In his Christmas Day message last year, Uefa president, Michel Platini spoke in the firmest terms possible about many of the issues facing Scottish football right now.
He told us that 2011 was “one of those years where one feels the weight and magnitude of one’s responsibilities, but which equally serves to provide greater strength. Because, the just cause – however difficult it may be – is all the more obvious.”
This is a strong statement of intent. Platini fully understands the position of president is not ceremonial, it has weighty responsibilities. If he believes these specific words, “the just cause – however difficult it may be – is all the more obvious”, he must take an immediate active involvement to protect the game in Scotland.
M Platini goes on to say, “To be a president is not to have an organisation at one’s service, but to be at the service of an organisation, of a game, of football.”
Scottish FA president, Campbell Ogilvie, who has been inextricably linked to the on-going improper registration of Rangers players allegations his organisation declined to investigate, would do well to consider these words. He is in place to serve the game yet he has offered us no information on the subject.
Michel then added, “It has been a year which has underlined the importance of our organisation [Uefa] as one of the guarantors of the values, stability and equity of this sport.”
Uefa guarantee the values, stability and equity of football. They do not work towards equity, they ensure it is imposed, you have the president’s word.
“It has been a year in which certain of our national associations have had to take courageous decisions to preserve the justice and integrity of our sport.”
Here, Michel could be speaking about the SFA, who have to take courageous decisions to preserve justice and integrity in the face of gross charges of financial and regulatory doping on a scale not seen anywhere in Europe.
His most important comment, which reflected on 2011, was:
“A year in which we have also had to remain solid and defend our values – sometimes alone – to guarantee the respecting of the rules and the equity of the competitions, and to prevent football becoming a hostage of a few for their own profit and interests.”
“Respecting… the rules and the equity of the competitions”. This includes player registration rules.
More importantly, “to prevent football becoming a hostage of a few for their own profit and interests”.
This is where we are today. Football in Scotland has become a hostage of a few who will follow their own interests, not those values Michel Platini holds dear.
The president goes on to say that 2011“has been a year in which, unfortunately and at the expense of certain agonies, football has emphasised its need for transparency and governance, aspects which are so important in relation to the respect which is so dear to me.”
There may be other countries in Europe more deserving of M Platini’s intervention, but the crisis in Scotland is acute and urgent, and the SFA appear overwhelmed. We need the oversight only Uefa can provide and its president promised in his Christmas message.
For an extended synopsis of how we got to where we are, catch up on Saturday’s blog.
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RalphWaldoEllison-is Neil Lennon Season 2011-12 on 12 March, 2012 at 22:56 said:
I think you are right on that point. Just one of the subtle rule nuances a newcomer to the scene might miss.
However if Rangers did get an all clear from HMRC you can bet it will be interpreted as Alex Thomson did by Scottish media and I suspect that even if the point is brought out it will be treated as a minor misdemeanour that gets a slap on the wrist. However everything points to HMRC winning.
Canamalar
When was this?
@poolbhoy
Having read several of the books written by the previous Pope John Paul 2 and many of the letters of address by Pope Bendict, I would imagine that Jesus would be extremely pleased with the manner in which both these men conducted themselves and with the message that they have attempted to convey to an often disinterested, selfish world.
I could be wrong however.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on 13 March, 2012 at 02:01 said:
ht,
there was a blog that identified that the vatican offered the british govt enough gold to pay off the national debt as an interest free loan, it was refused.
I bought some of that last time i was away. Couldney get a penny for it down the pawn a few weeks later.;-(
hamiltontim, maybe so. but religion is just another branch of politics imho. Personally i dont think He put us here as a test. We are all, after all, fatally flawed just by being Human. And, as you say, i could be wrong.
G’nite all, hear endeth the sermon.
ht,
the link was posted on here a couple of years ago, the blog was centred around questions asked in the house of lords.
.
When do the Gang of 10 Meet..?
What will they Discuss..?
Will they Really Slit there Own Club/Fans Wrists to Save Rangers..
What I think they Should Didcuss.
New Opportunities..
They way I see it is.. If The Huns are Newco or Oldco the Gang of 10 which is Realistically a Gang of 5.. Should be Discussing One thing..
.
Qualifying for The Champions League..
.
If Rangers are Banned for 3 Years or Start the Season with Say a 25 point Penalty..there are 4 or 5 teams that Could Finish 2nd in the League..bringing Their Club/Fans what would be 2 or 4 Massive games to Qualify for The Promised Land ( Champions League Group Stages).. Minnows have Done it Many Times.. Giving their Club the Financial Security for say 5-6 Years.. What 10-12 Million..and Maybe even some New Fans..
I see Finishing 2nd in the SPL as the Scottish Equivalent of the Championship Play-offs..and Entry into their Promised Land The EPL.. The Games Billed as the What..? 70 Million Play-off..
Imagine the Crowds at Say Fir Park.. Tynecastle.. Easter Road or Pittodrie and Tannadice if the were Within Earshot of the Group Stages..in these Play-Off/Qualifing Matxhes..
For the Gang of 10/5 Not to Vote in the Strongest Possible way to Sanction Rangers..is to Me Football Hari-Kari..
I really Hope all Other SPL fans are Urging their Boards the The Celtic Fan Base are letting Celtic PLC know Exactly where they Stand..
Otherwise they Will Never again get the Chance to Play in the Promised Land Again.. Not in My Lifetime..
I Would Lile to Congratulate Motherwell for Finishing Last in Champions League Group A in 2009..
Summa
I have Intentionally Not.. Mentioned Cheating.. Tax Dodging Etc.. Leave that to the respective Authourities.
But..
.as Soon as these things are Proved .. the Gang of 5 Must Seize The Opportunity..
Auld Neil Lennon heid on 13 March, 2012 at 02:10 said:
I can see the headlines already if they actually won the BTC.
“All Clear For Rangers” etc
Hope that all the omens are right, that HMRC win and they pay for cheating.
I can’t imagine how many new EBTs will spring up if they are vindicated.
They have little deniability if their publicly admitted salaries are as paltry as we have heard about. EG Novo quoted in a fines assessment/payment court document as being paid only 1,000 per week. If their regular salaries were all in the same ball park as contemporaries, then the EBTs might stand up better to challenge.
They have been arrogant, sloppy and complacent with so much that they have done, leaving so many loose ends around and seemingly relying on their old network for immunity and protection. There are also seem to be disgruntled sources around who probably know where bodies are buried.
That follow follow article truly shows the mindset of a rangers supporter, the references to “mixed marriages” tell a story of people stuck in the dark ages.
It is the most paranoid, blinkered piece I think I have ever read. I am astounded of forehead that it would be published on any quasi official website, though not surprised.
Perhaps the intention of US sportswear giant Nike in naming its new runners “The Black and Tan” for St Patrick’s Day was simply a tribute to the speed at which this hated murderous militia “ran like Hell away” as the ballad about them goes, in fleeing from the likes of Tom Barry, Dan Breen and the IRA Flying Columns who put them on the run in Ireland’s War of Independence.
DUSHANBE BHILLY BHOY on 13 March, 2012 at 04:18 said
Or maybe it was just the ” THE DRINK ”
:-)
Morning Celts, from the Scitsman:
Rangers administration: Craig Whyte still has big say in future of club, warns finance expert (Scotsman) – 4:27 AM Mar 13, 2012: CRAIG Whyte remains a significant obstacle to any takeover of Rangers* and cannot simply be wished away, a leading football finance expert has warned…
V
Apologies if that’s old news, it’s hard to keep up with the speed of the blog these days.
V
THE EXILED TIM on 12 March, 2012 at 23:34 said:
timbhoy in spain on 12 March, 2012 at 23:18
I´m on the Costa blanca,not far from Alicante.
Call me paranoid but I´m getting a bad feeling about the Ibrox game on the 25th,especially if we muller them.could be murder on the field & elsewhere in Glasgow as I think it just might be the straw that breaks the camel´s back for the sons of satan & Atilla.
Good morning friends from a slightly damp and particularly grey East Kilbride.
Cup Final Day -5 and counting…
Jobo
Paddy G
Great news mate, HH
KEVIN PAINTER predicts a riot after his walk-on tune was BANNED.
The Artist faces Raymond van Barneveld at Glasgow’s SECC on Thursday in the McCoy’s Premier League. He expects a frosty reception before facing the popular Dutch Destroyer.
But he was spared an even tougher time after Sky Sports and the PDC stopped him from using Depeche Mode classic and Celtic singalong ‘I Just Can’t Get Enough’ as his walk-on theme.
Now Painter has returned to old favourite ‘I Predict A Riot’ by Kaiser Chiefs. But the only thing he’s forecasting is a tough time from the crowd and Barney.
He said: “I chose Just Can’t Get Enough because it had been a really good chant at around the football grounds. I thought it would really get the crowds going.
“But I was made aware by my Scottish mates that it would divide opinion in Aberdeen and Glasgow!
“Then the PDC and Sky phoned me to say it would be wise to change the walk-on.
“Now it’s I Predict A Riot but the only prediction from me is a very tough night ahead.
“I’m expecting the crowd to be right behind Barney, he’s such a big favourite everywhere but even more so in Scotland.
“I don’t think that’s anything personal. I think most people would get booed if they were playing Barney in Scotland. But I know what to expect. I’m aware of the noise Andy Hamilton faced when he played Gary Anderson in Aberdeen, it’s something I’ll have to factor into my gameplan.”
Right lads here´s your Cheltenham winners today.(Hopefully)
1.30. I´m having a 20/80 bet on Montbazon.( 20 % win Stake & 80 % place bet on Betfair.)
2.05.Can´t see past Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle.Been on this since last year at big prices.
2.40.I´m doing a 20/80 on Fruity O´Rooney here.
3.20. Champion hurdle.Can´t really see past Hurricane fly here but I´ll be having a strong 20/80 here on Binocular,VERY impressive LTO. & will be ready to pounce if there´s a fly in the Fly´s ointment LOL.
4.00. Scotsirish will do for me here.
4.40.Quevega should win this easing down but I´m having a place bet on Kentford Grey Lady.
5.15.Small 20/80 on Bless the Wings.
That´s it lads & the best of luck whatever you bet.
Make mine´s a treble.HH.
After a quick read back at the blog……. Auldheid where do ye find the time to post into the wee sma hours like that? Great posts although the philosophical one about time and travel was beyond my ken :>)
impatient bar steward CSC
The MSM’s argument that newco must go straight into the SPL only stands up if newco are really oldco. Does that make any sense, and obviously ignoring any questions around sporting integrity.
Bryce Curdy,
From my perspective you raise a great point.
For a NewCo to work from a legal point they must convince the authorites that they are NOT a pheonix of the OldCo.
However from the Football Authorities need to be convinced they are basically RFC to secure a parachute into the SPL.
Hail! Hail!
Let cheating dogs die
Lyruc
Morning,from the North Sea where it is dull & bleak, but who cares as I will be heading back to G72 this morning, where the jelly n ice cream is waiting, hampden Sunday then rfcia on the box,must say the battered bunnets posting on Sat/Sun was the best I have read in a long time, could be a great 14 day leave. Hail Hail bigtamleavingtherig
Morning all from gay Paree, a wee bit cloudy at the moment but mild (15C max today).
From what I can see, the decision on the “daddy bear tax case” is being delayed until after the title party on March 25th.
The first reason seems pretty clear: to curb civil unrest, leading up to and including the Ipox match.
The second reason is more subtle…
It seems that new legislation, which becomes law on April 6th, means that any phoenix club trading under the same or similar name will be liable for any debts owed by the old liquidated club.
So, ideally, Hector doesn’t want them in the blender until after April 6th.
This is one reason they are trying to get a buyer ASAP.
A quick entrance into administration has always been Whyte’s plan.
As far back as November he started the alarm bells ringing – and if Rangers went into administration then, it could all be blamed on Murray. His non-payment of tax was provocative enough, but his ‘we turned down £9m for Jelavic’ was a blatant ‘come and get us’ to HMRC: he wanted HMRC to put Rangers into administration early in order to avoid the new law.
But hector didn’t bite.
He is biding his time and he’ll get his money.
oh, and Hector doesn’t do walking away.
;o)
A grey, mild and quiet morning here in North Ayrshire.
Morning,
Waking up to read one of the Laptop Loyal have decided to actually find out the facts of any takeover, to be told what Paul67 told us days ago.
Whyte will have to be dealt with by any prospective buyers.
Also, one of the Blue Knights see Aunt Sally as the right man in the dugout.
My day is off to a good start.
HH
So if the new tax regs come into force on April 6th ,it looks like a game of chicken between MBB and HMRC and the price is ragers history.
Seems to me the only way out for them is Liquidation ,take this option and all their troubles disappear along with their club .
IMO they can’t afford to keep the ragers 1872 going as there are too many skeletons falling out the cupboards in the blue room .
hail hail
Sixtaeseven 07.30
I wonder which hack will be 1st to exclusively really that info you posted on new legislation, after reading cqn. Was not aware of that, interesting.
The coverage yesterday of Paul McBrides funeral was for the most part apt, I say “for the most part” as again I find myself disappointed and somewhat angered by the First Ministers blatant use of the day to promote his less than heralded “sectarian bill” that man has no shame, he and his party have had their last vote from my household.
It must have been heartbreaking for Pauls family and partner to see him go, the words of those others (apart from Salmond) who gathered either to speak at the Mass or outside the Church would have been of great comfort to them, Paul McBride the peoples own QC has gone, and this Country is all the lesser a place for that.
sixtaeseven: No NewCo in SPL and it’s Non-Negotiable! on 13 March, 2012 at 07:30 said:
“hector doesnt do walking away”
pmsl
Morning CQNer’s.
I’m not trying to tease or, be wide.
But, I read on here on Saturday a posted version of – Leggoland :o(
It was the nutcase’s conspiracy theory were he wondered, if DD could be financing CW ?
Now, the more I’ve thought about this the more I think, the nut called – Leggoland(bhoo, hiss) might just be right :o)
Hail! Hail!
Unwise too as there is a trial in progress and his comments might be considered prejudicial.
Che on 13 March, 2012 at 07:43 said:
/////
Hear, Hear m8.
Hail! Hail!
Paul McBride QC
RIP
sixtaeseven: No NewCo in SPL and it’s Non-Negotiable! on 13 March, 2012 at 07:30 said:
Like the new name…..
Good morning all ..dull Manchester.
I still dont understand how a NEWCO could possibly ‘keep the history’
What mechanism exists to allow this to happen
Im sure HMRC will be very interested if they are being treated as the same company
Morning all.
Dullish in Arbroath (!) but reasonably mild.
Beginning to think of team for Sunday and thought I would start with the names of those who are absolutely certain:
Fraser Forster;
Thomas Rogne;
Charlie Mulgrew;
Scott Brown (captain);
Joe Ledley;
The following deserve to be absolutely certain but their selection will be determined by tactics:
Adam Matthew;
Victor Wanyama:
James Forrest;
Giorgious Samaras;
Gary Hooper.
Final group , again, selection determined by tactics:
Anthony Stokes;
Ki Seung Yeung;
Kris Commons;
Emilio Izaguirra;
Cha Du Re;
Finally:
Paddy McCourt;
Kelvin Wilson;
Whoever I have forgotten.
Interesting that , as the MSM cannot find a Celtic player to claim the title and the Treble are already won, an ex-player is given the opportunity instead! Actually a reasonable article (see top of page) but the point still holds.
JJ
A St Mirren Fan’s View on Channel 4 News
The dangers of Rangers’ tax shamblesMonday 12 March 2012 6:33 pm Alex Thomson
Last week I asked for non-Rangers and Celtic fans in Scotland to give me their observations on the current Ibrox detox. Several hundred emails later, I surface to bring you the first of a series of blogs.
First of all, a big thank you for the hundreds of emails and tweets. It is clear that very few Scottish football fans are of the Ahmedinejad tendency – almost nobody wishes to see Rangers “wiped off the map”. But when it does come to proper and fitting punishment, a strong consensus exists, of which more later.
What comes through strongly is the belief that the Rangers debacle is a genuine opportunity to rebuild Scottish football on a more interesting and fairer model. Ramsey spoke for almost everyone when he wrote: “Most see this as the perfect opportunity to better the league and the game as a whole.” A chance to recreate genuine competition in the SPL and consider wider matters beyond the “the self-interest of not just the old firm but the entire SPL.”
The key observation though, is that the current focus on owner Craig Whyte and declaration of his not being “fit and proper” to run a football club is missing the point.
As non-Old Firm fans see it, the decade or more long practice at Rangers of allegedly paying players one amount for tax purposes but another larger amount to save around £45m on tax via so-called employee benefit trusts began way before Whyte. Legal or illegal. A least one former director has publically confirmed this too.
Rosaleen said: “It all stemmed from before Whyte’s arrival, and yet nobody up here from the media is doing any serious investigating beyond him!”
Though that doesn’t square with recent significant revelations in both the Sun and Mail shedding light on Ranger’s alleged practice of paying stars one sum but telling the authorities they were paying another, to save millions in tax. We await judgement from a tax tribunal as to whether or not this practice was legal. That is actually happened is not apparently in dispute, it is the legality that is under question.
And here we get to a huge groundswell of opinion from aggrieved fans beyond the Glasgow cauldron (pace Partick Thistle). Because the rules clearly state that you have to tell the authorities full details of player contracts or they are ineligible. If Rangers did not do this – and it is still an “if” pending that tribunal – a decade of silverware, championships and glory is under possible forfeit. The stakes could not be higher.
If that is the case, Tony writes: “In effect Rangers have fielded many players over many years in all competitions who were ineligible to play. This is confirmed by former Rangers director Hugh Adam last week and is subject to a current commission of inquiry by the Scottish Premier League.”
And it was also confirmed by Mr Adam who told the Mail the practice had gone on for longer than a decade and predated the SPL.
What many fans cannot understand though, is how key individuals in the game were serving both as directors of Rangers FC and on the Scottish FA and SPL. The job of directors – beyond trotting along to Ibrox and sitting in the box in a suit – is to oversee proper governance of the football club.
Campbell Ogilvie, for instance, is current president of the SFA and was not only a director of Rangers during the period under investigation but also company secretary of the club. It was his job to know about contractual arrangements with players.
So far Mr Ogilvie has not stood aside from his current role whilst the SPL investigation is under way. How many such contracts were signed? How many did he see? Did he know about them at all? If he did, did he sanction them being signed off? If he didn’t – why wasn’t he doing his job? Is there not a conflict of interest in his current position?
We are currently putting these and other questions to Mr Ogilvie via the SFA, but as things stand we are told he is not doing any interviews but is “distancing himself from the current investigations”. When we asked if he has formally stood aside pending the outcome of the investigation, we were told he has not.
As one fan put it: “If it is held to be true that Rangers, in implementing an unlawful tax evasion scam on a huge scale, fielded ineligible payers whilst those responsible were serving as directors of the regulatory and licensing bodies, we can say with certainty that the game of football in Scotland has been corrupt for 15 years or so.”
One Clydebank supporter put it thus: “I am now reading that I’ve been ploughing my hard-earned cash into a league that has effectively been rigged in favour of one big side…but now I’m expected to just move on.”
This is the key area fans want some answers about and where – right or wrong – they feel they are being short-changed by what they see – time and time again – as an over-cosy relationship between the Old Firm, the SFA and SPL, and the Glasgow media.
One oft-repeated refrain is: “The media in Glasgow keep telling us how much Scottish football needs Rangers – what they mean is how much they need Rangers, not Scottish football.”
Nobody likes a cheat in sport. And here it’s claimed we have one in the shape of the loudest, biggest club with what some see as a tawdry history of bigotry, violent fans and a frankly supremacist culture. So when the bully and the cheat gets his come-uppance, there will be some vitriol.
If anything though, I was surprised by the considered responses most made to Rangers’ implosion.
But of course there’s real anger out there: “We have been duped…for 15 years,” wrote one fan, “and we are now sinking the boot into the perpetrators of the deceit. They have had a few days of pain. We’ve suffered nearly two decades. To hell with them and all who support them or feel sorry for them. They are cheats, simple as that.”
Well, it is for the HMRC and the tribunal process to decide if Rangers FC was, in fact and law a criminal and cheating organisation in the period under examination. But we can say there’s already evidence starting to emerge in public to support that as yet unproven allegation.
With the clock ticking at Ibrox, fans across Scotland are not short of ideas about what should happen. But as I said, remarkably few want Rangers wiped from the face of the earth. They just want existing rules implemented – a near-revolutionary suggestion it would seem, given the current unfolding saga at the top of the Scottish game.
Coming up next; Crime and Punishment – What to do with Rangers Football Club; should they be found guilty; and is liquidation the only way out?
Sorry about the spelling there, Georgious !!
JJ
CQN
Im sure you will all join me in in remembering the greatest ever Celtic player Jimmy Johnstone who died 6 years ago today
God bless you Jinky