Prima facie day is here! Neil Doncaster spent weeks telling us that the SPL had yet to establish if Rangers had a prima facie case to answer in connection with the alleged illegal registration of players. Today he confirmed to the SPL board and the media that they do indeed have a case to answer.
Rangers Employee Benefit Trusts have been the source of considerable controversy since 2010 when it emerged that HMRC had taken action against the club, at the time claiming in the region of £24m. EBTs had been recorded on Rangers accounts for a decade without much comment, so there was no reason to assume the club had made payments to players out-with the oversight of the football authorities.
On 22 February this year Celtic Quick News asked the question, were these EBT payments recorded with the SFA, or did Rangers hide them? There was little reason for the club to hide them, unless, perhaps, they had something to else hide, which was beginning to look the case.
Today we have our answer. Whatever is left of what some regard to be Rangers FC will be subject to some of the most severe disciplinary procedures levelled in the history of football. Appropriate penalties for subverting the game for over a decade are impossible to define.
Celtic fans are not the only ones to lose from this illegal registration of players but they suffered significantly. Five league titles went to Rangers, in 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011. All of these titles will be stripped from Rangers records and awarded to Celtic.
You can look forward to 12-in-a-row day soon, which is simply, CHAMPION!
865 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- »
maggie,
he told us a few weeks ago, some people he knows managed to question PL at a nigh out at Celtic park. PL told more than one, newco would be in and Celtic will not be majing any legal challenges.
EGM required methinks, this can potentialy festroy the club and the present incumbants do not have the right to pervert our club to suit their agenda.
spellons majic the night :o)
I do not want to annoy Paul67. CQN is a magnificent weapon against hunnery. I know you agree. I will always support Paul67. If you think it will help answer an important question though i.e. specifically ..are the Old Firm incahoots.. which I find unbelievable . I’ll give you or Ernie Lynch my shares.
Because if its true. Whats the point carrying on?
Margaret McGill on 19 June, 2012 at 03:50 said:
was directed at
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on 19 June, 2012 at 03:47 said:
maggie,
the CST\CSA should be leading this, an EGM is needed to get to the bottom of this, I’m surprised its been left to me to make the suggestion, then again could we trust them to ask questions that dont suit their agenda.
Thing being EGM instigators make the agenda not the board, time for answers,
Agreed and IMO this blog opened the door for Philmac and RTC, for me this is the source.
As a shareholder I would want to know what action the board intend to take to recover the loss of earnings due to cheating.
One question will tell us all we need to know.
anyroadup,
time for bawbaws.
night night n
hail hail
The SFA and SPL are loathed to consign the huns to the dustbin right now..why is that? There is no money in it for any one. They are a financial liability in many ways. No one will gain financially from this new club. What is it? TV money? attendances? check it out. No one benefits really. Their time has come today.
Div 3 maybe ..let them begin.
Going by the list posted earlier by Bjmac you would hope Hearts and Dundee Utd would want to vote no as theres an even better chance of second and a Champions League qualifier the next season. Second and a CL qualifier should earn them more than having loss of season ticket holders in a league with newhuns in it? It would even show a bit of ambition.
Suspected votes:
Yes – Celtic, Hibs, Aberdeen
No – Killmarnock, Lanarkshires Shame, ICT, newhuns
Undecided – DU, Hearts, St. mirren, Ross County, St Johnstone
The whole shambles shouldnt even be up for a vote, the cheating swines shouldnt even be entertained in the SPL or SFL division 3.
Morning Celts looks like another decent Hun skelping day on the NW coast of engerlund, I never see the Ireland game but did see the Balotelli goal, cracker.
HH
Estadio Nacional –
So you’ve got Newhun voting NO.
I was right.
It’s Baldrick MP all over again.
Ya dancer :)
Good morning all from a fairly bright and pleasant East KIlbride. Although should be a bit better than this for this middle of June. Still, can’t have everything I suppose.
morning jobo,
Thanks for the local weather report.dry and overcast in HA3 this morning.
Sanna
Tom McLaughlin 06:12
Haha, jeez Ive lost track of whats going on, ‘YES’ the vote for Yes tell them where to go… Or something.
EN
MOrning from a hun free ozzy outback
Is Loovens gone yet ?
Anyword on paddy ?
What about the wigan striker, good player but too inconsistent for top premiership teams..should scre bagful in scotland.
Any more bids for ki ?
Have great day celts..
Proud of my country proud of my people
Blackadder: Right. Now all we have to do is fill in this MP application form. Name? Baldrick. First name…?
Baldrick: Er, I’m not sure.
Blackadder: Well, you must have some idea…
Baldrick: Well, it might be Sod off.
Blackadder: What?
Baldrick: Well, when I used to play in the gutter, I used to say to the other snipes, “Hello, my name’s Baldrick,” and they’d say, “Yes, we know. Sod off, Baldrick.”
Blackadder: All right, right right right right, Mr. S. Baldrick. Now; distinguishing features… None.
Baldrick: Well, I’ve got this big growth in the middle of my face.
Blackadder: That’s your nose, Baldrick. Now; any history of insanity in the family? Tell you what, I’ll cross out the in. Any history of *sanity* in the family? None whatsoever. Now then; criminal record…
Baldrick: Absolutely not.
Blackadder: Oh, come on, Baldrick, you’re going to be an MP, for God’s sake! I’ll just put fraud and sexual deviancy. Now; minimum bribe level…
Baldrick: One turnip. Oh, hang on, I don’t want to price myself out of the market.
Blackadder: Baldrick, I’ve always been meaning to ask: Do you have any ambitions in life apart from the acquisition of turnips?
Baldrick: Er, no.
Blackadder: So what would you do if I gave you a thousand pounds?
Baldrick: I’d get a little turnip of my own.
Blackadder: So what would you do if I gave you a million pounds?
Baldrick: Oh, that’s different. I’d get a great big turnip in the country
Good morning CQN from a wet Clydebank
It’s great to be a Tim you get up in the morning Hun free and
Just know there is a lot more pain to come for them
I know my Christian believes say I should turn the other cheek
But they show no remorse for what they have done to
Scottish and European football
Hang them High
Keep the Faith
Hail Hail
I’m still in Malaysia,and though the sun is shining and the weather is fine. I do feel like I’m missing out.
Anyway, anyone who mentions the fact that a new club will be able to enter the table and bargain on winning votes by saying “we will change the voting structure” forget it. That ship has sailed, whatever happens now the voting structure will most likely change. Any club, Dundee for example, coming to the SPL will probably vote with the “rebel ten” on this.
Anyone know what’s happened to The Bould Beith Bhoy,aka JHILDAY?
Missing his regular reports at around this time……
Neil Doncaster’s song of the day
The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little pray for you
While combing my hair now,
And wondering what dress to wear now,
I say a little prayer for you
Forever, and ever, you’ll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I love you
Forever, Together, that’s how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me.
I run for the bus, dear,
While riding I think of us, dear,
I say a little prayer for you.
At work I just take time
And all through my coffee break-time,
I say a little prayer for you.
Forever, and ever, you’ll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, and ever we never will part
Oh, how I’ll love you
Forever, Together, that’s how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me.
I say a little prayer for you
I say a little prayer for you
My darling believe me, ( beleive me)
For me there is no one but you!
Please love me too (answer his pray)
And I’m in love with you (answer his pray)
Answer my prayer now babe (answer his pray)
Forever, and ever, you’ll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, and ever we never will part
Oh, how I’ll love you
Together, forever, that’s how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me (oooooooooh)
Cheers mwd,
You’ve now got mehumming that on the bus getting some funny looks !
Predictor update later
Sanna
This rubbish about allowing them in before kicking them out again should be knocked on the head now
really getting me annoyed now
Morning all
MWD, you’ve reminded me of the time I saw Neil Doncaster and the Scrofulous New Hillbillies at the Ole Burns Howff. What a waste of time and money that was.
blantyretim said:
This rubbish about allowing them in before kicking them out again should be knocked on the head now
Who is saying this BT? The media or on CQN? I haven’t seen that. In what way let them in and kick them out?
Serious question:
Rangers – Board of craig whyte, murray etc – liquidated. No longer exist.
Space becomes available in SPL.
Sevco – board of Charles green, bald guy murray etc – apply for a spot in said SPL.
How does Sevco get a vote??? Can anybody please tell me? They are not (as far as I can see,) a current SPL stakeholder.
Thanks
LuxCelt – and others
Why Rangers can vote, courtesy of PaulMcC
Link
Seems to have gone all quiet on the walturd’s vultures front….?
Oh dear. Try again
Why Rangers can vote
Link
Tom , LuxCelt the legal eagles interpretation explains why they THE get a vote could , in theory, get back in , and then get proper sanctions including expulsion………….on planet earth the Clubs and SPL will vote the path of least resistance , which surprisingly will be NO to THE and a new brave world for Scottish football. I am sure that our own corporate will need to make some small concessions but THE will need to regain their place on merit and without too much hand outs or hand ups. Hail Hail. Cheaters never win. Scotland is better than some of you think.
I have just read a wonderful piece of writing by Graham Spiers in The Herald in which he pays a moving and heart-warming tribute to his late father.
My dad: remembering a father lost
I hope Graham does not mind my sharing this with my friends on CQN.
By PAUL HUGHES and ROBERT McAULAY The Sun
FURIOUS SPL chairmen want to strip Rangers of SEVEN league titles — if the crisis-hit club are found guilty of making dodgy payments to players.
A number of bosses also want to take back any cup silverware from the Light Blues if their controversial use of Employee Benefit Trusts is judged to be illegal.
The Ibrox outfit — now in liquidation — is accused of abusing the scheme to avoid £47million in tax between 2001 and 2010.
And in a highly-charged five-hour meeting club bigwigs from Scotland’s top flight met at Hampden yesterday to hammer out a list of sanctions, with the possible removal of silverware top of the list.
It was also revealed a decision on whether a newco Rangers will be allowed to re-enter the SPL will now be taken on July 4.
And IF they are allowed to enter the top division an independent commission will decide if it’s the old club or the new club that has a case to answer over EBTs.
A league insider said: “There was plenty on the agenda regarding Rangers at the meeting.
“The EBTs were high up, as was the prospect of letting a newco back in the league.
“It’s not the view of everyone, but one punishment that was definitely talked about was stripping Rangers of their titles.
“To be honest, I’m not sure what good it would do going forward.
“But there is definitely a mood to see the old Rangers have some of their titles taken off them.”
Last night Rangers Supporters Association General Secretary John MacMillan warned fans would be enraged if any of their trophies were taken back.
He said: “It appears the SPL have evidence Rangers have been caught doing the wrong things — that’s what it suggests.
“We’ll have to wait and see what that evidence is of course. It looks a very serious situation “I think the fans would be angry if any trophies were taken away.
“If it’s true it would appear to have been done willingly and the previous regime need to hold their hands up to that.
“Should it not be Sir David Murray they are pulling up? If anything happened it was in his time.”
Andy Kerr, of the Rangers Supporters’ Assembly added: “I would be disappointed if this led to the loss of titles.
“We declared these payments in the annual accounts every year.
“That would not just be turning the clock back it would be turning the screw as well.
“If it is established that there were two contracts then obviously there is an issue there. I would hope that everyone would be put under the same spotlight.”
The move comes after SPL chiefs hired top law firm Harper McLeod to carry out a probe into Rangers’ financial affairs when bosses from HM Revenue and Customs took them to court.
Last night they said Rangers had a ‘prima facie’ case to answer over the EBTs paid to top stars.
A spokeswoman said: “The SPL board heard a report from its solicitors following the investigation into payments to, or for the benefit of, players allegedly made by Rangers FC outside of contract.
“The delay in concluding the investigation was caused by an initial lack of co-operation from Rangers FC.
“The investigation has now been completed and, in the view of the SPL, there is a prima facie case to answer in respect of its rules.
“Disciplinary charges will be brought when the future status of Rangers FC is clarified and prior to the start of season 2012/13.”
Under strict rules clubs must tell the SPL of every payment made to players.
The highest cash payment was £6.3million to ex-owner Sir David Murray, while 63 players and 24 staff are said to have had payouts.
Acccording to figures obtained by BBC Scotland Barry Ferguson got £2.49million, while former boss Alex McLeish got £1.7million and goalkeeper Stefan Klos £2million. Spanish striker Nacho Novo and Dutch ace Ronald De Boer also netted £1.2million each.
Ex-boss Graeme Souness received £30,000 from the trust in 2001 — 10 years after leaving the club.
Lawyers Harper Macleod looked into dealings dating back to the league’s formation in 1998. Rangers have won seven titles since then.
Last night SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster revealed there is NO limit to the sanctions which could be handed out if the EBTs are found to be illegal.
But he admitted the league still didn’t know who would be punished — the old club or new club. He said: “It’s only charges at this point, nothing’s been proven yet.
“The board will have to make a decision on who to prosecute. There are two companies at the moment. The board has already said the proceedings will be taken by an independent commission.
“That will take place when the future status of Rangers has been determined. The sanctions are unlimited. It’s whatever is deemed appropriate if guilt is established.”
Rangers newco club will find out on July 4 if it will be admitted to the Scottish Premier League.
All 12 clubs must vote — including Rangers — with new owner Charles Green needing the backing of eight.
If five or more say no, a First Division side would replace Rangers, who’d likely apply for the vacancy created in Division Three after other clubs have moved up a division.
Tom
treid replying via my phone but seemed to have lost the text.
Snyde still telling the orcs that they will get back in. I had a conversation with a couple yesterday and they still don’t think anything is wrong, they will be allowed back in and be better off..
It has been going on for a few years and they still can’t come to terms with it..
I think I may have fallen out of the wrong side of the bed this morning… o((
Morning all,wee bit of help/advice needed-
Can anybody tell me where I can buy genuine Holy Water without actually going to Lourdes?
Would really appreciate any reply.
The Sun ROBERT THOMSON
FORMER Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness insists the SPL clubs should boot Rangers out of Scotland’s top flight.
And then take steps to end Old Firm dominance of Scottish football.
The former Pittodrie supremo, who was critical of Rangers and Celtic during his tenure for their desire to move to England, said: “Aberdeen and the rest of the teams should think long-term.
“If they bring a newco Rangers in, given all they have done, they’ll damage the credibility of the SPL.
“The way to handle it is to change the voting structure because the Old Firm could block things if they stick together.
“They voted in self-interest and their rivalry was the most important thing.
“Changing the voting structure would allow Scottish football to be more proactive.”
He added: “It’s not all doom and gloom because some teams would only lose one home game against Rangers.
“And I remember having to bring in the riot police when Rangers came — I don’t think any people will miss those sorts of bitter feelings about the game.
“Scottish football won’t die — it will be able to hold its head up high.”
BT –
Thanks.
I wasn’t having a go at you. I genuinely didn’t know how they could be voted in then kicked out again and hadn’t seen that reported.
I understand now.
Thanks.
Morning, this ” Calimero ” press are really beginning to piss me off, me thinks its gonna get a whol lot worse. Have they all had their meeting at the Crossroads?
good piece of writing from Speirs.
echoes what a few on here said over the weekend about thei rdearly departed fathers.
I still try to speak to my dad on a daily basis… if only to hear him moan about the media and the orcs… o))
Lennon n Mc….Mjallby on 19 June, 2012 at 08:27 said
most church stalls will have holy water. where are you based..
Tom
I wasn’t takng it as you having a go mate..
sometimes people take the hump to quickly on here… o))