We’ll discuss Celtic’s failure to reproduce the kind of performance which humbled Hearts 0-4 at Tynecastle last time we faced them later. For now it’s worth considering what SFA Head of Referee Development, John Fleming, does next.
It’s been a year since he took over the job and whatever his hopes for the calibre of performances when he was appointed, he will surely consider the shambles of referee performances an “affront” (to use one of his words) to standards.
Euan Norris’ performance yesterday was abject. He saw Ian Black go over the ball and plant his studs into the leg of Joe Ledley but awarded only a yellow card. He saw the same player deliberately handle the ball later but awarded only a foul.
The rules on handball could not be clearer. A player must make a deliberate attempt to play the ball with his hand or arm, or to have moved his hand or arm into an unnatural position, before he can be considered to have committed a foul.
This rule is neither new nor unfamiliar. Balls innocuously strike hands and arms in almost every game raising interest only from partisan fans ignorant of the rules. And for the record – if you are slide-tackling, jumping to head or turning your back on a shot, the natural position for your arms are not stationary and by your side. Neither incident late in the game were penalties.
Norris failed on all important calls during the game and is clearly doing the reputation of the SFA, and by implication, Fleming, any good.
No one emerged with any credit after last week’s Charlie Richmond fiasco but Fleming suffered in particular. His briefing to the Daily Record, which simultaneously listed Richmond’s confidential performance statistics, confirmed the impression that Hampden is playing fast and loose with appropriate behaviour.
A wise rector once said, ‘Judge me on my graduates, not my students’. Fleming is working with the population he inherited, but it is his responsibility to improve standards and enhance the reputation of referees. On both counts he is under water.
In a curious twist, Fleming’s predecessor is on stv.tv today comparing Neil Lennon’s reaction to that of Harry Redknapp’s reaction to the referee mistake at one of Chelsea’s five goals yesterday. The Wembley apologised for an “honest mistake”. We’ve yet to hear the same from Norris or Fleming.
Creative writing award of the day goes to STV for this gem:
“Dallas, formerly Scotland’s head of referees before leaving his position following controversy over what was considered an offensive e-mail”.
So it might not have been an offensive email after all. ‘Jokes’ portraying individuals or a group of people as having, or sharing guilt, with one, or a small number of, criminal(s) is fertile ground for prejudice to grow. STV should be clear that it is inappropriate and offensive in the workplace.
We have an outstanding original canvass painting of Neil Lennon available for purchase on eBay to kick start our summer charity fundraising. This year the beneficiaries will be Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Martin Chambers Foundation and The Neuroblastoma Alliance, Aberdour PS PTA, The Haven, Blantyre. The painting, by US based artist, Joseph Gormley, is an outstanding memento of our manager during these times.
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SunnyBhoy on 16 April, 2012 at 13:08 said:
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what was beattie booked for ? was it leaving the feild of play ? or taking his top off ?
both rules get on my diddies mind, and i dont think anyone should be booked for celebrating scoring a goal, but ffs. half the hearts team also left the field of play to take part in the 200m sprint as well
SunnyBhoy at 13:08
“Goal line technology – no pauses in the game, a no brainer.
“If a ‘goal’ is scored a video ref has 1 minute to reverse the decision – if he has any doubts the referee’s decision stands.”
—
What about the Hearts game, for instance – within a minute we’d scored at the other end.
*not*
‘It also emerged that an innocuous marquee used for corporate entertainment at Storm’s home ground played a key role in the scam.’
– mercifully our ole gazebo is free from such nefarious goings on.
Celtic’s record in Cup competitons during the two years of Neil Lennon’s
leadership, is better than any other Scottish Club.
CelticFacts CSC
Where’s the joke, Stokes ?
We’re one nil down in a cup semi and Anthony Stokes seems to find the humour in it whilst warming up alongside Victor Wanyama.
I’ve never been convinced about Stokes and I don’t believe Neil Lennon is either. There’s something missing and I think it’s focus.
Think Trapattoni might agree.
Deekbhoy
“At the end of the day we need to heed Big Jocks comments if you are good enough you do not need to worry about the referee.”
If big Jock did indeed state those words, and I have heard before that he did say something along those lines, then it was one of the few things he got wrong. In no way should ANY team need to be 2 goals better than the opposition before a ball is kicked, in order to compenstae for cheats. If we had seen proper officiating this year we would be on the cusp of a historic treble. The fact we are not is not due to the simple fact a few better players might have got us over the line, but down to the unwritten handicap laws applied in world football to only one team.
*compensate
…..I am Legned
Our favourite player keeps up Rangers reputation in Manchester.
Six men, including footballer El Hadji Diouf, were arrested after a nightclub brawl which left a man seriously hurt.
The Doncaster Rovers striker is understood to be one of five men who were bailed until 23 May following the fight at a Manchester club.
QPR’s Anton Ferdinand is understood to have been interviewed under police caution but not arrested.
A 33-year-old man is seriously ill but stable in hospital, said a Greater Manchester Police spokesman.
nothing without fans on 16 April, 2012 at 13:15 said:
———————–
simple. hearts goal awarded. celtic take centre 1-0 down ( if ball was over the line)
celtic 1-0 if ball wasnt over the line
NL done well this season but I do wonder if, with other manager, we would have done the treble
Thought his posting on twitter was a little naive.
Paul Murray appeared on BBC Scotland’s Your Call with Jim Traynor and Chick Young on Saturday night. Jimbo and Chicko spent a good 20 minutes asking him all manner of questions about his plans for Rangers.
The following is a sample of questions that were not asked by these leading journalists of the Blue Knight himself:
Paul, of the £134M or thereabouts that the Administrators have calculated to be due to creditors, how much is your bid proposing to offer them?
How much of the £134M outstanding to creditors was run up on your watch?
The Sale and Purchase Agreement between MIH and Wavetower states clearly that Rangers received a series of determinations on the use of EBTs from HMRC starting on 28th February 2008, and concluding with a Penalty notice in September 2009. At what point did the Board become aware that there might be a problem?
In the 3 years that you were a Director of Rangers, why was no attempt made to protect the club from the severe risk presented by the EBT Tax Liability?
Given that his publication Follow Follow was banned from sale at Ibrox for presenting extreme sectarian views, why have you recruited Mark Dingwall into your consortium? Isn’t it time the club left its old unpleasant baggage behind?
How much of your own money are you proposing to invest in Rangers? And how much other peoples’ money are you using?
If the club paid its tax debts in full, Scotland would be able to afford a new modern hospital on a larger scale than £83M Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride. At a time of shrinking public expenditure, why is it more important to save Rangers than to save lives?
Would have been a helluva interview IMO…
Tell you what, I’m not convinced by the Omnipresent Pat Nevin!
Back to lurking.
Paul67
What else did we expect after Gollum came out the other week and made out he was a superstar.
Ref was shocking, but so was our finishing in front of goal.
HH
I think the first time I saw the comment regarding more goals was it being attributed to James Kelly by Sir Robert in his book “Celtic”. He went on to say that his father and Willie Maley agreed that they would only congratulate Rankers if they won the league by a minimum of 10 points, as that was the advantage they believed the hun enjoyed without a ball being kicked.
So the ten point deduction only makes it a level playing field anyway! How prophetic were James Kelly and Willie MAley!
ggh
What the papers wont tell you:
http://maleysbhoys.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=celticchat&thread=566
The Omnipresent Pat Nevin on 16 April, 2012 at 13:19 said:
Where’s the joke, Stokes
__________________
That post might suggest that the real Pat Nevin had made it.
How can you find fault with Stokes for cracking a joke with a team-mate as they get ready for the fray.
Would you sooner see him weeping ?
For God’s sake, football is supposed to be fun & the guys who do it should be enjoying themselves.
Lighten up.
Lawyer who advised on Rangers FC takeover takes role at Segens
11 April 2012 | By Katy Dowell
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Former Collyer Bristow partner Gary Withey, who advised businessman Craig Whyte on his takeover of Rangers Football Club, has emerged as a consultant at City boutique Segens Solicitors.
Withey quit Collyer Bristow amid controversy last month after the football club was put into administration (5 March 2012). Rangers FC administrators Duff and Phelps said Withey was crucial to the understanding of deals done following the club’s ill-fated takeover by Whyte.
Collyer Bristow said he left the firm at the beginning of March for “family and personal reasons” despite questions raised about his role as Rangers company sectary.
Withey told The Lawyer that he is “just helping out” at Segens where, according to the Law Society, he is registered as a consultant. Segens senior partner Michael Segen added: “I’ve known Gary for many years and value his corporate expertise. I’m sure Gary will be a very valuable asset to this practice.”
Duff and Phelps has until Monday to file any alleged claims for professional negligence and breach of fiduciary duty against Collyer Bristow at the High Court (30 March 2012). Withey said he knew “nothing about” the case and was not intending to be in court.
Last month Duff and Phelps successfully applied to the High Court to transfer £3.6m of client money from Collyer Bristow to Taylor Wessing, which is acting for the administrators. Restructuring partner Nick Moser and Mark Phillips QC and Daniel Bayfield at South Square Chambers made the High Court application.
Three Verulam Buildings (3VB) will today ’vigorously contest’ claims of professional negligence on behalf of Collyer Bristow’s role in the Rangers FC administration.
The firm has instructed Clyde & Co partner Richard Harrison and senior associate Nicole McKinnon to fight the action brought by the club’s administrators, Duff & Phelps partners Paul Clark and David Whitehouse.
Clydes has called on 3VB counsel Cyril Kinsky QC and Matthew Hardwick, who will go up against South Square Chambers’ Mark Phillips QC and Mark Bayfield at the High Court this morning. The latter two were instructed by Taylor Wessing restructuring partner Nick Moser.
The Lawyer understands that Collyer Bristow does not contest any claim to the £3.6m of client money that was transferred out of the firm and into Taylor Wessing for safekeeping last month. There is a dispute about who can access the money between the UK tax authorities, a pension fund and Duff & Phelps, which are all claiming a share.
Proceedings were adjourned last month so that wider claims against Collyer Bristow could be brought. The details of these claims will be revealed in court today but are believed to be substantially larger claims relating to alleged professional negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.
Collyer Bristow business development director Paul Newhall said the firm will “robustly defend” any further claims.
Former Collyer Bristow partner Gary Withey last week distanced himself from the ongoing legal action and told The Lawyer he would not be appearing in court today (11 April 2012).
The London-based firm advised businessman Craig Whyte in the takeover of the historic Scottish club. Withey was named as Rangers secretary following Whyte’s £1 buyout.
LivornoBhoy,
I dared to doubt the qualities of one who ( sometimes ) wears the hoops.
I must be a hun.
The Battered Bunnet on 16 April, 2012 at 13:27 said
You forgot the question
Were your salary pay rises also paid into an offshore trust like Martin Bain, John Grieg and John Mc Lelland ? ;-)
Hail Hail
Still very disappointed about yesterdays result. The last 3 big games (huns,killie,hearts) shocking decisions have went against us. I dont buy into this mythical level playing field we keep hearing of and neither do the referees.
Norris was always one to watch (4 pens in his first 3 huns games).
Meanwhile as the authorities try to slip the huns straight back into the SPL the MIB have certainly stepped upto the plate. Where do we go from here,anyone
Boys think about it, why do you think STV gave Dallas airtime ?
The dye was cast because Celtic had the temerity to equalise. The ball was punted up the field pretty soon after our goal and was met with a header from one of our defenders – an opportunity to give Hearts a free-kick into our box.
An opportunity that was taken with glee by the referee. I’d like to see that ‘offence’ again.
Árd Macha
enmac, a bampot stands shoulder to shoulder with Neil Lennon at 13:22
So any time there was a close call (and I doubt it would stop with goal-line decisions) the game would carry on for 60 seconds in a sort of limbo with players wondering if the game would be called back.
If it makes any sense at all, there needs to be a break in play, called by the referee or the video referee.
traditionalist88 on 16 April, 2012 at 13:28 said:
Another reason for hoping they get humped in the final. Very depressing.
While the performance yesterday was poor and chances were missed, the game was gifted to Hearts by blatant cheating. It’s very hard to accept that.
Unless Celtic destroy the opposition like Kilmarnock the week before, the refs will attempt to influence the result. It’s hard enough to win every week, let alone romp every game.
Regaining some perspective today, we would all have accepted Celtic as champions and never mind the cups at the start of the season. That’s been achieved in style.
We should also bear in mind that we have been missing some of our best players (Kayal, Forrest), victims of permitted on park thuggery, that’s also contributed to failing to complete the treble. We have the core of a good team now. Let’s hope we get the additions we need in the summer to make the Champions League.
Glenn Loovens can spend 90 minutes ‘in a sort of limbo’, although to the ole sect114 diehards it’s more like purgatory.
The Omnipresent Pat Nevin at 13:31
Have you ever got anything positive to say about Celtic or our manager?
Just asking.
TBB – Or “What makes him think he will be allowed to sit on the board of RFC as he falls foul of the Fit and Proper person rules due to be ing a director of a club that suffered an insolvency event?”
Didn’t forget about that one Awe Naw. I left it just for you.
Rogue
Declan is fit and proper according to the SFA rules, and if he’s not, whit you gonnae dae aboot it cheef?
TEAM FOR SUNDAY (And 4 matches
after that): N/A (Take your 5 remaining games and your 15 points and your 0-3 results and shove them- we’re resigning)
Paul
Glad you’ve focussed on the only (current) issue from yesterday’s latest sham.
Quite simply, the referee’s performance was a disgrace. Cheating, nothing more, nothing less!
The club should make a statement, prior to the SFA throwing the book at our manager, demanding an improvement in refereeing standards which will include public accountability.
And to those who criticise our manager’s actions, I can only say that I’m glad we have someone who demands fair play for my team and won’t, despite his hateful treatment by the majority of people in Scotland, be bullied into licksptittle obedience.
Regardless, I would prefer that we leave this sectarian cesspit to play elsewhere…any where!
I’m fed up feeling cheated at the end of important games!
One Neil Lennon
RANGERS’ fans have accused administrators of jeopardising the future of the club.
Supporters claim Duff & Phelps have held up the administration process by refusing to name a preferred bidder for the club.
A statement released by three supporters’ groups said fans had been patient during difficult times but were tired of waiting.
Fans believe a delay in naming the preferred bidder is forcing Rangers closer to liquidation.
The statement, from the Rangers’ Supporters Assembly, Supporters’ Association and Supporters’ Trust, read: “The delay in the administrators announcing the preferred bidder is seriously jeopardising our chances of exiting administration quickly and is forcing us closer to liquidation.
“With the proposed SPL rule changes meaning we may not be competing on an equal footing for the next two seasons, it is imperative we have the chance to exit administration with a Company Voluntary Agreement and that has to happen as soon as possible.
“We demand the administrators announce the preferred bidder as a matter of urgency.”
But joint administrator Paul Clark rejected claims Duff & Phelps were unnecessarily holding up the sale process. He said it was due to the SPL’s rule change proposals.
He added: “While bidders wish to remain at the table, all of them attached conditions to their bids which included access to the football authorities.”
The three bidders for the club are Paul Murray’s Blue Knights consortium, a Singapore-based group headed by Bill Ng and American businessman Bill Miller.
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So the bidders will be given access to the football authorities or not ?
Shouldn´t Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster publicly slap this down ?
I know that they are all meeting anyway but surely at least the illusion that they are not should be maintained.
Shouldn´t we be asking for a public statement from the two mots important men in Scottish football … yeah I know it is worrying …. the calibre that has been brought in to oversee this.
Hail Hail
Hugh Dallas has just handed Celtic an open goal opportunity……His crass and hypocritical comments will surely be volleyed by the Club.
Here’s my suggestion
“Celtic FC deplore the comments made by Hugh Dallas regarding the semi final against Hearts . Those comments are hypocritical in the extreme, having been made by an individual who brought shame on Scottish Football with his own actions, which resulted in his resignation from his position within the SFA.”
I am delighted that Lenny has won this most important of league titles. It’s a real GIRUY to the huns, mibs, msm et al. However, I don’t think it’s wise for him to be running onto the pitch to confront the refs. Not because of so called “dignity” or “class” or other rubbish I’ve heard mentioned (he has carried himself impeccably when you take into account his trials and tribulations the last couple of years) but because I think it’s not clever. I would much prefer to see him hold his tongue until being out of shot of the cameras and preferably just plotting his revenge with a cold, steely silence. In a way his actions played into their hands yesterday, it was all too predictable. A few well chosen words in a post match interview would be better. “do you genuinely think it was a penalty?” or “do you think it was just another honest mistake” to the interviewer leaving them to answer his questions.
I’d like to see him getting smarter as it would drive THEM mad whilst he continues to lift the trophies.
Stupid, trophyless huns.