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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TRADITIONALIST 1888 1328
FFS,even I’m shocked by that,and I thought I’d seen a lot.
I’m willing to bet these idiots were bragging about their actions as the beer flowed down their necks later on.
There really is no excuse for that,and frankly,no amount of re-education is likely to work.
The worrying thing is that,as we all have seen,they will pass on this irrational hatred to their own unfortunate children,and the cycle will continue.
Sometimes,just sometimes,I genuinely despair for my country.
And sometimes,just sometimes,I’m glad I no longer live there.
oglach on 16 April, 15:05
He’s still on and will literally have the evidence to hand.
Livibhoy
Balance of Probabilities
16/04/2012 166 Comments
As we wait (impatiently) for the First Tier Tribunal (Tax) to report its findings on the legality of how the EBT used by Rangers was operated, it might be of interest to discuss some common misunderstandings about the legal processes that will determine the outcome.
The case that will seal Rangers’ fate is governed by Scottish civil procedure. Years of our lives wasted watching television has armed most of us with a basic understanding of criminal procedure- concepts like “innocent until proven guilty” are infused throughout popular culture. However, civil courts have very different rules.
Rangers FC have been accused by HMRC of operating an illegal tax avoidance scheme (see link for common myth about avoidance). Following a long investigation, in early 2010 Rangers were sent a number of assessments (tax bills). Rangers appealed them. In the several tribunal hearings that followed, evidence was presented by both sides and now it is for three judges to establish whether or not Rangers pursued an illegal scheme for more than a decade. I have heard lots of people (including Scottish journalists) make the mistake of assuming that “Rangers are innocent until proven guilty“. They are not. The standard for determining the outcome of a civil tribunal is the balance of probabilities. It is simply a question of whether it is more likely than not that Rangers’ were using the EBT as sham to pay money to players and executives on which they should have deducted income tax and national insurance.
In this case, it seems that the Rangers’ directors, and MIH staff in charge of running the scheme did not understand this distinction. Much of their behaviour appears to betray a sense that all they had to do was establish “reasonable doubt” to avoid getting in trouble. Currently, within Edinburgh’s golf club circuit, there is a widely held view that Rangers will be held accountable for some tax liability, but that the quantum will not be anything close to the huge assessments presented by HMRC. People close to Sir David Murray acknowledge that there was some sloppiness with regards record keeping in specific cases. They seem to think that the resulting tax bill will be limited to these “one-off” errors- situations where there is no doubt that a contractual obligation was paid through the EBT.
However, the standard for determining the outcome of a tax tribunal is the balance of probabilities. If there is a significant volume of such transactions, the entire scheme can be judged to be a sham.
What determines whether there are enough illegal payments to cast the entire scheme as a sham? It will not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt or any of the other concepts burned deep in the minds of TV crime series viewers. There simply comes a point where there is so much evidence that it is clear that someone is “at it”. I expect that Rangers will be held by the judges to have been “at it”. If (or when) that happens, the real fireworks will begin.
Assuming that Rangers’ actions of the last decade are officially deemed illegal, Scottish football authorities will face the greatest moral dilemma in the history of our game. If I am correct, it is likely that the following facts will soon be firmly established:
■Rangers provided many players with second contracts in violation of SFA rules
■The provisions within these second contracts were in violation of the law of the land
■Rangers fielded players whom they could not have afforded without resorting to illegality
Under these conditions, the debate about ‘helicoptering’ a newco into the SPL to replace Rangers FC would surely change. The idea of transferring the last decade of Rangers’ history to a new company would be like asking for a toxic waste dump to be moved beside your house.
I have developed a genuine empathy for the many decent (but largely silent) Rangers fans whose beloved club has been ravaged by Sir David Murray and his hand-picked lickspittles. Much of what has been revealed on this blog in the last year serves the common good of all Scottish football fans. However, I expect that whatever common ground exists will open into a chasm over the subject of what the SFA & SPL should do about the recent history of their club.
22 May 2005- is a cherished memory for all Rangers fans. Rangers beat Hibs at Easter Road to clinch the SPL title. Neil Doncaster needs to ask: “How many members of the Rangers squad that day were, or would become, beneficiaries of the EBT scheme?” (Let me help him out- it will be a lot easier to count those who did not participate). The truth is that many of the Rangers squad would not have been anywhere near Easter Road that day without the use of the EBT scheme. If the EBT scheme is deemed to be illegal, the SFA and the SPL cannot pretend that the second contracts held by the vast majority of the Rangers’ first team players during the middle of the last decade were just a procedural transgression of no material impact. On the balance of probabilities would Rangers have been crowned Scottish Premier League champions that day without the use of the EBT scheme?
The future value of winning a championship in Scottish football is in the hands of Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster. They will face intense pressure from those close to the old regime at Ibrox- and their friends in the media- to sweep these issues under the carpet. That would be a huge mistake.
The findings were handed down at a press conference at News Limited headquarters in Sydney this morning after a two-month forensic investigation conducted by independent accounting firm Deloitte.
I want one of these
http://rangerstaxcase.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/balance-of-probabilities/comment-page-4/#comment-80323
ScotPatsFan
I was at that game. Think Donnelly played for the Hoops that night. He shone too.
Tom Grant was standing near us in the enclosure. I used to attend a lot of youth matches. We have let some good players slip through the net!
Som mes que un club on 16 April, 2012 at 15:14 said:
Thanks
LB
ALASDAIR MCLEAN 1403
Almost 100% billocks,excuse the typo.
If that’s the best you can do,either get back to lurking,or post under your normal moniker.
Not going down the old road again, we know for some reason rangers seem never to be on the receiving end if such atrocious decision. These are not events , these are clear PATTERNS suspiciously hurting one team and considered outside of the norm of football officiating worldwide.
Next home game – Every Celtic fan should wear BLACK and hold a red card, this would be phenomenal !!
Very knowledgeable source advising me that the Ratners are being held open in order that Sky do not reduce the amount paid this season, anyone got anything else on this?
Celtic are due to play Hertz before they meet Hibs in the Cup final.
We have won the league already.
What’s to stop us fielding a team of ” combative” players to give the minis some of their own medicine for a change?
I think that Black in particular should be the focus of attention.
JOE FILLIPIS HAIRCUT. what gives u the right to say im not a celtic man. i have been at more games home and away than you ,an armchair supporter like a lot on here, You go on about the treatment neil lennon gets, well whaoductt about me and thousands like us who go and watch an average side and management team .and what are we suppose to do take it , no i dont think so. take the blinkers off watch the product thats been served up.its not very good is it,
timbhoy2
You are not a Celtic man.
There. I said it 2.
Big Nan, I think this copy and paste covers the part where you said we were outplayed, even that Lenny was outsmarted!
“Yesterday was different because though our team was outplayed form much of the game and our young manager was outsmarted by a much more experienced coach we were still in it.”
Green Lantern
I doubt Hearts would risk any of their main players that day, just in case we do wish to exact some revenge.
2nd point – who are these combatitive players we can send out to kick people, all our players are of the skillful rather than hacking style.
Mort
Mort have we only had 4 pens this season ?
Green Lantern (((((0))))) on 16 April, 2012 at 15:20 said:
”Celtic are due to play Hertz before they meet Hibs in the Cup final.
We have won the league already.
What’s to stop us fielding a team of ” combative” players to give the minis some of their own medicine for a change?”
Yeah, good idea.
We could also break into their dressing room and put itching powder in their underpants.
That’ll learn them.
hen1rik
In the SPL anyway. Moreso, we have only scored one of those.
Mort
hen1rik on 16 April, 2012 at 15:24 said:
Mort have we only had 4 pens this season ?
I was thinking that myself. Did we not miss a good few pens before Broonie started doing the Broonie after converting a few?
Looking forward to hearing Alex Thompson on Snyde tonight. Hopefully a few orcs show themselves up by trying to verbally take him on.
Stupid huns. You’re history is about to vanish in a puff of smoke. Decades of the brown brogue cheating, whilst manipulating the fat, tattooed hordes is about to come back and close you down forever.
A short sighted dose of joy over crooked decisions on the pitch is not going to stop you being obliterated. Best you focus on your own predicament, absorb yourself in the inevitability of liquidation as the yoke of debt that represents the GDP of a small country wipes you out.
Once you are an irrelevance, debate about the performance of a particular MIB is all you are going to have. Its not like you will have a team to bump your gums over, is it? Stupid huns.
Timbhoy2 …….. Stop watching rankers then
Anyone know for sure what time Alextomo is on Snyde tonight?
BMCUW – If memory serves Alasdair McLean has posted here for a while now & has never hidden his allegiance to Ross County.
Doesn’t mean I agree with his comments though.
BobbyRussell on 16 April, 2012 at 15:28 said:
7pm mate.
The entire top 6 (excluding RFCIA) can still play in Europe next year…
Personally, I would love to dish out a beating to Linfield…
With the Scottish Cup finalists and settled, and the top 6 in the SPL decided, we are now closer to knowing which clubs will represent Scotland in Europe next season. Rangers will not be granted a UEFA licence to take part because they were in administration beyond the deadline, so they are not eligible to participate. The only clubs who are still able to qualify for Europe are Celtic (already qualified), Motherwell, St Johnstone, Dundee Utd, Hearts and Hibs. Only one of them will miss out.
Champions League
Which teams qualify?
Scotland will have two entrants in next season’s Champions League. The allocation of these two places is simple – they will go to the two highest placed clubs in the SPL who are eligible to compete in Europe.
Celtic have already guaranteed their place by winning the SPL title. The second spot will go to the 2nd or 3rd placed SPL club, depending on where Rangers finish. Motherwell, St Johnstone, Dundee United and Hearts are all still able to qualify.
Which round will they enter?
Both representatives will enter the competition at the 3rd Qualifying Round, and will have to win two ties to reach the group stage.
Celtic will have an easier route – they will only play the champions of other smaller nations. In the 3rd Qualifying Round they could face the champions of countries ranging from Switzerland or Israel right down to Northern Ireland and Wales. Seeding would make one of the latter seem more likely. In the Play-off Round, the most difficult opposition they could face would be the champions of Belgium or Romania, but again seeding might keep them apart from these sides.
The other entrant will face non-champions from larger countries and will find it very tough to qualify. In the 3rd Qualifying Round they could face the 3rd placed team from Portugal or the runners-up from Russia, Ukraine or the Netherlands. The most beatable opposition would probably be the Danish or Belgian runners-up, but seeding would most likely prevent them from facing any of these sides. If they progressed to the play-off stage, they could meet the 4th placed sides from England, Spain or Germany.
If either team loses their 3rd Qualifying Round tie, they would be parachuted into the Europa League at the Play-off Round. If either team loses their Champions Play-off Round tie, they would drop down into the Europa League Group Stage.
When are their matches?
The 2012/13 Champions League starts on 3rd July 2012 – two days after the final of Euro 2012. Scottish teams don’t quite enter that early, but will play their first matches before the start of the SPL season.
3rd qualifying round – 30th July/1st August & 7th/8th August
Play-off round – 21st/22nd August & 28th/29th August
Group stage – 18th/19th September, 2nd/3rd October, 23rd/24th October, 6th/7th November, 20th/21st November, 4th/5th December.
Europa League
Which teams qualify?
The Europa League places are slightly more complicated. There are 3 places available.
The 4th and 5th placed clubs in the SPL are guaranteed a Europa League spot. 6th may or may not be enough to qualify depending on what happens in the Scottish Cup final (and where Hearts finish if they win it).
If Hibs win the Scottish Cup
Hibs will enter the Europa League along with the 4th and 5th placed SPL sides. They will enter at the following stages of the competition.
Hibs – Play-off Round
4th in SPL – 3rd Qualifying Round
5th in SPL – 2nd Qualifying Round
If Hearts finish 2nd/3rd in the SPL and win the Scottish Cup
Hearts will qualify for the Champions League if they finish 2nd or 3rd. If a Champions League qualifying team wins the Scottish Cup, then the runners-up get into Europe as the cup representatives. That would mean that Hibs would qualify for Europe.
4th in SPL – Play-off Round
5th in SPL – 3rd Qualifying Round
Hibs – 2nd Qualifying Round
If Hearts finish 4th-6th in SPL and win the Scottish Cup
Even if they also qualify for Europe via the league, Hearts will officially be considered to be the cup representatives in the Europa League. As a result, the cup runners-up would not get a place in Europe, and it would instead go to the next placed side in the SPL. This would mean that all the clubs (except Rangers) in the top 6 would qualify for Europe.
Hearts – Play-off Round
4th in SPL (5th if Hearts finish 4th) – 3rd Qualifying Round
5th in SPL (or 6th if Hearts finish 4th/5th) – 2nd Qualifying Round
When are their matches?
The earliest entrant will play their first European match on 19th July, two and a half weeks before the start of the SPL season.
2nd Qualifying Round – 19th July & 26th July
3rd Qualifying Round – 2nd August & 9th August
Play-off Round – 23rd August & 30th August
Group Stage – 20th September, 4th October, 25th October, 8th November, 22nd November, 6th/13th December
whats the chances of the farts being liquidated before the cup final :o)
BobbyRussell, hen1rik
Those were only SPL games.
other games, we scored a pen against Udinese (Ki) and \o/ scored against Falkirk (Lg Cup), ICT and Dundee Utd (Sco Cup).
Our SPL pen was against Rangers.
The ones we missed were Hibs (Hooper), St Johnstone (Commons) and Dunfermline (Ki).
Mort
Amazing stuff from Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan on the RTC site. A must read.
You couldn’t make it up.
Excellent article Paul.
As for the real Tims on here posting criticizing Lenny, better left for another time eh? The gutter Hootsmon media doesn’t need your help in demonizing him. I’m not advocating not having your say, just keep it for a blether in the pub, not on a public forum that is read by huns, the gutter media and the public at large.
My dearly departed uncle said to me once: “son, there are two things you dinnae speak ill of in public, one is your marriage and the other is a love of Celtic. The two are hard enough tae manage without giving others the chance tae meddle”.
Thanks for the answers, guys, will take my tranny to the pub.
(well he/she likes a wee drink)
Serenity on 16 April, 2012 at 15:34
Just read it myself. Hunbelievable!
LB
I’ve watched the Hooper goal many times and can’t see how he could be called offside. His hand may be in advance of the last defender but that doesn’t count. For me he is level and therefore onside.
I’ve also watched the Hearts “penalty” many times and still can’t believe it was given. Wanyama does not know where the ball is as it deflects off Ledley. His arm is moving downwards before the ball comes towards him and its path doesn’t alter. I can’t see any way this can be deemed as a deliberate handball.
Similarly the one just after here the ball hits Webster’s arm after coming off his body is never a penalty.
gordon_j
‘Similarly the one just after here the ball hits Webster’s arm after coming off his body is never a penalty.’
But you can believe why that one wasn’t given.
DICK BYRNE
I’m well aware that he is a longtime,though occasional,poster.
Thanks all the same.
I stand by my comments,and my point is clear.
Frankly,I’m unsure what yours is,apart from the obvious that you have yet to make a single comment about one of mine which is not censorious.
Stiil,stranger things have happened…….
By Roddy Forsyth
The Celtic boss, with three disciplinary cases pending, two of which will be heard by the SFA’s judiciary panel on Thursday, is in trouble again after yesterday’s confrontation with referee Euan Norris in the aftermath of his side’s 2-1 William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Hearts at Hampden.
Lennon was livid that Norris had awarded the Hearts a controversial last-gasp penalty when a shot from Jambos skipper Marius Zaliukas hit the arm of Joe Ledley before brushing the hand of Victor Wanyama, and was further enraged when the official refused Celtic a penalty in injury time when the ball appeared to come off the arm of Hearts defender Andy Webster.
The Northern Irishman is likely be in more trouble after a comment made on his Twitter account after the match.
Lennon tweeted: “Referee told players he thought (Victor) Wanyama handled…feel so sorry for players and fans..I think it’s personal myself.”
He left himself open to further and perhaps more serious sanctions when he later re-tweeted a comment from Celtic supporter @DazDiCanio which suggested the club: “pack our bags and get out of this league that is run by crooked £SFA officials”.
However, Lennon will have to wait until the SFA’s compliance officer, Vince Lunny, reviews Norris’ report, which is likely also to include the discussion the official had with Lennon in the referee’s room after the game, along with television footage and the former Celtic skipper’s social network comments.
That will be put on the backburner until the SFA’s judiciary panel first deals with Rangers and owner Craig Whyte and two of Lennon’s current cases.
The SFA have charged the administration-hit Ibrox club and Whyte with seven breaches of its rules and that case is set to be heard tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday.
The Govan club is charged with five offences, including failing to abide by SFA regulations over the ‘fit and proper person’s test, and Whyte, ruled unfit by the SFA to be a club official, with two more.
Lennon will appear before the judicial panel on Thursday where he will contest two charges relating to criticism of referee Willie Collum after the Scottish Communities League Cup final defeat to Kilmarnock and his half-time dismissal by referee Calum Murray during the recent 3-2 SPL defeat by Old Firm rivals Rangers at Ibrox.
Lennon was written to by Lunny demanding an explanation for his comments about referees ahead of an SPL game against St Johnstone at Celtic Park at the start of the month, but Lunny will review any response before acting.
However, despite Hearts setting up a Scottish Cup final meeting with Edinburgh rivals Hibernian for the first time since 1896, Lennon’s post-match behaviour has captured much of today’s spotlight.
Hugh Dallas believes the Celtic manager went too too far to “bully” Norris.
Dallas, formerly head of referee development at the Scottish Football Association before leaving his position following controversy over what was considered an offensive e-mail, reckons Lennon’s behaviour did little for the reputation of the game in Scotland.
“I can’t remember in 25 years of refereeing seeing a manager run that far onto a pitch to bully a referee,” Dallas told STV.
“These pictures are going around the world and it is not good.”
Dallas believes Lennon would do well to take note of Tottenham counterpart Harry Redknapp’s reaction to the controversial goal awarded to Chelsea yesterday in their 5-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat at Wembley.
“Take another example yesterday in the Tottenham Hotspur game,” Dallas added. ‘
‘It was a huge occasion and a goal was given where the ball didn’t cross the line.
“After the game, Harry Redknapp said he had a chat with the referee, who admitted he made an honest mistake.
“Redknapp said he was disappointed but was keen to move on. That’s how we should do it in Scotland.”
John McKendrick, chairman of the SSFRA (Scottish Senior Football Referees Association) was reluctant to comment on yesterday’s events at Hampden as it is a “live case” but he told Press Association Sport: “There are no concerns just now about the backing the referees are getting from the SFA and we get 100% backing from the SFA’s referee development department.
“We have faith in the new and robust (disciplinary) system and we are sure the right decisions will be reached.”
Things People Say…..
“Winning the League is the Big Kahunna.. ”
“Winning the League is the Premier Prize.”
“We must Win the League,fur that is the Road tae Riches.”
Hmmmmmmmm…
So..
We won the Flamin’ Thing!
So
“Is Everybuddy Happeeeeeeeeeeee???”
Hmmmmmmmmmm
“Nae Way.. Hosay!”
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
Me?
Ah gotta think aboot that, afore Ah gie ye an Answer.
Wan Haun Shoots Up..
Yes?
Ah’m Happy, Mister! Allows, Virginia.
“You? Widdya You Know.. Ye’r only a Goil!
Wait a minute..
Ah hiv thought Aboot it..
And noo that Ah hiv…
Well…. Ah am Happy, Tae!
“That’s Absoid.. Ye canny Possibly be Happy!
We jist Loast a Cup. SEMI-FINAL. fur Guidness Sake!”
So? We Still Won the League?
Right?
Damned Right!
Kojo
Still Laughin’
BMCUWP – you haven’t lived until you have had to face the wrath of ole Dick.
Alastair Mclean was never the same after Dick said ‘Ice Station Zebra’ was completely implausible as no zebra could survive in those hostile temperatures, unlike the might y musk ox, who thrive on adversity.
Dean Saunders,Doncaster Manager on SSNews,bemoaning the penalties awarded against them on Saturday,said on watching yesterday’s games,it’s a wider problem.” I watched the Celtic game,never a penalty…..Man Ure never a penalty….”