SFA walk away in face of Neil Lennon’s witnesses

208

Neil Lennon decided to accept his two game touchline ban for comments made after Celtic were not awarded a penalty in the closing minutes of the League Cup final against Kilmarnock when Anthony Stokes, clean through on goal, was tripped.

This was a hugely frustrating incident which had a critical bearing on the final.  The SFA found Neil in breach of rule 68: “Making comments in an interview which criticise the performance of a match official in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence.”  It’s worth pointing out that Neil suggested the referee’s decision was “criminal”, not biased or incompetent.

The other matter the Celtic manager was there to face was charges in relation to his conduct at Ibrox last month, when he was sent to the stand at half time for allegedly breaching rule 203: “No member of Team Staff shall commit Misconduct at a match, including but not limited to committing acts of the kind described in the Schedule of Offences in Annex C.”

After the game Neil Lennon said, “[The referees] are saying one thing; I’ve got witnesses to say another.”

On reviewing the evidence the SFA decided against applying a punishment while issuing a truly memorable statement, saying the will impose: “no further sanction on the basis that the half-game served out-with the technical area was sufficient”.

By the sound of it Neil was not bluffing when he said he had witnesses to counter evidence from the referee and fourth official.  Under the circumstances any reasonable man could postulate his persecution was personal.

Perhaps the Scottish justice secretary should consider adding a fourth option for juries in burglary trials: guilty, not guilty, not proven and already punished as he had to hand the goods back.

More later on some truly remarkable Celtic supporters and the other matter as the crescendo builds.

Buy a hard copy of CQN Magazine, issue 7, by clicking on the button below.  You can read online here.


Ship to:




[calameo code=0003901711c929f537703 lang=en page=64 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

208 Comments
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6

  1. Graham Spiers ‏ @GrahamSpiers Reply Retweet Favorite · Open

     

    Though I have to admit: I did once take Lennon to task for being so disparaging about my Reformed tradition. By God his knees were knocking.

     

     

    I see hand knitted corduroy clown is still trying to pal Neil up…

     

     

    A clueless spineless churnalista…

  2. Auld Neil Lennon heid on

    Re Alex Thomson asking about the banks, I just sent this to Roughi at Real Radio. GIRUT

     

     

    ” Roughie

     

     

    Do you remember the week about two years back when you and Ewan presented shows with Twilight Zone music playing asking who were The Establishment that Celtic fans were complaining were helping Rangers?

     

    Well looks like Alex Thomson of Ch4 is now finding out and apart from the SFA who turned a blind eye to EBTs , the Banks and Scottish Government all seem to have played a part.

     

     

    Be good to hear a rerun of those shows, what a laugh now eh?”

  3. philvisreturns on

    pigalle – The big hoose is too big to fit in a liquidiser.

     

     

    It’s like that scene at the end of Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil”, where our hero beats the baddies and escapes to an idyllic existence with his lady.

     

     

    And then we find out he’s just fantasising because his mind has gone. (thumbsup)

  4. bye bye rangers…

     

     

    The Singaporean businessman Bill Ng has withdrawn his group’s offer to buy Rangers, according to reports.

     

     

    According to the Straits Times, Ng has released a statement in which he says he has become “increasingly uncomfortable and frustrated with the process of dealing with club administrators” but could relaunch his bid if Duff & Phelps fail to strike another deal.

     

     

    Ng’s decision leaves the American Bill Miller as the most likely candidate after Brian Kennedy had a verbal offer rejected and the Blue Knights consortium announced they were stepping back from the process.

     

     

    Proposed changes to the Scottish Premier League’s regulations on clubs going into administration or facing liquidation, increasing the penalties Rangers may face, are to be voted on at the end of this month.

  5. Feelings are running off the scale as doomsday approaches for them.

     

     

    Expect threats to burn down the internet. :0)

     

     

    pigalle

  6. Auld Neil Lennon heid on

    The Pantaloon Duck on 20 April, 2012 at 12:09 said:

     

     

     

    TBB

     

     

    At last, someone making sense of all this!

     

    ———————————

     

    As a favour can I ask posters that if they are commenting on another post they copy paste the author into their reply before they comment. It sure helps when trying to find the post commented upon. Thanks.

  7. Fortunes Favour Mibbes on

    Auldheid,

     

     

    I mind that as well.

     

     

    Things about that real radio show is that even the usual PR groups don’t bother briefing them as they have literally no scooby doo about anything. DJ has doubled the IQ quotia since joinging of course, but it’s still doesn’t tally up to double figures.

     

     

    It’s a kind of amusing naievete which can be great sport, as opposed to the more sinister motivations of the agenda monkeys of the other stations.

  8. Dontbrattbakkinanger on

    The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi-aquatic hominid endemic to eastern Ayrshire , including Tarbolton.

     

     

    ‘The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud’

     

     

    ,

  9. Fortunes Favour Mibbes on

    Aye, some huns are threatening to set fire to Google on November 5th if something isn’t done soon.

  10. philvisreturns on 20 April, 2012 at 12:45 said:

     

     

    Their collective mind and spirit is gone.

     

     

    They collected thruppence as the RFF and also even now it seems to be

     

    news to the cohorts that death is imminent.

     

     

    Boy, nobody does denial like the huns.

     

     

    pigalle

  11. from FF

     

     

    Choosing Sides – why it’s the Blue Knights for Rangers

     

     

    I believe that the Blue Knights enjoy the support of the vast and overwhelming majority of Rangers fans.

     

    It would be easy to hedge my bets and hope to curry favour with any of the new potential owners by being nice to them, or remaining silent. I leave it to others to flash their petticoats. I’m going to keep on plugging the Blue Knights.

     

    The Blue Knights have the business competence to run the club. They know the finances inside out and have studied them for years, they known what is possible. They have not promised hundreds of millions, their plan are safe and practical. They have been the most open about their membership, they are not obsessed about their own positions – and in fact have an open door policy to have all with the best interests of the club to join them as equal partners.

     

    THE PROBLEM WITH INVESTORS

     

    You can’t make money out of Rangers unless you do a lease-back of the stadium or sell off other land assets. The accounts tell you that.

     

    You simply can’t make a decent return on your money any other way – the accounts over the lat 20 years show that we need around £5million a year cash injection over and above our normal income – the share issues subscribed to by David Murray himself, Joe Lewis and Dave King prove that.

     

    I’m not an accountant but having studied and taken advice on our finances for years I am led to one conclusion – anyone who “invests” for a return is either a fool or an asset-stripper.

     

    THE OTHER BIDS

     

    BILL NG – a respectable gentleman of means by all accounts, of that there is little doubt. But who are the other members of his consortium? “Plugging into the Asian market” is pie in the sky unless you are one of the big teams in the English Premiership. Using Rangers to boost Singaporean football? That’s not the role any Rangers fan sees the club fulfilling. Has Bill been a Rangers fan for 10 years or 40 years? – his PR people seem a little confused over the 30 year gap.

     

    After David Murray and Craig Whyte we would literally have to be mad as a support to actively welcome an absentee landlord operating from the other side of the world.

     

    BILL MILLER – We know virtually nothing about the American and what we read in the press is not goof. Alleged links to Andrew Ellis, plans of a “newco” route, etc, and a dreadful PR mean he has absolutely no feel-good factor.

     

    BRIAN KENNEDY – It’s obvious Brian Kennedy is looking for a bargain and is happy to see if he can pick one up. He’ engaged for a long-time now with the Blue Knights and has been helpful but he has also been very honest with the fact that he likes to be in sole control. That’s just his way of doing business.

     

    His track record at Sale Sharks and Stockport County has been that of a ruthless but benevolent dictator.

     

    My main worry is simply the distrust of ever again having one man in sole control of the club. His business interests catch cold then Rangers get the flu.

     

    THE HONESTY OF THE BLUE KNIGHTS

     

    From the start they have said that if the numbers don’t add up and they can’t form a credible plan they will walk away and let others go forward rather than see the club stagger like Portsmouth from one set of under-financed owners to the next.

     

    They have been open with the fans and invited the major fans groups to join the consortium and to sign off on the very final document that will seal the deal after due diligence.

     

    We know who the leading Blue Knights are – you can check their wealth and their bona fides.

     

    THE STANDARDS TO MEASURE BIDS BY

     

    After all we have been through with David Murray and Craig Whyte I am incredulous that Bears would be taken in by vague promises of jam tomorrow from overseas buyers of whom we know next to nothing, or a Hibs fan!

     

    We need openness, we need certainly of funds, we need credible owners who have a track record in Scottish business, we need Bluenoses who are not looking for a quick buck and a regime committed to good corporate governance.

     

    SUBSTANTIAL, RESPECTABLE AND PROVEN

     

    The Blue Knights tick all the boxes.

     

    The do not promises the earth.

     

    The are looking for your support by asking you to dig into your own pockets to save The Rangers.

     

    The online objections to the Blue Knights are mostly juvenile – the idea that they “have no money”; the idea that Paul Murray and Dougie Park were acolytes of David Murray; the idea that Ticketus can be wished away.

     

    Online hysteria gives a distorted view of support for or opposition to any bid. Some websites have changed their backing (such as it is) four times in the last two months in a desperate bid to curry favour – here’s the bad news boys – unless you are credible your ‘backing’ isn’t credible.

     

    My 20+ years of involvement in fan organisations, running a fanzine and then a massive messageboard like Followfollow.com mean I can perhaps read the genuine mood of the punters better than most (I can of course be mistaken) – and be able to suspend my own prejudices and preferences.

     

    I believe that the Blue Knights enjoy the support of the vast and overwhelming majority of Rangers fans.

     

    We all now need to unite behind the one credible bid put together by Rangers fans that will deliver success via hard work, hard cash and a sharing of responsibility so that never again can the club be run on the whims of one man or the club stare liquidation in the face.

     

    Ticketus, Duff & Phelps, the bank, the SPL, the SFA and all the rest of them need to get that message.

  12. South Of Tunis on

    Has to be done —–

     

     

    How do you turn a platypus into a R + B singer ?

     

     

    Stick it in a microwave until it’s Bill Withers.

     

     

    Lots of Sunshine -way down south.

  13. The Pantaloon Duck on

    Auld Neil Lennon heid on 20 April, 2012 at 12:47 said:

     

     

    Sorry. I was commenting on this ;-)

     

    ——————————————

     

     

    The Battered Bunnet on 20 April, 2012 at 12:07 said:

     

    On the Ng Nang Nong

     

    Where the Bids go Bong!

     

    and the journos all say BOO!

     

    There’s a Nong Nang Ng

     

    Where the papers go Png!

     

    And the Editor’s jibber jabber joo.

  14. stephenpollock on 20 April, 2012 at 12:28 said:

     

     

    “I would much rather comments on refs were not made in heat of moment but somehow leaked in a way our people dont end up in stands.”

     

     

    This was the approach under Tony Mowbray. Although publically taking it on the chin himself and PL were said to be meeting with the SFA in private to discuss grievances. Look where that got us.

     

     

    I will be very disappointed if the club do not take any further action over the actions of the officials following the tunnel non-incident.

     

     

    They should remember that any assurances they may have been given cannot be trusted, as this trust has been abused before.

  15. Fortunes Favour Mibbes on

    pigalle,

     

     

    It’s just dawned on me that I’ve been recycling other people’s jokes today without even realising it.

     

     

    Am enjoying it all too much.

     

     

    Mibbes a career in churnalism beckons for me…….yez are all internet bampots right enough!

  16. The outcome of the Scottish Football Association’s disciplinary action against Rangers and majority shareholder Craig Whyte will not be known until next week.

     

     

    Rangers faced five charges and Whyte two with the SFA’s judicial panel hearing the third and final day of evidence and submissions on Friday.

     

     

    The SFA said: “The judicial panel have advised that, due to the schedule of evidence and final submissions in respect of the tribunal involving Rangers FC and Craig Whyte, there will be no announcement of determination today.

     

     

    “The panel chairman has advised that a period of deliberation will follow today’s hearing, with an announcement anticipated in early course next week.”

  17. Auld Neil Lennon heid on

    James Edward McGrory 408 goals in 408 league games on 20 April, 2012 at 12:24 said:

     

     

     

    Paul/Anyone,

     

     

    When are UEFA are due to decide if the scum can play in Europe next season or are UEFA also waiting on Fluff & Whelks to make a decision on who the preferred liquidator will be?

     

    ——————————-

     

    They already have, Platini said “non”

  18. Auld Neil Lennon heid on

    ASonOfDan on 20 April, 2012 at 12:53 said:

     

     

    If the SFA back pedal any further they are going to end up in Castlemilk.

  19. There now follows a Party Political Broadcast from the ‘Stupid Huns’ Party…

     

     

    I believe that the Blue Knights enjoy the support of the vast and overwhelming majority of Rangers fans.

     

     

    It would be easy to hedge my bets and hope to curry favour with any of the new potential owners by being nice to them, or remaining silent. I leave it to others to flash their petticoats. I’m going to keep on plugging the Blue Knights.

     

     

     

     

    The Blue Knights have the business competence to run the club. They know the finances inside out and have studied them for years, they known what is possible. They have not promised hundreds of millions, their plan are safe and practical. They have been the most open about their membership, they are not obsessed about their own positions – and in fact have an open door policy to have all with the best interests of the club to join them as equal partners.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE PROBLEM WITH INVESTORS

     

     

    You can’t make money out of Rangers unless you do a lease-back of the stadium or sell off other land assets. The accounts tell you that.

     

     

    You simply can’t make a decent return on your money any other way – the accounts over the lat 20 years show that we need around £5million a year cash injection over and above our normal income – the share issues subscribed to by David Murray himself, Joe Lewis and Dave King prove that.

     

     

    I’m not an accountant but having studied and taken advice on our finances for years I am led to one conclusion – anyone who “invests” for a return is either a fool or an asset-stripper.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE OTHER BIDS

     

     

     

     

    BILL NG – a respectable gentleman of means by all accounts, of that there is little doubt. But who are the other members of his consortium? “Plugging into the Asian market” is pie in the sky unless you are one of the big teams in the English Premiership. Using Rangers to boost Singaporean football? That’s not the role any Rangers fan sees the club fulfilling. Has Bill been a Rangers fan for 10 years or 40 years? – his PR people seem a little confused over the 30 year gap.

     

     

    After David Murray and Craig Whyte we would literally have to be mad as a support to actively welcome an absentee landlord operating from the other side of the world.

     

     

     

     

    BILL MILLER – We know virtually nothing about the American and what we read in the press is not goof. Alleged links to Andrew Ellis, plans of a “newco” route, etc, and a dreadful PR mean he has absolutely no feel-good factor.

     

     

     

     

    BRIAN KENNEDY – It’s obvious Brian Kennedy is looking for a bargain and is happy to see if he can pick one up. He’ engaged for a long-time now with the Blue Knights and has been helpful but he has also been very honest with the fact that he likes to be in sole control. That’s just his way of doing business.

     

     

    His track record at Sale Sharks and Stockport County has been that of a ruthless but benevolent dictator.

     

     

    My main worry is simply the distrust of ever again having one man in sole control of the club. His business interests catch cold then Rangers get the flu.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE HONESTY OF THE BLUE KNIGHTS

     

     

    From the start they have said that if the numbers don’t add up and they can’t form a credible plan they will walk away and let others go forward rather than see the club stagger like Portsmouth from one set of under-financed owners to the next.

     

     

    They have been open with the fans and invited the major fans groups to join the consortium and to sign off on the very final document that will seal the deal after due diligence.

     

     

    We know who the leading Blue Knights are – you can check their wealth and their bona fides.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE STANDARDS TO MEASURE BIDS BY

     

     

    After all we have been through with David Murray and Craig Whyte I am incredulous that Bears would be taken in by vague promises of jam tomorrow from overseas buyers of whom we know next to nothing, or a Hibs fan!

     

     

    We need openness, we need certainly of funds, we need credible owners who have a track record in Scottish business, we need Bluenoses who are not looking for a quick buck and a regime committed to good corporate governance.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    SUBSTANTIAL, RESPECTABLE AND PROVEN

     

     

     

     

    The Blue Knights tick all the boxes.

     

     

    The do not promises the earth.

     

     

    The are looking for your support by asking you to dig into your own pockets to save The Rangers.

     

     

     

     

    The online objections to the Blue Knights are mostly juvenile – the idea that they “have no money”; the idea that Paul Murray and Dougie Park were acolytes of David Murray; the idea that Ticketus can be wished away.

     

     

     

     

    Online hysteria gives a distorted view of support for or opposition to any bid. Some websites have changed their backing (such as it is) four times in the last two months in a desperate bid to curry favour – here’s the bad news boys – unless you are credible your ‘backing’ isn’t credible.

     

     

     

     

    My 20+ years of involvement in fan organisations, running a fanzine and then a massive messageboard like Followfollow.com mean I can perhaps read the genuine mood of the punters better than most (I can of course be mistaken) – and be able to suspend my own prejudices and preferences.

     

     

     

     

    I believe that the Blue Knights enjoy the support of the vast and overwhelming majority of Rangers fans.

     

     

     

     

    We all now need to unite behind the one credible bid put together by Rangers fans that will deliver success via hard work, hard cash and a sharing of responsibility so that never again can the club be run on the whims of one man or the club stare liquidation in the face.

     

     

    Ticketus, Duff & Phelps, the bank, the SPL, the SFA and all the rest of them need to get that message.

  20. Auld Neil Lennon heid on

    The Battered Bunnet on 20 April, 2012 at 12:07 said:

     

     

     

    On the Ng Nang Nong

     

    Where the Bids go Bong!

     

    and the journos all say BOO!

     

    There’s a Nong Nang Ng

     

    Where the papers go Png!

     

    And the Editor’s jibber jabber joo.

     

    ———————————

     

    Yer talent is wasted TBB. Childrens books beckon.

  21. Rogue Leader It is well documented that I have been an ardent Hun since my dad bounced my on my knee and taught me to hate Catholics.. I have tons of money and will now put a new bid in for RIA

  22. tomthelennytim on

    Kayal33 – bona fides ! Nice to see Dingwall hasn’t forgot his Latin education.

  23. A wee (big) ditty for our Hero,Sir Craigy

     

     

    Rod Stewart

     

    To the Tune of the Killing of Georgie (Part 1 and 2)

     

     

     

    The Killing of Craigy

     

     

    In these days of changing ways

     

     

    so called liberated days

     

     

    a story comes to mind of a friend of mine

     

     

     

    Craigy boy was bent I guess

     

     

    nothing more or nothing less

     

     

    the flyest guy I ever knew

     

     

     

    His loyal brothers cried in vain

     

     

    the afternoon Craig tried to explain

     

     

    that he needed cash above all else

     

     

    David said there must be a mistake

     

     

    how can my pal not be straight

     

     

    after all I recommended him

     

     

     

    Leaving Monaco on ma private plane

     

     

    Cast out by the one he robbed

     

     

    A victim of these tax days it seems

     

     

    Craigy went to Govan town

     

     

    Where he quickly settled down

     

     

    And soon became the toast of the great unwashed

     

     

     

    Accepted by the Masonic elite

     

     

    in all the places that were keech

     

     

    no party tune was complete without Craig

     

     

     

    Along the Broomloan Rd he’d cruise

     

     

    as all the Queens men blew their flutes

     

     

    everybody loved Craigy boy

     

     

     

    The last time I saw Craig alive

     

     

    Was in the boardroom taking a dive

     

     

    He said he was in shit I said I’m pleased

     

     

     

    Craig attended Snake Mountain

     

     

    To watch another Cup defeat

     

     

    But he left before the final whistle blew

     

     

    Deciding to take the subway home

     

     

    Sash and Drums,they meant no harm

     

     

    A stinkin waft blew down the Copland Stand

     

     

     

    Out of a darkened side street came

     

     

    A follow follow gang with just one aim

     

     

    To rob an innocent passer by

     

     

    There ensued a fearsome fight

     

     

    Screams rang out in the night

     

     

    Craigies head hit a Lambeg Drum

     

     

     

    An intercity casual, a switchblade knife

     

     

    He did not intend to take his life

     

     

    He just pushed his luck a little too far that night

     

     

     

    The sight of Blue blood dispersed the gang

     

     

    The huns gathered,the polis came

     

     

    An ambulance screamed to a halt near big Greigy

     

     

     

    Craigys life ended then

     

     

    But I ask who really cares

     

     

    Craig once said to me and I quote

     

     

    Never pay and do the state

     

     

    Get offshore before its too late

     

     

    Cos you may never get another chance

     

     

     

    Ally`s a mask but he won`t last

     

     

    Hide it away and piss off fast

     

     

    Craigy was a friend of mine

     

     

    Oh Craigy stay,don`t go away

     

     

    Craigy please stay,coz you took our money away

     

     

    Repeat till man in white coat or white horse takes you away

  24. yorkbhoy on 20 April, 2012 at 12:59 said:

     

     

    Wee tip -you now need to recount some stories of Champions League away trips in the 90’s.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6