It’s difficult not to associate Hearts’ owner, Vladimir Romanov’s outburst on their club website yesterday with the current issue over Rangers finances, which could soon see the SPL, the SFA and the media take sides between Rangers and their creditors, in particular HM Revenue and Customs.
Romanov’s rant on the demise of the Scottish game was ignorable until he dragged in the “tax authorities” for blame. As you and I know, the tax authorities don’t play favourites, they collect vat, income, corporation and other taxes in line with the law.
Hearts failed to pay player wages last month and Romanov now says, “there is no point is spending millions to watch someone else’s show”. Most of Hearts debt is owed to Romanov’s own bank but if player wages are unpaid there is a good chance HMRC will also be outstanding, explaining the “tax authorities” reference.
If a new football club playing at Ibrox is ushered into the SPL with a points tally calculated from the position of a defunct Rangers you can expect a gold-rush of clubs ready to flush their debts to the country, and history, away.
Well done to STV who yesterday revealed the actual decision making process which would be put in place to judge an application to join the league midseason or at any other time. The SPL board, by simple majority, have the decision, while the SFA need to ratify membership.
If the SPL board vote to reward bad debtors’ shares in their league what incentive would most clubs have to pay their bills? Fortunately, our history is more valuable than any amount of cash.
The new issue of CQN Magazine will be out next week, let me know if you would like to advertise, celticquicknews@gmail.com.
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It was 2.50 pay in to any part of the terracing in 1988. Most of the billboard advertising consisted of El Dorado. Life was so simple back then. Happy days! HH.
J.Clash /Paddy -he was also one of the Ten Men who won the League, even though he was subbed for the great Bobby Lennox.
RoscoePCo says:
2 November, 2011 at 14:17
Ten Men Won The League says:
2 November, 2011 at 13:37
‘I also saw that post on the RTC blog. If STV are correct, then we all know which way that vote will go. Definitely needs clarification.’
Assuming these are the up to date Articles, the RTC poster seems to be right and STV wrong.
http://www.scotprem.com/content/mediaassets/doc/SPL%20Articles%20as%20at%2015-Apr-10%20(CURRENT).pdf
James Forrest,
Not trying to light the green touch paper or anything, but, with a few obvious exceptions we’re mostly all grown ups on CQN – life isn’t always fair and bad people and things go unpunished, or at least not adequately punished. There are lots of reasons for this, whether it’s insufficient regulation, conflict of interest or bare-faced cheating. Rangers (and Hearts) are not teaching the world a new lesson and we’re not going to change the world completely. I really don’t see the point in some of the wish fulfilment we see on CQN. That’s not to say that certain things can’t be accomplished.
It is highly probable that Rangers with the reluctant, or otherwise, consent of the Celtic board will be assisted to survive within the top league (whatever it is called) of Scottish football. And let’s not forget that there are many perfectly legal, even if morally dubious, routes that will ensure this happens. What do we do with our outrage then?
I’d appreciate it if you stopped presuming this is my preference. My preference isn’t on the table, and it seems few on CQN have the wit to spot that there are opportunities for Celtic in this that must be explored. Too many are so engrossed in the Old Firm game that they only want to talk about Rangers, their fans and players. I mean, some people on CQN only ever post about Rangers and their hate is lauded to the extent that these posters are in the CQN woodwork. It’s a shame.
But that part of things is a game, and it’s a childrens game. No-one of any influence pays a blind bit of notice to the kids throwing their toys out of the pram… and let’s be honest, when they come out of the woodwork on the Radio phone-ins and so on… well, it’s not pride in Celtic I feel.
Meanwhile the real world goes on, bills need paying and a future needs planning.
So what can we expect our board to demand? I don’t have an exhaustive list, but if the future of the league is in our hands – we are, after all, the only club with the wherewithall to survive if both those clubs go to the wall – then I’d be inclined to think we do have a bargaining position of great strength.
We could demand control of our media rights. Terms that are fair, but profitable – such things can exist.
We can demand that each and every member of the old Rangers board/exec is banned from holding a position within Scottish football ever again.
We can demand that each club operate with strict break-even policy, like our own.
We can demand that the League does proper due-dillegence on anyone entering the league as a shareholder or owner.
We can negotiate a short notice period for resignation.
We can draw a line in the sand.
And then there are other things – like standards of pitch or officiating.
There’s going to be a lot of angry and confused debate about this, but, really it will all be for nothing if it doesn’t find some realistic focus.
I dread the very real possibility that our never-ending emnity for Rangers will interfere with a scenario that requires only the coolest of heads, and the most savvy operators.
JinkyvJohnGreig-saysitall says:
2 November, 2011 at 14:01
It’s just been posted on the Bring Sean Cantwell home page on Facebook that Celtic paid the rest of the cash to bring Sean home and he is travelling from France to Livingston today.
Should be quite a homecoming. I might finish work early.
Great news.
LB
JF – You are right. We both know this is end of days stuff here. The choices made will have wide ramifications for many years. It will be a simple choice between financial short-termism and maintaining sporting integrity.
I for one have no confidence at all that the governing council of a sporting league will choose to do the right thing.
There is the immediate danger of the damage to league reputation but then there is the other danger that empowers the other clubs. The tail will be wagging the dog.
It really is doomsday stuff and we better be prepared to use all of the weapons at our disposal to fight it.
New Article from RTC, hot off the press, well just posted;
http://rangerstaxcase.com/2011/11/02/borrow/
Jist had a text through from my drinking and Celtic supporting pal.
He heard about the injury list and potential squad and asked me “r u taking yer boots to the gemme ra morra”
I think this translates into English as ‘Are you taking your boots to the game tomorrow?’
I’ve always wanted the tannoy announcer to call for ‘Could anyone with their boots with them please make their way to the dressing room’.
Tomorrow could be that day or as my pal would say ‘ramoorasit’
Hail hail
Estadio
Celtic board will stay strong, have the courage of its convictions and fight the fight.
Any other position as the fingertip of fate prepares to topple over the first domino in the line is unthinkable because how else could the board justify the stance it has taken since 2003? How else could that stance be justified?
We all must remember that the SPL does not have the power to allow a Huns newco straight in. All members of the SPL must be members of the SFA first. PL is on the executive committee of the SFA and so too is President RC Ogilvie (his job would be untenable as he would have been on both Huns/mini Huns boards during their misdemeanours). PL has publicly stated (on too many times for my liking) of living within our means – Celtic debt is down to £0.5m. My assumptions based on nothing are that PLs/Celtics position will be:
1) Any new members must start at the bottom of the SFL (Div3).
2) Proper governance must strictly be adhered to.
3) New club new history.
4) Any deviation from the above Celtic walk.
The Lizard King says:
2 November, 2011 at 14:32
As well as signing players we can ill afford. Whilst we are there, sod the gazebo, I want one of these in the Triangle (Khan Shatyr in Astana). And some Moonbeams.
The Celtic board will look very stupid if a bankrupt Rangers, Hearts and any other bust club starts again in the SPL with no debt and minimal penalty.
How will their years of prudent management look then?
I can’t see it happening.
The SPL should get involved in Cricket then they can do just what they like. Cos they will anyway! HH
Livibhoy-Great news,well done for trying to publicise the bhoys plight.HH.
McNair is the greatest – “We all must remember that the SPL does not have the power to allow a Huns newco straight in”
Yes they do.
They can vote to transfer the current hun share in the SPL to newco hun. They can also vote to allow newco hun to start on any point tally in the motion.
The SFA then have to ratify any decision.
SPL first, then SFA.
Celtic_First @ 14:45
Am inclinced to think (and hope) that you’re right. Either way, unlike last year, it’s not one of those fights they can conduct behind closed doors, so it will be clear what their intentions are and if indeed they have been preparing for this moment as we all hope.
“The news that Rangers came within a few hours of having a winding up petition approved against them yesterday is quite remarkable”
WTF Did I miss yesterday or today????
Hearts situation is dramatically different from Rangers.
Romanov owns Hearts…ground, hook, line and sinker. If he walks he will probably sell Tynecastle to the highest bidder. Hearts will potentially be homeless and at last the prophetic songs will resound
“Flats, Flats, Glorious Flats
Down at Tynecastle they’re building some flats”
or The one we sang a few years back
“Are you Tesco in disguise….”
Hail Hail
Estadio
Fortunes Favour Mibbes says:
2 November, 2011 at 14:41
Haud on a minute. Enough is enough. I am being calumniated by all and sundry.
Firstly, I am a fan of Sammi.
Secondly, while I have been known to pass through Orange County on my travels, and even partake of a fish supper there, I am not from there and have never lived there.
If there is any repetition of these allegations I will be giving Whytie’s brief a bell.
!!Bada Bing!! says:
2 November, 2011 at 14:47
Thanks. It’s been a tough few weeks and emotions have been running high.
Sean is now getting home. Everything went very quiet on the subject of fundraising after the weekend and then the family asked it to cease saying they had enough. It looks like Celtic have picked up the remaining monies to be raised and are flying our Bhoy Sean home.
I just hope a mate of mine who stayed with him in France is reimbursed some cash for his outlay.
Tony Hamilton has come in for special praise from the family.
Well done Celtic.
LB
Sorry been kinda out of the loop last few days
Who did Celtic get in the league cup semi…?
Any Celtic vote on serious matters that clearly relate to Celtic’s future football and financial success or otherwise should be put to all shareholders in a Special General Meeting.
If and when such a meeting is called, shareholders will meet and debate all salient points in a way that is becoming of our great club. Then we’ll vote to throw the huns out of the league for the next 7 billion light-years.
Livibhoy,
That’s great news – well done to the fund raisers. Great to see Celtic topping up the campaign fund to get the poor lhad home as well.
PS my video yesterday wasn’t aimed at you, it was aimed at certain other mickey-takers.
Our club will need to show enormous bottle and if need be should already be briefing journalists etc. of the consequences of the SPL/SFA acting in the interest of the hun.
Árd Macha
2 November, 2011 at 14:50
McNair is the greatest – “We all must remember that the SPL does not have the power to allow a Huns newco straight in”
Yes they do.
They can vote to transfer the current hun share in the SPL to newco hun. They can also vote to allow newco hun to start on any point tally in the motion.
The SFA then have to ratify any decision.
SPL first, then SFA.
You need to be a member of SFA to become of a member of the SPL – it cannot be the other way about. It is not a chicken/egg situation.
3. Rule A2.5
Member of the SFA
Kittoch,
we got drawn against Falkirk. Ties to be played 28/29 January IIRC
HH
ernie lynch @ 14:52
Are you telling me you may resort to paying for Jack Irvine’s advice and online campaign schemes to protect the reputation of your character? :)
Intersting times ahead right enough……:)
Sammy should start ahead of Ki though. No doubt.
Now if you were a sneaky hun owner, and we know there already is one, would you not now be contacting the SPL and other clubs saying that you’ve changed your mind and now want a top flight of 18 teams as opposed to 10. If league reconstrauction meant 2 divisions instead of 4 then worse case scenario would be one or two season then back to the top flight.
Fortunes Favour Mibbes says:
2 November, 2011 at 14:56
It’s a relief. Myself and the rest of the Celtic fans in Livingston thought that this would be a long campaign.
Celtic fans all over the world donated cash. It was quite humbling for the family. I think they plan to donate any surplus monies to the hospital in Caen, France that treated Sean so well.
Never saw any video but I can take a pasting I’m a big Bhoy.
Haha
LB
Rogue Leader
See my post at 13:37 regards ‘newco’ Rangers walking back into the SPL
There are 1 or 2 major hurdles before this could be even countenanced
I’m sure that Aiden McGeady would be very happy to hear from Celticv fans. Everybody can chat with him tomorrow on Spartak’s facebook website.
If you have time tomorrow you can try to chat with Aiden. He will be there to answer questions etc.
http://www.facebook.com/fcspartak
ASonOfDan must laugh at you lot your the worst at paying anything i mean the fans yet you go on about rangers tax debt that will be sorted ive got every faith in that but you seriously need to worry about your own team sugar puff teeth (lemmon ) will be gone soon and u lot left managerless yet again hahaah by the way love the part the celtic board dealt well with the incident with the said sugar puff teeth and commons i wouldcallit covered up but hate to tell you every man and his dog knew G.I.R.U.Y
Zbyszek
I can’t speak Russian. Will Aiden be ok with the Glasgow patter?
Hail hail
Estadio
Livibhoy,
In that case:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75L5t_hh10U&feature=related
:)
RogueLeader
it goes back to what I was saying last week of us lobbying the other clubs, don’t threaten them with boycott, show them a vision of how it could be better without the huns for a couple of seasons.
I’ve been discussing with BRTH, he raised another couple of very good points. Firstly, every SPL club in debt will potentially be putting themselves in danger as no bank (or any creditor) will like it if the huns get away with little penalty with that decision being made by the football authorities, it will impact every aspect of the game, including lines of credit, existing credit facilities being withdrawn and in addition the SFA/SPL will be leaving themselves open to legal action from any creditor. Furthermore you will begin to see extreme pressure from HMRC on every club, do they want that level of scrutiny?
There is a long way to go with this and there is many potential outcomes. I hope Celtic are doing their bit by lobbying the appropriate people, we the fans and the board should be trying to highlight the ethical and moral bankruptcy of our game if the huns get to carry on with a points penalty being their only punishment. Our sport will die IF the huns getting away with it.
hh
I wish that posters on here would only post rumours they know to be facts!
:0)
roady12345 says:
2 November, 2011 at 15:04
what language was that?
Ernie -apologies for the calumny.
I thought you had posted you lived in the land of Gondwana.