Nimmo Smith’s Black Cap

1213

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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  1. Steinreignedsupreme on

    kikinthenakas 17:20 on 22 February, 2013

     

     

    I’ve been meaning to try The Mint for a wee while.

  2. Tooth gnashing session on FF re whether they should “forgive, forget and move on”:

     

     

    “No, its not “time to move on” and those suggesting this remind me of Harold McMillan waving a piece of paper in 1938…”peace in our time” once we have given them what they want.

     

     

    Denying Rangers and Rangers fans the justice we are due, the recompense, apology and restitution we are due by “moving on” is a way to deny our history.

     

     

    We dont walk away. We dont surrender monkey.

     

     

    Lets not move on; lets get it on.”

     

     

    They know their history alright.

  3. Headtheball & sixtaeseven

     

     

    Thanks. Haha, yes, I’d heard Les Mis was a bit shouty, and saw a clip of Russell Crowe singing – sounded like his voice was coming through the plumbing!

     

     

    I may go with Django Unchained, as the person I’m going with will probably want to see it. Always think there’s a lack of heart in Tarantino’s films, but I can’t help enjoying them. the opening scene to Inglorious Basterds was spine-pricklingly good.

  4. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Philvis

     

     

    Compare the nationalisation of British banks with German banks and the national debts. Thatchers legacy. She was smashing up the power of the unions while the Germans negotiated with them. Thats why Germany has a manufacturing base and Britain does not. Germany now controls Europe due to lending. Times may be tough in Germany but it will recover with or without Europe. Comparing German health system with the NHS is like comparing Celtic with Sevco.

     

     

    HH

  5. Philvis

     

     

    Christine Grahame jumps to the top of my ‘most disliked ‘female MP,closely followed

     

    by Harriet Harman (Blair babe) spew. Let’s kid on we’ve split up to save my job.

  6. sixtaeseven

     

     

    Meant to say that, but for the ending, Vertigo would be my favourite Hitchcock movie. James Stewart, Bernard Hermann’s score – what’s not to like? Watching the remake of Psycho only made me wish the great man were alive now.

  7. Just catching up,

     

    channelislandcelt,

     

    She would have known the scarf was there whether she could see it or not mate.

     

    I’ll be raising a glass and saying a wee prayer for yer mammy on Saturday.

     

    ———————————————————————————-

     

     

    The Troubadour of Tirade or

     

    The Minstrel of Manic Modulation…..Miki67 – Git yersel better mate

     

    we need you here.

     

    Hail Hail

     

    Teuchter ár lá

  8. up_over_goal 17:37

     

     

    As long as you like a lot of “tomato sauce” and crappy 70s spaggetti western music, you should be fine.

     

    I would never miss a Tarantino film either, but there are a few must-see films out now…

     

    Enjoy!

     

    ;o)

     

     

     

    ;o)

  9. voguepunter

     

     

    I heard voices…

     

     

    SCREAM.

     

     

    …God have mercy.

     

     

    Right. She’s dead. Clear off. NOTHING TO SEE HERE!

  10. Monaghan1900

     

    17:36 on 22 February, 2013

     

    Tooth gnashing session on FF re whether they should “forgive, forget and move on”:

     

    “No, its not “time to move on” and those suggesting this remind me of Harold McMillan waving a piece of paper in 1938…”peace in our time” once we have given them what they want.

     

     

    ———–

     

     

    I think you mean Neville Chamberlain?!

  11. Summa,

     

     

    did you no leave and end up almost as far away as it is possible to be from MLSheena???

     

     

    HAIL! HAIL!

     

    Token

     

     

    FactsSpeakForThemselves CSC

  12. Toor A Loo,

     

     

    merely born there…..not FROM there.

     

     

    Tut Tut.

     

     

    HAIL! HAIL!

     

    Token

  13. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    Miki67,

     

    all the very besy on you road to recovery

     

    hail hail

  14. Hamiltontim

     

    17:51 on

     

    22 February, 2013

     

     

    I think you mean Neville Chamberlain?!

     

    ——–

     

    You think I mean Neville Chamberlain?

     

     

    I don’t post on FF!

  15. The Mint

     

    Is owned by a fellow originally from the ML7 post code area.

     

    He follows Celtic everywhere, as does his sister who works there.

     

    His uncle owns the Railway Tavern in M’well, which is well known to Tims in that area.

     

    I have never had a bad meal in it, and the service is very good.

     

     

    SPF

  16. Monaghan1900

     

    17:54 on 22 February, 2013

     

     

    Apologies I thought possibly your trousers were just too tight ;-)

  17. InvernCally need talking to.

     

     

    For pricing purposes they list games as “A” category and “B” category.

     

     

    They explain;

     

    “A” = Rangers/Celtic Games, “B” = All Other Games

     

     

    I’m not taking any excuses about news being slow to reach those remote parts.

     

     

    Thir deid.

  18. Hamiltontim

     

    17:57 on

     

    22 February, 2013

     

    Monaghan1900

     

    17:54 on 22 February, 2013

     

     

    Apologies I thought possibly your trousers were just too tight ;-)

     

    ——-

     

     

    And you in charge of the country’s education.

     

     

    There was always plenty room in C&A trousers!

  19. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    I fully expect LNS to adorn the black bowler and white gloves that his two colleagues done in the FTT verdict.

     

     

    Too much clandestine horse trading has been done meantime. Minimum toxicity and contagion to all self interested parties; UEFA, SFA, SPL, SNP, SFL, Sevco and of course Celtic.

     

     

    We love a good buggering and will quietly accept it as there is money to be made.

     

     

    When that becomes apparent that justice does not take precedence over money and all the games where tic fans were ripped off over SDMs entire reign then thats when me and Celtic part ways.

     

     

    HH

  20. ntassoolla.15:20 on22 February, 2013

     

    miki67 @14:46 Like the night I saw two packs of timberwolves meet by moonlight on a highway in Northern Alberta.”

     

     

    Whit team did they support?

     

    >>>>>>>

     

    The Young Shamrock!

     

    ; > ))))

  21. Scotpatsfan

     

     

    They are also pals of mine and I am one of the retired ghuys who travel with them to the games, the family own several pubs all well run and all great value, heading off for a pint in the tavern shortly!

  22. Art of war

     

     

    A converted bank which is a bar/ restaurant, great food food and great value…

  23. Headtheball & sixtaeseven

     

     

    Thanks. Haha, yes, I’d heard Les Mis was a bit shouty, and saw a clip of Russell Crowe singing – sounded like his voice was coming through the plumbing!

     

     

    I may go with Django Unchained, as the person I’m going with will probably want to see it. Always think there’s a lack of heart in Tarantino’s films, but I can’t help enjoying them. the opening scene to Inglorious Basterds was spine-pricklingly good.

     

     

    Have you tried the original IB’s?

     

     

    Brilliant

  24. kikinthenakas

     

    In ML7, especially the Dykehead area, spit, all our families were well known to each other.

     

    We were a tight unit.

     

    The owners are younger than me but we travelled to the games on the same bus.

     

     

    SPF

  25. Monaghan1900

     

     

    I’m getting to the stage that even C&A elasticated pantaloons wouldn’t provide sufficient breathing space!! ;-)

  26. Awe Naw

     

    Have been mulling something similar for ages now but just can’t be as bold as to put it in print……Let’s wait for the report…We may be surprised.

     

    Teuchter ár lá

  27. Hamiltontim

     

    18:08 on

     

    22 February, 2013

     

    Monaghan1900

     

     

    I’m getting to the stage that even C&A elasticated pantaloons wouldn’t provide sufficient breathing space!! ;-)

     

    ——

     

     

    Same myself – hoping six weeks off the sauce will ease the pressure!

  28. Monaghan1900

     

    18:11 on 22 February, 2013

     

     

    I’d been doing great in preparation for the cycle to Belfast but a dodgy hip and sprained ankle have halted my progress!!!

     

     

    Well that and 20 non e-lite fags ;-)

  29. cadizzy16:10 on 22 February,

     

    I’ve met Larry a few times (last saw him at the Emirates for the Arsenal game). I take it you got the looks in the family.

     

    >>>>>>>>

     

    larry’s the one who got the looks! I got the brains. But, by god am I howler !

     

    And not just because he’s my brother, he’s one of the finest people I’ve ever known. One of the good guys.

     

    I’ll be embarrassing the wee bugger now.

     

    Serves him right.

     

    He can tell you what an unholy terror I was in my youth.

     

    HH!

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