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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Just listening to LODI ……..Creedence Clearwater Revival…..
Decided I need therapy when, quick as a flash, I changed the 2nd line of
If I only had a dollar for every song I’ve sung….
I’D PAY MY FECKIN’ TAXES, UNLIKE THE FECKIN’ HUUN……
Timabhouy
If we were independent we could also look forward to our Chapels being burned down and being even more demonised in this sh1tty wee country…
Declan is back.
Looking forward to us winning the league my man seeing as you hate being second.
verdantvic on 21 March, 2012 at 16:17 said:
slightly ott mate.
make no mistake, they will be up for this big time, they dont want to see us win the league in their midden or witness their team lose their 4th game in a row. more concerned about the tactics they will deploy and how they go about their business on the park. I didn’t think the final on Sunday was going to be a walk in the park and I dont see it shaping that way this Sunday. I think we will win but I think it is going to be a tight affair.
maybe taking to your bed for a couple of hours or hiding behind the couch would be the best place for you. :-)
Alasdair MacLean
Everyone gets speeding tickets leaving Cumbernauld.
The Swiss League is some shambles, makes ours look almost professional…
Swiss Super League club Servette has been handed a reprieve from the threat of bankruptcy after a judge gave it a further month to organise its financial affairs.
The club said in a brief statement on Tuesday that a bankruptcy hearing has been adjourned until April 19, granting Servette’s new owner additional time to put together a rescue plan. Canadian businessman Hugh Quennec paid one Swiss franc earlier this month to acquire the 17-time Swiss champion from Iranian Majid Pishyar, who had filed bankruptcy papers for the club just days earlier.
Servette currently lies fifth in a Swiss Super League that has been dogged by problems this season. The League was reduced to nine teams in January when Neuchatel Xamax became the first club kicked out of the Super League in midseason since Servette itself went bankrupt in 2005.
The credibility of Swiss domestic football had already been dealt a serious blow following FC Sion’s 36-point penalty for its highly publicised player eligibility dispute.
Soccerex Business Daily Find out more
ASonOfDan
And the newly constructed Scottish Revenue Service allowing certain teams to neglect their tax paying duty ably supported by the politicians in charge.
Mort
Brummie Bhoy:15:01 Lizard King 14:56
I think it is this one
From Wings Over Scotland
http://wingsland.podgamer.com/why-scotland-doesnt-need-rangers/
———————————
That is a great article and I have never seen it before!
I would argue a more realistic probability of a good Euro run is more like a 1:10 event not 1:6. You also need to include total income per visit not just gate money. But then factor in less police costs.
BUT, small quibbles.
So the cost of selling the integrity of Scottish football to preserve Ranger is, arguably, £0.
The point being that it is hardly a compelling case to say financial armaegeddon will ensue without Rangers. Yes there will be less TV money overall and yes there will be a period of Celtic domination as adjustment occurs. But balancing factors are increased probability of European money and increased probability of higher gates due to increased probability of higher league placing and extended cup runs.
This article needs “socialising”.
Another myth bites the dust.
Great work –thanks.
HH
TLK
Bilbao really are a class outfit, they even pay their taxes…
Spanish football clubs have run up tax debts totalling £625m. £353m is owed by 14 of the 20 clubs in the top division. Athletico Madrid are the worst offenders with debts of £128m but Athletic Bilbao owe nothing.
The situation has caused indignation in Germany with tabloids complaining that the country’s taxpayers are subsidising the wages of top Spanish players.
A son of dan ……… Fortunately, the majority will not vote for independence, since I fully agree with your assessment…..
Mort on 21 March, 2012 at 15:33 said:
i knew you would deliver!
HH
TLK
googybhoy ♥ Celtic and Integrity on 21 March, 2012 at 14:52
Some info about “Nil by Mouth” that I gleaned from another site:
“Nil by Mouth employs one person who is supported by Trustees who are in the main, pensioners.
NbM has rolled out training on how to tackle sectarianism in the workplace, and in schools, and deals with the Crown Office and (believe it or not) Strathclyde Police, amongst others.
What often comes out of these sessions, is a lot of “There is no sectarianism in Scotland” – but then these people are asked if they know of Golf or Bowling Clubs that are “exclusive”…cue much shuffling of feet, and looking away.
All work places can ask to have this training (free of charge) if they want it.
NbM has moved on from being football related – I guess most people imagine it to be a Celtic minded charity, but it is not, and never was.
NbM does not have the answers but at least tries to tackle it at source. You willnot find the SFA or the 2 clubs doing any more.”
About “Show Racism the Red Card” …
“The Show Racism the Red Card anti-sectarianism lark is a lame duck – the guy who runs the project was nearly fired by the SRTRC mgmt, due to their unwillingness to be involved. the Head of SRTRC is a staunch Gers supporter – hence their silence on the Famine Song.”
These are two of the seven organisations that are given money by the Salmon so that Salmon can wash his hands of it.
a son of dan
what a crystal ball you have
all fire and doom
wrap yourself round the
union jack
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. Pedro.. etc
Pal
Ah agree wi ye.. The G.A. wull Heaven and Hell.. Furget aboot.. Earth!
Tae mak sure that they wull Spile our Chances.
And..
The sad part of this ..is..
That..
We,as a Team… are Not Firing oan ANY CYLINDERS.. AT AWE.. The Noo!
Ah wull watch the Game..of Course.. but,
maist of the TIme..
Wi’ Baith Hauns Over Ma Eyes..
and
Keekin’ Thru, the Sma Spaces Between Ma Fingers!
Ah don’t feel Too Sanguine aboot how we wull fare,
in this Upcoming.. Confronto.
Nay, Nay a Thousand Times.. Nay!
Kojo
yer pal.. who likes ye aloater.
But..
Still Laughin’… Anywey!
Asonofdan
“the country’s taxpayers are subsidising the wages of top… players”
Can’t quite place where but I’m sure I’ve read about something similiar in Scotland recently…
OK two at a time …. although some would love to see me and a defibrillator I think its best avoided.
1st Journey: Fergus & Dermot
2nd Journey: Brian Quinn Peter Lawwell
3rd Journey: John Reid Neil Lennon
4th Journey: Rosemary Burns Gordon Strachan
5th Journey; Billy Mc Neil John Clark
6th Journey: Paul Brennan Phil & RTC (heard they´re all a bit weedy)
AND I WOULD DO IT FOR CHARITY
Hail Hail
but any moustaches can GET TO F
ASonOfDan – Got to laugh at the Chancellor getting on his high horse about tax avoidance when he gave the go ahead to let Vodafone of with a £6 BILLION bill.
The problem with relying on the Socialist Worker (or even Private Eye, since they’ve gotten this one badly wrong too) as your source of news is that, inevitably, you will end up reading a load of nonsense.
Vodafone never owed £6bn. There was no such tax bill. It’s a myth. (thumbsup)
RaRaRasputin – I fear rumours of my spending power are unfounded. For, you see, I am a married man. As such, all I can really call my own are these thumbs, this suit, and of course my handsomeness. (thumbsup)
Kojo – I am led to understand that corporation tax is higher in the US than it is in the UK. Of course, all taxes take wealth out of the productive sector of the economy and every job created in the tax-eating sector is at the expense of at least one job in the tax-contributing sector. (thumbsup)
shimmies33 – His reasoning is
I give away £3billion away to high earners this year!
Forcing people to give you a slightly lower percentage of their property is not the same thing as “giving away” anything. (thumbsup)
Kenny Shiels @RealKennyShiels
As much as I would have enjoyed the banter on here, the respect for Liam and his father from Killie and Celtic fans is fantastic #RealFans
Retweeted by Phil MacGiollaBhain
Lizard King
The ” Wings Over Scotland” article was a piece of real journalism
After reading it editors up and down the country should have been storming into their sports departments demanding to know why they were not on top of this kind of analysis, instead of acting as cheerleaders for the FoD.
Instead of running around shouting ” we’re all doomed I tell ya, were doooooomed ” the writer looked at the possibility of life without The Devils Spawn and concluded that, it is perhaps one to look forward to, rather than dread.
It uses facts, not emotion (something that is alien to the Laptop Loyal) to dispel the myth that Scottish Football needs them.
The piece analysed how the rest of the leagues teams fared in the past 30 or so years when either Celtic or The Darkness were not in contention for the top spots.
The smaller teams, that we are told will die without the visit of the Horde ,all seem to have prospered.
If this article had been posted on a normal ‘slow news’ day on CQN it would have been dissected ,analysed and absorbed by all Tims. It would then be used as the mantra in arguments with those who attack our stance that ” we don’t need no stinkin R*****S”
Unfortunately it was published two days after ‘Administration Day at the Big House’ whilst we were all trying to keep up with work and what was happening in Poundland .This meant that most Tims probably scanned it and unfortunately I think this excellent piece has gone unnoticed amongst the storm of posting that has occurred that week.
Well worth a re-read and worth sending on to all other fans of the SPL 10
The Onlooker
sixtaeseven: No NewCo in SPL and it’s Non-Negotiable! on 21 March, 2012 at 16:50 said:
I was surprised at the quote ascribed to Nil by Mouth. I am sure they are acutely aware of the differences between Celtic and Rangers.
The programme it was taken from.sounds like a tacky one looking at the extremes on both sides.
Awe_Naw
Thats nothing try carrying Sally and Mingwall to Burger King.
Son of Dan
I have read some drivel on here. But your analysis hits new lows. I am astounded that people on here who would no doubt support an independent united Ireland from Brit rule can not contemplate self determination for all the people of Scotland.
This is a particularly great time to be a Celtic fan.
Billy’s Bhoy
You’re forgetting the culture of this Country, I’m afraid…
billys bhouy
ref: son of dan
a new low, well said
i thought it was just the unionist partys
that scaremonger then again son of dan is
a unionist and loves the union jack
I see walter myth is the manager of the hun legneds against AC Milan in the non-charity charity match.Could this be the first ever friendly match were a team is setup to play for a 0-0.
When Celtic do charity games, not only do we give the money raised to the charity we said we would, we play Henrik in defence and Gerrard Butler up front.
When the huns do charity games, they keep the money raised for themselves, they play 5 at the back with bigot bomber brown collecting scalps up front.
So yes roll up, roll up, it should be a cracker…..
Stupid huns!!
67 heaven
dont be afraid , stand up for yourself.
Kojo on 21 March, 2012 at 16:51 said:
I dont think you’ll need to watch the game through your fingers, the ref will protect our players..ahem ahem.
You’re right in saying we haven’t been firing on all cylinders, but i think our bhoys will be up for it, i would settle for a draw and win it next week against St Johnstone. Murderwell, might put a spanner in the works on Saturday anyway.
So will the RFC[IA] administrators need to apply to Glasgow District Council [who they owe £96k to.allegedy] for a street vendors license to sell the flags on sunday?
and
what about the VAT due on said sale of flags?….hmmmmmmmmm
I hope we dont take our eyes of the sfa . dont know about anyone else but i dont trust them one little bit . They are no friend of celtic .
Tiny tim . your spot on . Paul mc bride was a deterant , they knew he was watching them . He was a Huge loss to us .
jimtim
the long wait is over on 21 March, 2012 at 14:25 said:
I think that is the way that they will try to play this. However as I pointed out jusr before you posted, Celtic stopped the Juhinho EBT and put matters right with HMRC and presumably made registration changes at the SFA/SPL..
Surely that must have raised alarm bells at the SFA or Rangers? This was 2005 and Rangers had the opportunity at that point to do what Celtic did and say “haud oan, we are not sure about our chosen tax strategy and how we have gone about it.” Responsible Directors should have at least raised the issue internally and had a look at the implications if they were wrong.
It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that they did, they might even have asked the SFA for a view but in 2005 they had the strongest of all indications that ebts were dodgy and yet stayed silent.
They can maybe plead ignorance (although they had a duty not to be) in 2000 to 2004 but that defense fails in 2005 when Celtic pulled the plug on the Juhinho ebt.
The question would be You thought ebts were ok when you embarked on them but what did you do in 2005 when Celtic signalled they were risky?
Was any consideration given to doing what Celtic had done ie putting matters right and if not why not?
They can wriggle but they knew the problem in 2005.
philvisreturns on 21 March, 2012 at 13:03 said:
Re: Fit and Proper people.
Personally I’d like to see Rangers owned and run by a fans collective headed by Mark Dingwall. It would be like a real-life Dogme ’95 film by Lars von Trier. (thumbsup)
======================================================
LOL.
Yes:
‘The Idiots’.
Hope to God without the same ending…
Som mes que un club on 21 March, 2012 at 16:58 said:
Kenny Shiels @RealKennyShiels
As much as I would have enjoyed the banter on here, the respect for Liam and his father from Killie and Celtic fans is fantastic #RealFans
Thought Kenny Shiels was ok, but after Sunday, the way he set his team up to play football, his aftermatch comments about Celtic and the way he has dealt with the sad passing of Liam Kelly’s father. He has went way up in my estimations. I am sure that he was one if not the only SPL manager that spoke out in defence of Neil last year when all and sundry were having a go.
A genuine good guy, that shows us the real meaning of dignity.
SSN “Ally McCoist is at the forefront of negotiations for the takeover of the club”.
I mean , how gullible do they think people are ? Astonishingly poor journalism regurgitating any nonsense they are fed from the Hun PR machine. Never mind that the whole thing is a sham, but at least make it look realistic, such an obvious play for the masses.
What’s the betting that one of the friendly, charitable, TV stations cover the Hijack-a -Charity game?
Have a splendid evening bhoys – don’t get eaten by massive plants.
Like in that book ‘Watch out for that massive plant, Alan!’
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. Philvis
Pal.
Erase that Thought frum yer Mind… Ye know the Wan…
In Which.. . Everybuddy, is Soiten that The U.S. is a Capitalist Country?
It May be. an IMPERIALISTIC WAN.. but , The U.S.A., is soitenly No…. a Capitalistic Wan!
Landsakes..
The U.S. is actually.. Mair of a WELFARE STATE.. than.
the U.K.
AH Know!
Hard tae Believe. but,it is so.
Fur ye see.. the U.S. is Run . Totally. By ..
POLITICIANS.. no.. STATESMEN!
And Politicians,fun oot…a Long,Long, Time Ago..
that..
Their joab is No tae Help the People.
Their Joab is tae Garner Votes fur Themselves..
and they hiv fun oot. that the best way tae dae that..
Is tae MAK SURE that the Country is always.. Fully Staffed
Wi an ARMY of Folk oan the DOLE..
or in this Country. it is Temed.. Welfare..
and..
It is the Politicians Joab tae mak sure that This Army of Unemployed.. Folk.. are well Looked After…
in order tae curry.. Thur . VOTE.
and it works like a Treat.
And the mair Hand oots the Politicians gie tae This Vast Army of Welfarers….
The Mair , they Politicians kin be assured of those Welfarers.. Votes… Which wull Guarantee.. the Politians,in Power..
Re-Election.
No maitter.. Whitever Political Party.
Politicians of Eethur Party.. woik the Same style of Vote Garnering
Tactics.
which is.
“Tak fae A.. and gie tae B.. thereby, guaranteeing. a Vote fae
… well.. B..”
So you kin bet yer sweet Bippy that .. Baith sets of Politicians..
Always, mak Damn Sure.. the They hiv a Loat Mair.. ‘Bs’ , than
‘As’ , tae Draw oan.
Tae pit is Anither way..
The Mortal Enemy of Politicians..
Is
FULL EMPLOYMENT!!
Get the Pictur??
Sure , ye dae.
As long as the Democratic System of Gien the Vote.. tae Tom, Dick and Cissie.. is in Vogue..
There wull Always be a Vast Army of Welfarers.. Suckin contentedly at the Public Purse.
That is why . the Democratic Form of Governance.. is
Flawed.. Democracy,is NOT the Best Form of Governance..
For.. THE PEOPLE..
But, It is The Very BEST Form of Governance.. for the
POLITICIANS!!
but,it is awe that we hiv.. at this time.. as the Alternatives.. are
even Mairer Flaweded!
Kojo
yer pal.. who likes ye loater
I took a shine to Kenny Sheils after his comments about kirkie broadface.
He said: “It was the ugly boy from Rangers – the male model from Ayrshire. I think his mascara was running. Pasquale only responded like a captain would do.”
Fantastic stuff.