case and all that – so lets see what happens.
That said, title stripping will feed their misplaced sense of injustice – but I guess that’s just tough.
I suppose the detail we are all unsure of is the terms under which Sevco were granted Rangers license – can anyone shed some light on that?
At the very least, I would hope that individuals in Rangers and the SFA would be publicly pursued, binned and banned for this sorry debacle.
…………………………………….Thomas Rogic expected to start on Sunday
Celtic-First,
did someone not post on here a few months back a document that showed that Green and Sevco agreed to taking on any penalties/punishments that might be meted out to rangers (deid) from both the EBT tax case(s) and also the SPL independent investigation as part of the stipulations for Sevco receiving rangers’ SFA membership?
I may be wrong but Im sure that was the case.
And rather annoyingly, even though I was convinved I had saved or at least d’loaded aforementioned document on my PC, it would appear that I did not!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token