We told you back in October last year that Rangers were likely to be liquidated and a Newco FC would be formed, which the SPL would vote back into the league. Today the SPL issued terms of how the deed will be done as they issued 8 resolutions to be voted on later this month.
The key resolution is 2A, which establishes a procedure to phoenix a Newco into the place of an ex-club. Crucially, this resolution only requires the support of 8 SPL clubs, all 12 of whom will be eligible to vote at the meeting. 5 clubs would be needed to block this proposal and right now there is only one willing to do so.
Resolutions are as follows:
Resolution 1 proposes an increase in the sporting sanction (points deduction) on any Club which suffers or is subject to an Insolvency Event from 10 points to the greater of 15 points and 1/3 of the Club’s SPL points in the preceding season.
This resolution increases the penalties imposed following an insolvency event, it requires the support of 8 clubs to be carried and should be supported.
Resolution 2A proposes further sporting sanctions in the event that any Club undergoes an Insolvency Transfer Event (i.e. transfers its share in the SPL to a new company where this occurs because of the insolvency of the transferor) of 10 points in each of two consecutive seasons from the Insolvency Transfer Event.
This resolution provides for an ‘Insolvency Transfer Event’, defining what happens when a club ceases to exist and a Newco FC is formed. No provisions currently exist for such a scenario and I see no reasons to introduce any. The resolution requires the support of 8 clubs to be carried and must be opposed.
Resolution 2B proposes revisions to the fee payment arrangements i.e. SPL fees to any Club which has undergone an Insolvency Transfer Event will be reduced by 75% in each of three consecutive seasons from the Insolvency Transfer Event.
This resolution provides for a financial penalty in the event the Insolvency Transfer Event resolution is voted through and requires the support of 11 clubs. This is an outrageous and arbitrary increase in support required to impose financial sanctions. All an Insolvency Transfer club needs is the support of one other club to halt financial penalties.
If resolution 2A is passed, resolution 2B should be subject to the same voting criteria and must be supported. The SPL must ensure a financial penalty is imposed for financial misdeeds.
Resolution 3 proposes extending sporting sanctions where an Insolvency Event is suffered by a Group Undertaking of a Member Club of the SPL (Group Undertaking is defined in Section 1161(5) of the Companies Act 2006).
This resolution confirms insolvency events at group owner level are applicable to the club, requires the support of 8 clubs and should be supported.
Resolution 4 proposes updates and extensions to the definition of Insolvency Event in the SPL Rules.
I assume this is an administrative requirement and needs the support of 8 clubs.
Resolution 5 proposes updates and extensions to the definition of Insolvency Event in the SPL Articles and clarifies the process in the event that a Member which is the subject of an Insolvency Event is required to transfer its share in the Company.
This is a technical resolution defining how clubs lose or transfer their share in the League. It requires the support of 11 clubs but it is not clear if has any consequence, more than clarifying administrative procedures.
Resolution 6 proposes a specific requirement in the SPL Rules that Clubs must pay their Players in terms of their Contracts of Service on due dates and places a duty on any Club to report any failure to pay its Players in a timely manner to the SPL. Failure to pay Players and / or to notify such failure to the SPL would be a breach of SPL Rules.
This resolution should enhance fair play, requires the support of 8 clubs and should be supported.
Resolution 7 proposes a requirement in the SPL Rules that Clubs report to the SPL any failure to make payments to HMRC in respect of PAYE and NIC (a Default Event). Any Club suffering such a Default Event will be subject to a Player Registration Embargo. Any failure to report a Default Event shall be a breach of the SPL Rules.
This resolution prohibits clubs in tax arrears from signing players, requires the support of 8 clubs and should be supported.
If only they would pay their taxes we would not need to bother with any of this.
More on the consequences of these proposals later.
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Switched off SSB already as Keevins opened it by stating that this is a disaster for Rangers as it would leave them financially crippled for years. No mention of years of cheating, no mention of the loaded voting system, no mention of moral integrity. We need to garner support from other fans (what forum is there for this?) and the national press, Channel Four, Guardian etc? That pincer movement may just shame some of the clubs into voting these changes out.
Oh, by the bye, congratulations to Ross County on their promotion.
When you think about it, the utterly flagrantly public nature of this is shocking: RFC are about to walk away from 130million pounds of debt – whilst incurring no significant sporting or financial penalty.
This money is owed to football clubs at home and abroad.
It is owed to the taxpayers of their city. To the police and the ambulancemen. Even to the local newsagent.
It is criminal – no other word for it. Criminal. And a government in Westminster and one in Edinburgh, both cutting services to the bone are going to do nothing about it?
Time for Celtic to make a statement. If we be, in a well worn phrase, “ourselves alone”, then so be it. But this cannot pass without us going to war with the SPL and the club chairmen who are proposing to save this rancid club.
I can’t say I’m surprised… can only urge that we don’t revel in rage, before succumbing to the inevitable. One way or another we are likely to see a Rangers or some sort participating in the SPL, that we continue to deny this certainty or hope (actually hope without thought or action) that it might end up different, more fair, is growing a little weak.
Done with Scottish football are you? Well Celtic don’t, currently, have that option, and I’m with Celtic. I will not punish the team, the manager or even our board (who give renewed meaning to the word dignified), and especially not those future fans who will, like me, trawl through the books and wonder what kind of team we had, and how spectacularly well supported they are/were… not for the sins of others.
There are a couple of upsides to consider today, though;
We no longer have anything left to lose, nor much reason to wait (although, I think we will, just a bit longer) before we too take advantage of this situation. After all every other party in Scottish football has shamelessly used this opportunity to improve their own lot. The gang of ten went on the attack early, perhaps needing a head start to hide their notable weakness, but when Celtic go on the ‘attack’ we will pack a heavy punch. Celtic’s problem, I suspect, is us. We will give Rangers an opportunity to return to the league, even if that burst some folks heids. Hopefully we want to do that on terms favourable to Celtic. All in all a delicate situation Handily we can now take the gloves off, or at least when we do there’s little reason anyone could credibly find to criticise us.
The other thing we should be interested in today is the weakness being exposed by the other ten clubs. I think we forget too easily that something close to a majority of the 10 are in dire financial straights, at least 2 of whom are at serious risk of an ‘insolvency transfer event’ themselves, and the tipping point for 2 or 3 others must be close enough to keep some SPL chairman awake at night.
Of course they aren’t going demand death for Rangers, when there is a real prospect a similar fate awaits them. One that many of them, perhaps incorrectly, are certain would only hasten in a Rangerless (potential new name for the newco) SPL.
I only mention all this because it would be useful if we could de-personalise things for a moment. There are some very significant motivations at play here, many of which are at odds, none of which have even a little to do with cabal’s, or establishment views. For almost everyone involved their personal motives will be far ahead of any allegiance that may affect their judgement.
Honestly, I don’t know what Celtic would be able or willing to do. However, there isn’t going to be much room for angry over-reactions or… jeezo, please consider how it sounds when you say you’d rather Celtic had no league than this one… is this an adult reaction to disappointment in your career or home life or just your life in general. There’s a thousand reasons we don’t give up.
And so, if that’s the best you’ve got I just don’t think it’s worthy. Why would you reveal such an unflattering character flaw so openly.
No, Celtic will go on. Those who give up in the face of adversity aren’t worthy. I don’t remember a time when I thought we weren’t up against it, in fact I remember times much, much worse than today.
To the people saying they will no longer attend Celtic games
Get a grip. Laughable.
Support your champions.
ernie lynch on 11 April, 2012 at 17:57 said:
How would the Celtic board have been complicit?
Complicit in Rangers tax evasion.?
Complicit in corrupt and incompetent business practices at another club?
Complicit in the incorrect registration of players?
All of these things which led to their nearest rivals having a distinct and material advantage on the field, which ultimately cost us millions in revenue.
So, assuming that’s not what you meant and you are referring to these current proposals and the Board’s response to them.
I notice you suggest the nuclear option. I take it you remember ernie, why we didn’t have a nuclear war?
MAD
Mutually Assured Destruction.
It is insanity to suggest that the officers of the board of any company, or any individual, would engage in a game of chicken which could involve them going out of business, without first having an alternate plan should such a scenario arise.
Putting the emotion aside ernie, you know that there is a limited amount Celtic can do to oppose this. They can vote against it all day long, but if they’re outnumbered? That’s democracy, corrupt or otherwise.
Everyone’s preferred option is to play in another league. Celtic are not in a position to storm round Europe demanding entry to another country’s competition. Any option here is many years away.
Cheers
Yogi
Headtheball at 18:14
Was going to add “who has treated them with contempt”.
And when all Duff and Duffer’s bluster is over, it’s Whyte who gets to decide who becomes newco with their automatic place in the SPL.
setting free the bears on 11 April, 2012 at 18:14 said:
”Wee Hughie on Clyde”
I heard a bit of him the other night.
He reckoned the huns had been found guilty of owing tax and the FTT tribunal was only dealing with the level of penalty to be applied.
So, on a story that’s been at the top of the agenda for twelve months, and has been endlessly discussed and disected, he still didn’t have even a basic understanding of what it’s about.
The guy’s an eejit.
Bhoys and Ghirls, calm down.
TheCelticOne
Support your champions.
When my champions become the equivalent of Hulk Hogan I have a right to question whether my money should be spent elsewhere.
SPL doing as SPL does
Shameless
And
SFA currently being run by the very definition of a conflict of interest
What next ? A resolution allowing a newco to adopt the previous honours of an oldco ?
Sickened but not surprised
Strangely the inmates on FF are calling for bhoycots of away games if these proposals are implemented. Well done Neil Doncaster, you’ve united the cheats and the cheated against your hair brained scheme.
yogijunior3 on 11 April, 2012 at 18:20 said:
If Celtic threatened to resign and apply for the vacancy in the third division what would the other clubs do?
What would Sky do?
If this goes through the huns would lose some prize money for three years. Assuming they finished second each year how much would that be?
I’m guessing a hell of a lot less than the £100,000,000 or so they could write off
Guys
I can already see the warning signs – there’s gonna be a battle on here tonight – amongst fans of the SPL champions.
Let’s be careful and respectful of each other.
U
Has the sky deal been signed as yet?
If not then a pronged attack.
Refuse to sign the sky deal
Refuse to play der hun
Refuse to sell tickets for away games
Actively support an away day boycott.
Hurts everyone in the pocket
Allan Preston on shortbread hits nail on head. Why now. Why not when Motherwell or Gretna went into admin??
After an absence of about a week,i return to read about this corrupt cabal,that is Scottish football.
I have said before Bhoycott all away games,but i must admit i will have to read more,as i think we may have to have a more concertive approach to this .Slan
Italiabhoy. Fella what we are watching here is the power of the Masonic Lodge and the Orange Order who are well entrentched in the Scottish establishment.They know no shame.Rules will be twisted rules will be forgotten rules will be changed to ensure they remain in the SPL.We have to remember the size of there debts and ask what will stop Rangers Newco for cheating as the old Rangers did it certainly wont be the authorities.If you decide not to pay any tax for 12 months do you think you will get off scott free ? H.H.
Aye….The ocean goes up and the ocean goes doon.
Right now we are between two big rollers, soon to rise to the crest of another ‘yin.
There will be good news then…I’m sure.
Stay positive amigos.
El Teuchter
I’m phoning Sky to find out how much a WWF season ticket costs.
Serge on 11 April, 2012 at 17:57 said:
Thanks brother.
Cheers
Yogi
TheCelticOne on 11 April, 2012 at 18:18 said:
Why would anyone support any club that could have stopped this proposal but didn’t?
I won’t be supporting Old Firm Celtic if this goes ahead.
MayoD on 11 April, 2012 at 18:21 said:
I will NEVER turn my back on Celtic.
Hate Rangers more than you love Celtic? If so then hopefully someone like me will take your seat.
Fek sake we have just won the league. I am still in celebration mode and you lot are ready for chucking it.
Hail Hail
The sense of entitlement in the huns is truly amazing. The rules of the SPL are being rewritten with the sole intention of allowing a Newco in with modest sanctions – and their response is to complain at those sanctions.
BontyBhoy
I don’t understand your post. You seem to be regretting the injustice done to our club by these SPL proposals.
Yet, this was exactly the same set of proposals which you advanced when you appeared on CQN earlier this year. You wanted a period of points penalty (faux-penalty in view of UEFA’s rules) over a few years. How can you now be lamenting your own proposal and denigrating those who think the game is not worth the candle if this is how it is played.
No-one here will lose their love for Celtic but, if we remain in a league that is corrupt, we are tainted by it. We lose our innocence and we become complicit if we go on as before. That does not mean we resign without a destination. It does not mean we punish ourselves. But, if my club does not fight this with every ounce of its strength, then I will lose faith in those office-bearers and will react accordingly.
ernie lynch on 11 April, 2012 at 18:26 said:
How could Celtic stop it?
Please explain with facts, in detail and prove your outlandish claims.
Celtic will act. They will make their position known but they will not stop this without help of other clubs.
ernie lynch on 11 April, 2012 at 17:40 said:
A boycott will achieve nothing.
There’s is nothing we, as Celtic fans, can do.
Didn’t the Celtic fans manage to achieve a change of board?
Depriving these teams of Celtic fans money, won’t have an impact on them?
It’s just not cricket….
It’s business; packaged and presented as Sport.
The Green Pound is the Bottom Line.
For all concerned. Friend, Foe and Ho.
It’s the Heart and Soul of the matter.
To forget that is to be misguided.
Roll out the Newco: St Mungo Football Club.
That might work.
This league has been corrupt for years, the SPL/SFA have always been biased towards our club and now this.
I won’t be back if these proposals are accepted.
Celtic get yer arse in gear and come out now.
Gordon J – Yip , is it their stupidity or arrogance, or a mixture of both that sees them condemn this outrageous bending of the rules in their favour.
As soon as Doncaster started talking about Parma and Leeds and Fiorentina it was obvious that he was looking for a way of keeping them alive.
Sadly I fear we will never be rid of them.
1) Posted earlier (sorry dont remember who) – sfa/spl/uefa met recently to discuss the hun predicament – only thing reported from that meeting was, they agreed confidentiality.
questions
a) are the board aware of any agreements made at said meeting ?
b) is uefa’s position compromised ?
This has been a very predictable outcome and I believe should have been prepared for – has it ?
2) Awe_Naw has been making the point that the board must abstain to refuse toe vote any legitimacy in our name.
I’ll raise Awe_Naw with –
The board should make a statement that they will not be attending any meeting on the 20th of April or voting on the proposals, as we believe the agenda is set to compromise the integrity of the game in scotland. CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB will have to consider our options on the veracity of remaining a member club, at the risk of having our plc brand associated with irregularities pertaining to financial fair play.
We will monitor the situation closely and consider which options we will operate when the proposals are dealt with.
What was it someone tweeted about putting them all on a ship and sinking it…sounds good to me..if we get to the cup final,leave it empty…last day of the season,don’t entertain them at CP..
ItaliaBhoy on 11 April, 2012 at 18:08 said:
Spot on on refusing our ticket allocation. Our “tricolour moment” as another poster commented. Some may say it’s cutting our nose off to spite our face and they may be right, but I’m all for reaching for the knife. It’s the right thing to do.
If the others die without our money fine. Kilmarnock, Dunfermline, St Johnstone…one by one, each club who votes this sham through deserves their fate.
They will have to be replaced with even poorer teams from the first division but at least we will be standing up for what is right. The first division teams really can’t be much worse anyway.
Never seen this site before, but it was just posted on twitter
SPL reduce scottish football to farce
Don’t know what I think about a boycott, I need time to think (and anyway it’s none of my business because i’m too far away to go to games these days) but I’m glad to know that the outrage is countrywide.
TheCelticOne on 11 April, 2012 at 18:26 said:
MayoD on 11 April, 2012 at 18:21 said:
”I will NEVER turn my back on Celtic”
If the board allow this to go ahead Celtic will have turned its back on us.
Cheats win in all walks of life. Innocent victims and bystanders get hurt, walked over, used and abused every day all over the world. In Iran, families were killed in their beds and it’s called collateral damage. Soldiers get killed by their own infantry and it’s called friendly fire. There is always an excuse for the perpetrators of crimes when committed by the Establishment.
The Masters of Scottish Football do not care what we think, what we do, where we go – our club is a third class citizen, it is an unwelcome guest that upsets the other guests by its mere presence. I’m sure they would be happy to see our green pound go down the drain if it meant we went with it.
They would love us to resign, to disappear, to go and play
TheCelticOne on 11 April, 2012 at 18:26 said:
MayoD on 11 April, 2012 at 18:21 said:
I won’t be turning my back on Celtic either. What has my club done to deserve that?