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You are at:»»Regan and SFA deserve credit

Regan and SFA deserve credit

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Since Stewart Regan’s letter to the 93 SFA member clubs was uncovered by STV yesterday evening I’ve read what feels to me like unfounded concern at the news.  Regan asked clubs to declare “any written agreement(s) falling within the scope of Article 12.3 which has/have not previously been lodged with the Scottish FA in the previous ten years, in respect of any current or former players of your club.”

The most pleasing point is that the letter was dated 9 March.   A look at the chronology of events is perhaps useful.

Rangers troubles with HMRC have been public knowledge since 2010 but it was only on 22 February this year that questions were first raised (here, of course) as to whether the club registered the Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) payments with the SFA.  Everyone knew Rangers players had EBTs, we knew HMRC were contesting that these should be taxed, but there was no reason to believe Rangers did not to declare them to the SFA (unless you count the “sniff test” on Sir David…).

The EBTs were noted in Rangers audited accounts so it appears clear that Rangers at least notionally believed they were both legal (which they were) and legally executed (which we will soon find out).  When we took a shot in the dark on 22 February and posed the registration question, there was no reason to assume the SFA board had even considered the issue.  I’m sure they hadn’t and like the rest of us, were caught cold by the question.

Earlier that day the SFA announced an inquiry into Rangers headed by Lord Nimmo Smith.  His report was considered by the board on 8 March, when they presumably decided to send letters out to the member clubs the next day.  In short, this issue has been active at the SFA every day since it was first raised.

Had we known this at the time I suspect our view of the (apparent) SFA inactivity would have been different.  Maybe a PR lesson there.

Several friends and one brother have suggested that Stewart Regan’s letter is a prelude to an amnesty.  I doubt this.  The SFA chief exec does not have the authority to offer an amnesty and in his letter Regan says, “the Scottish FA reserves the right to refer any Club to the Compliance Officer, which might result in proceedings before the Judicial Panel”.

The letter is an attempt to establish if the problem is prevalent in one, or more than one club, a perfectly reasonable step at this stage. I’m guessing around 90 clubs will be able to respond within minutes.

As a result of this letter, the phoney war is over.  Comments like “there were no double contracts” can no longer be reported as though they have some validity to questions over unregistered payments to players.  Even those reporting from the back of the class will now have to recognise the validity of the questions we have been asking for weeks.

More on the nature of these questions later, specifically, is it cheating?

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  1. notafanofstan on

    So they are pushing red and black scarves through the official website under the guise of Govan colours.

     

     

    They know what they are ‘up to’.

  2. praecepta on

    setting free the bears on 21 March, 2012 at 20:41 said:

     

    IF praecepta or any other Quuens Park Cafe people are on?

     

     

    Following the game on Sunday, I caught sight of one of the pics on the QPC wall of Jock and Sean Fallon visiting a crocked opposition player in hospital. It looked like it may have been the badge of Uruguay’s Nacional FC whom we played but I was not sure.

     

    _______________________

     

     

    Not sure – know the pictures – will check it out at weekend.

  3. dannysbeard on

    Wee Jimmy said to his wife “Im getting a terrible burning sensation in ma bahookie every time I sit doon hen and Ive no idea what it is”

     

    Wee Annie says “ring sting Jimmy”

     

    so Jimmy says “what the f****s he gonny know about it?”

  4. Marrakesh Express on

    Once again Keevins decides its a safer option to drag us into the gutter with the huns. This spineless journo had another chance on Snyde tonight, to condemn the hun support at Tannadice for their vile songs about Andy Walker’s wife. He knows fine well that they have a sick, shameless songbook, many of which are banned. He also knows Celtic have a repertoire of great club songs like HH, YNWA, Athenrye, Wullie Maley and many more. There can be no comparison, just as the respective supports are worlds apart. But not for Keevins. As far as he’s concerned its your standard laptop loyal balancing act just in case his masonic boss gets upset and cuts off one of his incomes. When the actual point was put to Keevins by a caller, he managed to answer it without even mentioning the word Rangers.

     

     

    I’ve went on about this troublemaker for ages now and I decided to cut him off last year. I tuned in again when the hun scandal arose, and enjoyed listening to Terry and a few others tearing him, King and Guidi a new one. After tonight I’m off it again, hopefully for good this time. If there’s one thing actually worse than listening to these lazy journos, its the very fact that they consider the Celtic support to be expendable. We’re a punchbag for the MSM, as they sell papers by appeasing the main demographic, the hun. It doesnt matter to them that their readership and its club have a track record in Sectarianism, Racism, Violence and Corruption. In fact it makes me sick to think that in the midst of Britain’s biggest ever sporting scandal, the Scottish MSM still look for any morsel to rope us into it. You’d think they give NL a break after all he’s been through, but he makes one comment (which 70 year old Fergie comes away with regularly) and there they go again, on his case, and stirring it up just in time for Sunday’s hothouse of hatred.

     

     

    I have’nt bought the DR since ‘thugs and thieves’ and I never will. Its my intention to blank Snyde for good now. I think its been mentioned already that the Blue Knight, Douglas Park actually sponsors SSB. Maybe that explains it. I wish to God that someone would kickstart a campaign asking Celtic fans to cut off the DR and Radio Clyde. They are the cause of much grief to Celtic FC and its support.

     

     

    hh

  5. Wee 10.30 and Me on

    Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 on 21 March, 2012 at 20:05 said:

     

     

     

    Remember Niamh Curry. She could do with a wee bit of help.

     

     

    Another worthy cause, donation made.

  9. the long wait is over on

    Auld Neil Lennon heid on 21 March, 2012 at 17:25 said:

     

     

     

    ANLH if you’re about

     

     

    Rangers answer to your question will be ” we took advice and were advised the EBTs were legal and not contractual and did not therefore require to be disclosed”

     

     

    I agree with your points about Celtic and our withdrawal , thankfully, but if that raises questions on inaction it raises them about inaction on the part of the SFA.

     

     

    I think it staggeringly unlikely given everything we know about the SFA and their laissez faire attitude to all things Rangers but , for me , the only smoking gun that would gut Rangers’ likely position would be if , in light of celtics actions and concerns , the SFA had specifically asked rangers ( or anyone else for that matter) if they had EBTs or similar schemes and were told they happened.

     

     

    You’ll forgive me for not holding my breath for that scenario to prove accurate…

  11. The Planner on

    RFC going to court to get out of Ticketus deal is like suing your landlord because you’ve spent your rent money in the pub.

  12. hamiltontim on

    Lennybhoy

     

     

    You’re joking aren’t ye :-))

     

     

    feedthebear

     

     

    I’d prefer to wait on the outcome of the meeting of the ’10’ before deciding if boycott is appropriate.

  14. Majestic Hartson on

    Came home to find the missus in with friends so got offered the chance of going to the pub. Ideal.

     

    Go to the pub no wifi for cqn. Not ideal.

     

    Go to next pub get a bottle of furstenberg as they don’t sell Best, £4.10. Not ideal.

     

    What to do?….

  18. notafanofstan on

    So tickets for the charity theft game are ‘slow’ , surely down to apathy rather than conscience.

  19. hamiltontim on

    ernie

     

     

    I’m not sure that’s why I’d prefer to wait and see the outcome of any meetings that take place.

  21. O.G.Rafferty on

    the long wait is over, 21:31, Auld Neil Lennon heid, 17:25

     

     

    There is another possibility – namely that there is a paper trail that says otherwise…

  23. stephbhoy on

    i think celtic should seek clarity with regard the meeting that is taking place between the other 10 spl clubs.

     

     

    but lets not forget celtic are as guilty as rangers when it comes to working the system for the plc’s benefit, football has often been an after thought to the balance sheet.

     

     

    you reap what you saw and all that!!!!

     

     

    something the other 10 spl clubs would do best to remember

  24. hamiltontim on

    TET

     

     

    A nothing story I think, didn’t know anything about until I looked on here tonight.

  26. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    setting free the bears on 21 March, 2012 at 20:41 said:

     

     

    Two possibilities:

     

    Celtic played Penarol in a friendly at Celtic Park at the start of the `68 season.

     

     

    Less likely,the play off game against (SPEW) Racing club,which took place in Uruguay.

  29. stephbhoy on

    we should be working with all teams in scotland to improve the product on offer, the fun, excitement, enthusiasm, pricing and competitive environment.

  32. the long wait is over on

    OG

     

     

    A paper trail that discloses not only that there were second contracts but also that Rangers knew them to be contracts and therefore disclosable and blatantly ignored that obligation to disclose ?

     

     

    Nothing and I mean nothing would surprise me of that lot so I wouldnt discount it having happened but the disclosure of that paper trail is inconceivable to me.

     

     

    Hh

  33. MattE on

    Re The Boycott

     

    If the other 10 choose to let TFOD into the spl after the shennanigans telling us we can’t live without them and their Hun coin, then the 10 will have to do without my cash! Boycott it will be for me……..

  36. THE EXILED TIM on

    What to do, I stuck a few goals accas on earlier, one still in the running, I have 7 out of 8 up, I need the Villareal game to have + 2.5 goals for a very decent return.

     

    0-0 at half time, not looking good, that’s what I get for breaking my golden rule,decisions decisions.

  38. Kojo on

    If the Cotton dinnae spoil.. and the Crick don’t Rise…

     

    and anither week wull pass…wi’ still Nae Joy…

     

    and oan account o’ thur Obscene Fees..

     

     

    Ah figger..

     

     

    Duff, Duffer,and Bluffer.. will .. Surpass Ticketus.. and

     

    Become…

     

     

    The G.A.s .. Major Creditor!

     

     

    Kojo

     

    Still Laughin’

  40. stephbhoy on

    MattE on 21 March, 2012 at 21:58 said:

     

     

    i dont think for a minute that they believe their fans will accept that, particularly the aberdeen, hibs and relegated teams fans, do you? add celtic to that mix and a newco has no chance of direct entry

     

     

    i dont think for a minute that celtic would simply sit back and allow this to happen, remember, the rules would have to be changed and the club most cheated would be once again cheated.

  41. johann murdoch on

    ET..painting ? Still life or landscapes?

     

     

    Have a wee look at Justin rose for a place at the masters 33/1 at ladbrokes maybe elsewhere..too

     

     

    Hope your boy is ok too ..hh

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