Former SFA president George Peat was asked by the BBC this week what regrets he had from his time at the SFA. There should be an abundance of items on that list, but there was only one – that a club asked him not to change competition rules to help Rangers with their fixtures in 2008.
In 2009, during Peat’s time as president, the SFA were subject to a Schedule 36 notice from HMRC demanding Rangers players’ contract details to be handed over. This was the time HMRC were building a case against Rangers, who disclosed one contract to the tax authority and the SFA, but decided against lodging a second contract, for EBT payments with either body.
The SFA were in a unique position to counsel Rangers on correct process. Had they done so, Rangers would have been advised that they were in breach of SFA and SPL player registration rules, which required them to submit all contracts to the sport’s governing bodies.
The SFA would subsequently be obliged to forward these contracts to HMRC and the tax crisis, which ultimately liquidated Rangers, would have occurred when the club benefited from the support of Champions League income.
As it happened, George Peat did nothing, Rangers continued to play improperly registered players for a further three years, and Rangers sold for £1 before being liquidated.
Peat, an accountant, made his way through the SFA as a director of Airdrieoneans. Despite his financial background, Airdrieoneans were liquidated in 2002 after a legendary period of mismanagement. He was SFA treasurer and vice-president, and would have had to resign his position at the Association, but managed to cling-on after becoming a director of Stenhousemuir.
A year after Peat retired as SFA president, but when he was still at Stenhousemuir, his team were the only club to vote to allow Newco Rangers direct access to the Scottish Football League Championship. Peat did not get his wish and Newco started life in the bottom tier of the SFL.
Peat also had the misfortune to lose his Head of Referees in an inappropriate email scandal connected with the visit of the Pope to Scotland. The existence of the email was denied by the SFA until evidence reached the BBC.
Perhaps most regretful of all during Peat’s SFA presidency was the handling of the lies told by referee Dougie McDonald after a Dundee United-Celtic game in 2010. McDonald lied to Celtic manager, Neil Lennon and asked his assistant referees to affirm the lie.
It became evident that linesman Steve Craven was not prepared to do so and McDonald came clean to the SFA. Despite this, the Association conspired to hold the line, as Craven claimed the Association twice asked him to stick to the lie.
All of this was reported openly but it was only the Celtic manager who was lied to, so Peat found no reason to consider his position, or anything regretful in the actions of the SFA.
He was replaced as president by a recipient and signatory of Rangers EBTs, Campbell Ogilvie. Despite Ogilvie’s acknowledged “heavily conflicted” status, it is telling that he was considered more even-handed than his predecessor.
As it happens, the subject of Peat’s one regret was ignored, the season was extended to accommodate Rangers fixture congestion, but in a twist of irony, they lost the title to Celtic and Uefa Cup final to Zenit.
George Peat is a perfect example of dysfunction at the SFA. An accountant at a liquidated club who rose from Association treasurer to president. He should be a national embarrassment, a salutary lesson on poor governance. But he’s not. In fact, he is not even that exceptional.
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PAUL67
Peat’s timing is as dysfunctional as the organisation he once headed.
https://www.change.org/p/scottish-football-association-fundamental-change-at-the-sfa
One of the many problems we have with the SFA is due to people like George Peat. His Airdrie club took a Board decision to withdraw an offer that their Chairman had made to Danny McGrain to be manager. Their Chairman Dalziel resigned and as we now know Airdrie went bust at a later date. Airdrie pissed off their rich chairman rather than have ex Celtic player as their manager.
These bitter wee character are very common in the SFA committees and when Celtic pointed out their behaviour to other clubs then we were accused of being paranoid.
Any proposal put forward by Celtic failed to attract the necessary support and this was due to the ABC tendency(Anyone But Celtic).
The reason that Rangers and Sevco get away with so much is that the blazers are “in the closet” Rangers men and the SFA has been run to suit the club from Ibrox. Whether is because of freemasonry or “blue noses”
Rangers got away with all the moves because other clubs allowed them away it. These same blazers hired the people like Farry, Bryson and Smith were employed.
Celtic could maybe have went to the press , the Police or the Courts with these allegations of freemasonry but, guess what they are also full of Freemasons.
” In fact, he is not even that exceptional”
Says it all
You missed that in Dec 07 Sevco’s ancestral Pre-zombified club requested and received dispensation postponing a domestic tie v Gretna on the Sunday preceding a CL game against Lyon subsequently adding a game to their fixture pileup in second half of season.
BMCUW
An interesting read. However , I declined to sign this particular petition because of point one in section two which refers to disciplinary inconsistencies favouring ‘big clubs from Glasgow’ ? They are totally undermining their own credibility/objectivity, and there is no point in even asking them which particular SFA decisions show a bias towards Celtic.
BIGBOY
If what you allege is true-and I have no reason to doubt it-why did Celtic sit back when the cheating was taking place,and why did they sit back when the resultant cover-up took place?
We were always led to believe that we could put our trust in due process,that the law was the same for everyone and that the truth will out.
Don’t worry,folks,Celtic don’t need to do anything,nor should they.
Your post,which attempts to exonerate the board,actually makes them culpable.
George Peat irony alert.
GLENDALYSTONSILS
Good point. The main thrust of the petition is well-aimed. I have no problem with anyone declining to sign due to that section.
I’m grateful that you took the time to read it. Too many things get lost in a blizzard of information nowadays.
HH.
Celtic’s constant complaining is ‘tiresome’ says George Peat, president of the Scottish Football Association
George Peat, the president of the Scottish Football Association, has condemned Celtic’s decision to go public with their grievances against the ruling body and its disciplinary procedures.
Celtic’s constant complaining is ‘tiresome’ says George Peat, president of the Scottish Football Association
On the attack: George Peat, president of the Scottish Football Association Photo: PA
By Ewing Grahame5:49PM GMT 12 Jan 2011
On Tuesday the club launched an appeal against the six-match touchline ban imposed on manager Neil Lennon, stating: “As well as challenging the severity of the punishment imposed, our appeal will also focus on issues of procedural fairness and the manner in which such hearings are conducted.”
It was merely the latest in a series of volleys aimed at the SFA by the club, one of which led to the resignation of referee Dougie McDonald (who had lied about his reasons for not awarding Celtic a penalty) and which also contributed to an unprecedented strike by referees in November.
However, the latest complaint provoked a furious response from Peat, who believes that the club’s officials are behaving increasingly irresponsibly.
“Celtic’s policy of airing their grievances in public is becoming tiresome,” he said.
“It is ironic that they have chosen to criticise the SFA’s processes and structures yet again on the eve of our two-day seminar which will culminate in a new strategy, incorporating streamlined structures and more efficient procedures.
“The SFA is acutely aware of the need to modernise. That was why we commissioned the Henry McLeish Review, which we are committed to implementing.
“It was only a matter of weeks ago that the Celtic chief executive [Peter Lawwell] welcomed the Scottish FA’s recognition of the need for modernisation.
“It is also ironic, given the constant demands for transparency and accountability, that the statement issued by Celtic last night was not attributed to anyone.
“Perhaps Celtic should devote more time to their own responsibilities and discipline than questioning others.”
Celtic, naturally, were not prepared to take that lying down and issued another unattributable statement on their website on Wednesday night.
It read: “In response to an SFA statement this evening we find it slightly curious that once again SFA president, George Peat, has seen fit to involve himself by attacking Celtic in this way.
“Particularly when there is an ongoing appeal against yesterday’s judgment to impose a six-match ban on Neil Lennon.”
Lennon, meanwhile, could face further punishment from the SFA when its general purposes committee meets on Monday, with controversial comments made by Lennon following defeats by Rangers and Hearts believed to be on the agenda.
The committee will discuss Lennon’s post-match comments following his team’s 2-0 SPL defeat at Tynecastle on Nov 10.
Lennon described as “scandalous” and “ridiculous” a rejected penalty claim for a Ryan Stevenson handball, which sparked his dismissal to the stand, and Joe Ledley’s red card.
The former Celtic captain also claimed the match officials “probably have their story ready already” – an apparent reference to McDonald’s false account of why he rescinded a penalty awarded to Celtic against Dundee United.
Lennon could also be taken to task over remarks he made after Celtic’s Old Firm derby defeat to Rangers on Oct 24.
The Parkhead manager criticised referee Willie Collum over the penalty he awarded to Rangers and his failure to send off Lee McCulloch during Celtic’s 3-1 defeat.
Comments made by Gary Hooper could also be on the agenda, after the striker claimed in a press conference in November that referees gave decisions against Celtic because they are “one of the biggest clubs in the world”.
The previously postponed GPC meeting will be the first since McDonald, in his resignation statement, accused members of the panel of failing match officials over the years by being too lenient on critical managers.
BMCUW
I agree the petitioners are well meaning and I’m glad at long last to see some stirrings of discontent among fans of clubs other than ours.
It’s just a pity it’s clouded by this ‘Old Firm’ lumping together by provincial clubs with a chip on their shoulder.
If they can’t see that we’re not, in fact , ‘two sides of the same coin,’ they miss the point completely.
Every time I read a post about the SFA I get another year added on to my sentence in purgatory. My soul turns black for ten minutes. May I rest in peace when my time comes!
I actually hate the SFA more than I hate Sevco (And old Rangers). I expect nothing more from a club full of bigots, cheats and scum. The SFA on the other hand should be above all that. In theory.
Major Weaver went on;
“I will give you proof positive……”
“The man must have been dead a week”
BBC Scotland Sport website, the only link to the Masonic nonsense takes you to the Daily Mail website, absolute cowards. Only story left is him moaning about slow investment in Hampden…
I beg your pardon, it is available under the Rankers part of the website…..no comments allowed on it…
I have emailed my MSP asking that he opposes any plan or request from the SFA for public money for Hampden or anything else until the SFA is investiigated for governance issues, a small gesture but maybe worth two minutes of your time, names of MSP’s can be found at they work for you.
Anyone else hearing stuff about Brendan resigning, today!
Endemic liars that always got help ;
SPL allow Rangers a free Sunday
By Ewing Grahame12:01AM GMT 04 Dec 2007
The SPL last night complied with Rangers’ request to postpone their match against Gretna at Fir Park on Sunday and were immediately warned by broadcasters Setanta that they must draw up strict guidelines for cancelling matches in future.
Scottish fans’ forum
Colin Davidson, Setanta’s executive producer, could have vetoed the SPL board’s decision but chose not to. However, he claimed that the governing body’s acquiescence leaves them open to accusations of undermining their own competition.
Rangers asked for the match to be rescheduled to protect their players ahead of their Champions League tie against Lyon at Ibrox the following Wednesday which will decide which of the two clubs accompany Barcelona out of Group E.
Setanta had scheduled Gretna v Rangers for live transmission but acceded to the proposal from the SPL. Even so, the broadcasters are displeased with both the timing and the increasing frequency of these requests.
They had been put in an invidious position last month following a plea from the SFA to postpone the Celtic and Rangers fixtures for the weekend before Scotland’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy at Hampden, both of which the station had been due to transmit live.
“We’ve got to be careful about the precedents we set,” Davidson said. “There needs to be a mechanism in place. We can’t have a situation where Rangers put in a request just nine days before a fixture is due and a decision is given three days later.”
Gretna’s meeting with Rangers has been rearranged for Wednesday, Jan 16, but still leaves Setanta struggling to fit in the outstanding St Mirren v Rangers match.
“We haven’t been able to find a new date for that match because they’re waiting to see whether or not they get through their Champions League group,” said Davidson.
St Mirren, should they avoid relegation, will ask the SPL board for permission to play the first half of next season at Love Street before moving to their new stadium in Greenhill Road, which should be completed by November of next year.
@telegraph
There’s a stench of the old Scotland about George Peat. Thankfully most of the country has progressed but unfortunately you can still see the bigotry in Scottish football and in our media.
” I thought they might have changed the fixture and played it Friday morning,”
“I was pretty relieved myself – the plane should be in by that time. I’m sure even Rangers could be embarrassed by this. People are talking about us being over the top by complaining, but talking of unsporting behaviour I suppose the SPL could fine themselves.
Martin O’Neill
BSR,
I see your still running away from the questions, deflect deflect now who does that remind me of.
PINTAGUINNESS
Not me!
Probably nonsense and timing would be odd, but growing arms and legs
Dear George,
Your team’s Deed
Sincerely
Leigh Griffiths
Pintaguiness @3:26
I was told on Sunday BR has been at Lennoxtown twice in the past month hope its just gossip HH
Brendan Rodgers spotted getting in to a taxi…at least that’s what a taxi driver told me…and he heard it from Owen Coyle’s grannie’s next door neighbour’s milkman…(do milkmen still exist?)
“If I were a milkman, doobe doobie doo…..”
BSR- Was that before Beachball Sunday?
Freidorfer,
There is a process for players who want to leave, submit a transfer request and request their agent is allowed to find an alternative club.
If this does not happen and the agent turns up at the club with an offer for his client than he can be reported to UEFA and disciplinary procedure initiated. If a club does not follow this course of action then they leave themselves open to similar abuse with all other players, do you believe Celtic should or would allow such behaviour to go unchallenged knowing of the likely consequences?
Sorry friesdorfer
I too hope it’s just gossip! I mean, I want to be the one to drive him to the airport…
But his head will have to remain outside the car…just can’t fit it in…
The SFA are only in office to do what they do, because the Celtic support don’t have the balls to get Hampden emptied for any Celtic games, including semi finals and finals, and all the smaller rounds as well.
The SFA only do what they do, because, Celtic supporters have presented themselves as, easy meats.
Celtic supporters have presented themselves as being there to be easily mugged.
Celtic supporters have presided over a PLC board who are complicit players in all the scandals that have unfolded since the unearthing of the Internet Bampots and their mountains of evidence that proves hun / SFA collusion to cheat Celtic supporters, and at every flash point, the Celtic PLC board have been, consistently, complicitly silent.
Celtic supporters have swallowed…..
LNS Whitewash.
NFL being flung under the ‘shame game’ bus.
NFL walking out because Lawwell was selling the likes of, Wanyama and replacing him with Bitton, while the rest of the Wanyama money disappeared.
Sevco being allowed into the leagueand baing passed off as Rangers.
Sevco tickets priced at the same price as, Rangers tickets £49, now up to, £50.
And on, and on,…..
Celtic supporters are now as guilty as the huns supporters for, waiting for somebody else to sort out the huns / SFA corruption, like the huns wait for somebody else to put money into their club, instead of doing it themselves, some Celtic supporters on here especially, complaining that, Celtic shouldnt be the only club to seek justice, and yet, when Aberdeen FC supporters waved a flag inside Celtic Park claiming ……
…..”Celtic FC, Your SILENCE is Deafening!”…..these Aberdeen fans were dismissed as, clowns!
Thing is, the Scottish Establishment, which encludes, the Celtic PLC board, look upon the Celtic supporters as, easy meats, easily mugged, easily kidded. Maybe their right.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I would pay to see fisticuffs between George ‘smelly feet’ Peat and Dr John ‘war criminal’ Reid…
But who would win?
Kev…it’s not often you’re wrong…but you’re dead right again…
Hope you keeping ok…
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2018 4:07 PM
But his head will have to remain outside the car…just can’t fit it in…
Not sure if your posts re Brendan, are tongue in cheek over last wee while? You are perfectly entitled to post whatever you want of course HH
Well, that’s my theraputic few moments over…now back to my reality…
CANAMALAR
Sorry, didn’t realise you were still around replied at the end of the last thread.
At least give me credit for replying?
Not deflecting, I’ve just given up now like someone else.
Hail Hail
Bada…don’t you worry! My tongue is firmly planted on the ground…