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!
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ASonOfDan on 18 June, 2012 at 16:41 said:
This is magic!!
Not only are rangers dead, we get to dig up their corpse rob it of body parts and roll what is left into a ditch.
Never in my wildest dreams…
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it will be no dream if newco return right back into the spl and challange for the title with the help of the mibs
Can’t agree with those saying that if they are stripped of titles that the record books should show that they were withdrawn from the huns for cheating.
Those titles are ours and history should reflect that.
hamiltontim
Official Board statement ( which is massive ) hence the extract.
Does anyone think we would ever have reached this point with RFC cheating had it not been for new media?
We would still be getting brainwashed and being accused of extreme paranoia.
Ach well….
Postponement of Walter Smith march and rally After discussions with the police and others it has been decided to delay for the time being this Saturday’s march and rally in support of the Water Smith led consortium.
The enormous numbers showing interest in the event, the geography of Ibrox and the problems of ensuring that any street procession was deemed illegal within the current legal framework has sadly forced the organisers to reconsider.
We will work with the police and others to find the best way for the thousands of Rangers fans who wish to show their feelings a chance to do so safely and in the best of order.
We have discussed this with the consortium and they are totally in agreement with the need to delay in order to allow for proper planning to take place.
This does not, however, in any way diminish our strength of feeling. We would urge Mr Green to step side.
Ron Bacardi on 18 June, 2012 at 17:49:
“even if the oldco is stripped of titles and cups I don’t think the SFA and SPL will transfer them to any other club”
I think you’ll find they will. I really don’t expect any of the clubs who were cheated out of trophies or revenue to just accept the situation.
And given that Davis and Papac were both on EBTs last season, I’d expect Dunfermline to be seeking advice on their position – as the Huns should have been relegated last season.
The Honest Mistake loves being first on 18 June, 2012 at 17:29 said:
What I don’t understand is why the currants aren’t questioning what they have been supporting for the past twenty years. There must be a few decent currants who now realise that rangers are a fraud. Most of their lives have been wasted.———–
I am not sure they understand it. I recently spoke to a Man Utd fan and he thought it was a tax dodge. “so what”
I then suggested the if both Celtic and Rangers were going for a foreign player on a salary of £1m per annum, after tax that would be about 500,000.
That would be the Celtic offer. Rangers could offer say 300,000 taxable and 700,00 EBT or tax free. Ranger wage 850,000.
Who do you sign for?
These figures are not accurate but are representative…………of financial doing.
Ron Bacardi on 18 June, 2012 at 17:49 said:
The thing is, in order for them to be striped of their titles, their results when using ineligible players have to all be converted to 0-3 defeats. Once you take that step you have to then adjust the league table accordingly. And once you do that…
Generally I hate getting ahead of myself, but if Gods spares me til the Spring of 2014, I wonder is it worth contemplating how I and my friends in Celtic might spend some weekend in April or May of that year. Because if things go to plan and we are awarded the five RFCIA tainted titles that were rightfully ours, and the current title count is 49-48 in RFCIA’s favour…then that might be the time we overtake the late, non-lamented RFC and become the first Scottish club ever to win 50 titles….
Paul67
I wish I could swear here but fin brilliant, even the dark forces cannot swerve this one.
mic1888 says no to cheats charter no to zombie r*****s on 18 June, 2012 at 17:53:
Motherwell will not vote for Sevco.
Johna Mackay – “Rangers will find out whether their new incarnation will be allowed to stay in the SPL or whether it will be banished to a lower division.”
How many errors can you fit into one sentence?
Paul67 et al
My only concern with the SPL statement is that it states that the case against Rangers FC (as currently constructed) will be held before the start of next season, or something to that effect. Certainly it would seem, after July 4th, and the decision, by the SPL members on the transfer of the share to a New Company. Now, James Forrest may be correct, in stating that, in these circumstances, there is no way the SPL clubs can now vote for the transfer. However, what if I was to say there is a way, and that is actually voting the proposal through, illogical and irrational though that may seem. Let us assume that they do not vote for the New Company, then that company has nowhere to go, not the SPL and not the SFL. Absolutely nowhere, fast. Where would that leave Rangers FC, assuming it has not been liquidated by July 4th? It would leave them facing both SPL and SFA sanctions. In my view the SFA have Primacy here and should the SPL punish Rangers FC on the basis of the prima facie case, then the SFA, who in effect subcontracted said investigation to the SPL must also address the issue from the perspective of its’ own rules and regulations, to which Rangers FC (as is) will also be in breach. This could involve suspension, or if Rangers FC are liquidated it could lead to the adjournment sine die of any hearing the now defunct club had faced. I personally do not believe Rangers in any form, or under any guise, have any rights to any league, their behaviour has been too egregious, but if I was from the dark side, SFL Division 3 would be looking mighty attractive.
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon on 18 June, 2012 at 18:02:
“Johna Mackay – “Rangers will find out whether their new incarnation will be allowed to stay in the SPL or whether it will be banished to a lower division.”
“How many errors can you fit into one sentence?”
Starting with ‘Johna’? – !!!
Anybody see Third Lanark play?
In years to come those that come after us will ask did you see 1872-2012 play…
Absolutely fantastic day, just watched a spokesperson for the Kilmarnock Supporters Association, in short he said if it was any other Club they would be booted down to the Third Division.
Be gone with them be gone…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
When the huns are found guilty of double contracts and financial doping then they will lose all their league games 3-0
The points can be recalculated and the leagues readjusted
Cups are more difficult as the huns cheated every team they played not just in the final. The cups should therefore be marked as voided through cheating
The huns also fielded ineligible players in UEFA competions so expect more punishment coming from that
Since there were several individuals who held office in either the SPL or SFA or both while knowing about the EBTs ( since people like CO had one himself) – these organisation could be liable for damages by parties who lost out. The biggest loser in financial terms was undoubtedly CFC but many others lost valuable income due to the huns cheating
Even if Scottish clubs might be reluctant to pursue loss of earnings our European friends might be less amenable – expect more UEFA interest
I for one want every single league title that we are due
We played by the rules – as did our players and management teams
Not to take back what they were cheated out of would be an insult to the memory of what they worked so hard for – against huge odds!
Paul – as I’ve asked before – should we get them all at once or over several weeks ?
Personally I would go for the latter
It would add to the home occassions to see our old players and even managers be asked back to unfurl the flags they won!
HH
the huns still don’t get it….
stupid, stupid huns
Paul67 –
“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.”
That is a terrific sentence to read.
I might get it as a tattoo…
I see abstentions mentioned. SPL Articles talk of the various percentages required to carry a vote being that proportion of all members entitled to attend and vote, whether they vote or not.
Sevco needs 8 votes regardless of how many actually vote. A 7 – 0 result with 5 abstentions means no entry.
sing
re The Battered Bunnet @ 1542..
Love the sound of that and it reminds me of the old sixties western “Branded” where the captain has his stripes and badges ripped off and his sword broken in front of the whole parade ground before being cast out of the fort..Maybe we could do the same with them and rip the tainted 5 stars off their manky shirts and smash their trophies and grind their medals into the dirt of Hampden before booing them off the park and out of Scottish football….lovely thought.
Nice to see some others ( che) talking about Coias in Duke St…I don’t get back to Glasgow much these days ( 40 years in London ) but I was home recently and had lunch with some family in there..mince n’ tatties followed by some rather succulent ice-cream..it was quite emotional as my Ma and Da came from Dennistoun and started married life in a single end in Bluevale Street and always spoke fondly of Coias and the Scotia, my Ma told me you could use jeely jars to get in on a saturday morning… anyway back to the meal and the best part of it was that a hun relative,, who had early called Celtic Park the piggery, was quite taken aback when I didn’t refuse his offer to pick up the £170 bill ( 6 of us )and had to ask his wife for some money to pay it…stupid huns..
A bit of a ramble but I don’t post often..
Long post warning
Motherwell Statement in Full.
The Board at Motherwell FC today released the following statement in light of today’s ‘Newco’ application to the SPL by Rangers FC.
“Confirmation has now been received from the SPL that an all club vote on the proposal to transfer Rangers share is scheduled to take place on 4th July. Motherwell FC are in the process of arranging a forum to discuss the issue with supporters of the club. Following that meeting, the board will meet and agree the club’s position and ultimately how we will vote if the meeting takes place as planned.
“The decision will be taken by the Director’s as a group, as the majority shareholding in the club is currently held under a Power of Attorney by Board members, pending the planned staged transfer to the ‘Well Society. No decision has yet been made by the club on the SPL share transfer, as we will only now see the full details of the proposal and be provided with the full information required. Considerable uncertainty on the implications for revenues and costs complicates our decision considerably.
“The Directors would also like to clarify that the comments made by Director Andrew Lapping in a letter to a national newspaper are entirely personal and are not in any way attributable to the club. Mr Lapping has played no active role in the running of the club for many years and is not part of the decision making group.
“The ‘Newco’ issue is often portrayed as a straight choice between preserving sporting integrity and clubs accepting a reduction in gate money together with potentially a significant amount of commercial revenue. In reality it is far more complex than that. We are fully aware that an overwhelming majority of our fans and most others, who have so far expressed an opinion, are totally opposed to ‘Newco’ being allowed immediately back into the SPL.
“The club has been flooded with correspondence from supporters of many clubs which ranges from fully reasoned arguments to direct threats concerning the consequences of a vote either way. Our Board of Directors is predominately made up of lifelong Motherwell supporters and we fully understand that fans are the single most important group within the club. History shows that any business which ignores the wishes of its customer base rarely prospers in the long term.
“In any event it would appear a yes vote may not even guarantee that ‘Newco’ will play in the SPL next season as the club is still subject to SFA sanctions and there is an ongoing investigation into the use of EBTs to make payments to players.
“The consequences of five or more clubs voting no to ‘Newco’ do also need to be understood and fully taken into account. In addition to lower gate receipts, we are likely to lose an as yet un-quantified amount of commercial revenue with a specific risk around TV payments. The clubs’ income from SPL distribution of commercial revenue was approximately 36% of the total amount generated last season, although this does vary year on year. A significant proportion of SPL income is obtained from TV and other broadcasting rights. The lack of clarity on what the actual impact of ‘Newco’ not playing in the SPL will have on these revenues is a major problem for the Board.
“Despite some reports, it is our understanding that Sky/ESPN have made no official statement on how they will react to a no vote and we believe that a number of other contracts could be re-negotiated if ‘Newco’ was refused entry to the SPL. We very much hope that sponsors and partners will continue to provide their backing whatever the outcome of the various ongoing processes.
“The common response to the potential loss of revenue is that clubs need to cut their cloth accordingly. Of course this could be achieved over a period of time, by reducing both on and off the field costs, but it cannot be done overnight. It is vital that we honour player and employee contracts and meet all our other obligations.
“We are in the healthy position of having no debt but have set our cost base in the expectation that income will be at a certain minimum level. In the event of a shortfall we do not have a bank or benefactor able to fund the gap. We clearly do not wish anyone associated with Motherwell, or any other club, to suffer as a result of events in which they played no part. Having been though a painful Administration process many years ago, we are also better placed than most to have sympathy with both the employees and ordinary fans of Rangers who are in no way responsible for the uncertainty they are facing.
“The Directors of any business have a duty to act in the best interests of the company or, in this case, the club. In normal circumstances, decisions are fairly straightforward but in this situation a decision either way is likely to have a significant impact on at least one of our key income streams. It is inevitable that there will be consequences if a business suffers a sudden drop in income. Instead of the usual process of deciding what is best for the club, we are currently faced with trying to decide on which is the least worst option. The stakes here are high.
“There are a number of other knock on impacts to this lack of certainty. Firstly we have temporarily delayed giving the club any access to the ‘Well Society funds. When we launched the Society we made it clear that we would not put the funds raised at risk and that they would be used only to assist with short term funding requirements at the club, when there was a clear source of repayment. In the current circumstances we believe that we can only fully protect the money raised by keeping it entirely ring fenced from the club until the outcome of the ‘Newco’ debate is known and the financial impact understood.
“In addition we will need to adopt a cautious approach to investing in the playing squad. To date we have not changed our previously agreed plans but this could change dramatically in the current weeks. The inability to accurately forecast future income could also impact on the production of our financial accounts.
“By any measure the events at Rangers are having and will continue to have a huge impact on Scottish football. It is our hope that the tax authorities and liquidator will investigate these events fully and are able to take appropriate action against those responsible for causing lasting damage to our national game.
“Whilst we fully understand that the ‘Newco’ issue is one which many people feel strongly about, we hope that our fans now have a better idea of the extremely difficult position the club is in and that you continue to offer support by buying season tickets and, if you have not already done so, joining the Well Society which remains very much part of the club’s plans for the future.
“We can assure you that any funds raised by the Society will remain separate from the club, until the position is clearer, but we remain totally committed to the fan ownership model. Whatever the outcome of the vote on ‘Newco’ it will be more important than ever that our fans stay loyal to the club, as we look forward to our debut in the Champions League, and that our efforts to grow the fanbase continue to be successful.
“On the pitch, these are very good times at Motherwell FC and it is vital that we continue to work together as a club to enable us to emerge from the current SPL difficulties with our integrity and optimism intact.”
Steinreignedsupreme,
Aye, ok. You got me!
I doubt if any Rangers team will playing in any league next year. I have always said that the prevarication in making decisions is the bureaucratic way of death.
Had you sat down and down a project plan to timescales such as the start of the new league season you would be panicking now.
I always thought the timescales were insurmountable for a Newco.
They are now beyond saving.
Aug 4th is only 7 weeks away.
so was it the liquidators who supplied the much delayed information on EBTs? bit of a co-incidence the timing eh?
no why was the info release allegedly delayed by the administrators? anything to do with desperation to do a sale deal? PMSL!!!
this just gets better and better
they are finito! I cant even see the SFL allowing any newclub in now. FINITO I say! FINITO!!!
HH..
Superb news.. Just when I was despairing at King getting air time( why?) and another Murray at the liquidiser, along pops the prima facie..
So in games declared 3-0, would Cascarino have been eligible for any goals?
Who can we award goals to?
Big Artur can have a hat trick in a few..
HH
Surely the NewCo can’t be stripped of league titles etc as they don’t have any?
Anyway, for me it’s expulsion of the old Rangers immediately, therefore no SPL share to transfer either. What would you expect for ten YEARS (maybe more) of cheating? And of course they should be stripped of any ‘honours’ they ‘won’ through illicit means. I’m not even bothered if they get dished out to whoever came second, they’re tainted and I’d be ok with the offending name being removed from the appropriate trophies, and the facts being recorded for ever.
Q: 3, 5, 9, 10 and 11. Why is there no entry against those years on the trophy?
A: Because the side that won it in those years was caught cheating to win them.
Thereafter? Let the police and HMRC deal with whatever’s left of them.
Finally, how C.O. can remain in position at the SFA is beyond my comprehension. Although it’s not just him, the whole organisation is now heavily conflicted.
Hail Hail,
KevinBhoy.
@paullarkin74: Motherwell, a huge victim last season especially, are backing a Newco. You’ve sold your soul and you can never buy it back.
much as I am not keen on Motherwell, their statement really does highlight the utterly shocking impact the former club, formerly known as Rangers has had on all of Scottish football. Absolute disgrace!
no to newclub in ANY league!!
Ever since this started the good stuff has always seemed to happen mid-afternoon, with me caught between work and home.
I still need to think about this as it sounds too good to be true but I can’t help wondering ‘Why now?’
Is it because Doncaster realises he has no place left to hide, or is it to muddy the waters and influence the newco vote?
Lennybhoy…Supporting Neil Lennon and CFC until I die on 18 June, 2012 at 18:05
I’m claiming a live treble, Third Lanark, Airdrie and Rangers and on TV Gretna and maybe Clydebank.
I suppose the time being taken is a form of repenting at leisure…
Celtic should not even entertain taking tickets from any club which votes yes to a Newco.
sparklegirl
just but a few bottles at a time and get them in the fridge early…
Che on 18 June, 2012 at 16:46 said:
*****************************************
Coias the best ice cream in the world, I was born in Carntyne and have enjoyed their produce from an early age.
Although my grannie used to sometimes take me to the Rendezvous across the road from where Coias is now. But Coias ice cream was always far superior
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon on 18 June, 2012 at 18:12:
“Aye, ok. You got me!”
I know where you are coming from through. He has shown his colours fairly clearly recently.
Although he has not been as exposed as Roddy Forsyth – a total disgrace throughout the the final months of the now-liquidated club.
It is essential and it must happen that all cups and league titles are handed over. The teams which lost out by the slenderest of margins were not competing in open,fair and honest competition. The dice was overwhelmingly stacked against those players,especially the first division ones that lost out in cup finals to the Tax and Sporting Cheats.
The Establishment team cheated but the Establishment will ensure that reparation is made. Otherwise Scotland plc is a laughing stock. We may as well cancel the commonwealth games now, if trophies are not awarded to those players who were robbed because of huge financial doping. I salute all teams who won trophies outright during all these years despite the odds stacked against them in the unfair competition with Glasgow Rangers (deceased).
I want to see each Celtic team which has been cheated out of a trophy welcomed on to the pitch at Celtic Part and given a hero’s welcome as flags are raised. Those players ultimately won these “stolen” trophies honestly.
Think not about what you feel or what you want in the history books. Rangers are dead and irrelvant, think about the players who were cheated and who are entitled to receive winners medals.
I only hope that all cheated players of all the teams are alive and in good health to receive their winners medals.
PS loved the idea of selling out Hampden for Rangers to be stripped of their medals.
PPS really looking forward to the new season =6 separate flag days. Excellent.
St.John.Doyle
enjoy the hols..
pity you will miss another great night on Friday…
3-0 to us v them. Give them all where eligible to Burley ………..na Henrik.