The affordability of ethics

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Who is in the mood for some virtue signalling this afternoon? English Premier League teams yesterday agreed to prohibit gambling advertising on the front of their shirts. This is a gesture towards the ethical lobby which for the major clubs is practically costless. Gambling ads can remain on the shirt sleeves (or elsewhere) or displayed prominently on hoardings.

Most crucially, the EPL’s main TV partner will continue to drown their EPL coverage with promotions of their in-house gambling platform. Sky Bet rubs up against other gambling companies, who can call on partisanship to promote loyalty. It would be better for Sky if such competition was shoved to the margins and what’s better for Sky usually has a way of becoming better for the EPL. The game there will do no more than shrug at this decision.

The EPL has a global reach and top clubs attract brands who can benefit from international coverage. Airlines, telecoms, software and financial services brands are on all the most valuable shirts. Newly valuable Newcastle has a gambling sponsor, but they have not troubled European tournaments in a decade; next time they will hook an advertiser with a global reach.

Brands with global reach don’t travel up the M74, we do not have the profile they look for. The overwhelming extent of Celtic’s media coverage is in the domestic market; what we wear on our shirts, reflects us, or to be more specific, our vices.

Saying, “No gambling or alcohol partnerships” is an easy virtue signal to send out, but it is no more than that, especially from those support the drink and gambling industries with their custom, or serve alcohol in their bars and restaurants. “Yes, I would like a bet/drink, but my club really should take its lead from someone else.”

As with many ethical questions, this one is not as clear as it seems and that’s before we thrown the fuel of commercial realities and the pressure of winning, that you and I are more than happy to pour into the mix. Still, it’s an easy virtual signalling opp.

Where to start on the six match ban for headbutting a coach after a match when the victim is looking the other way? Acts of physical agression should not take place between coaches, never mind an assault such as this. Missing a month’s worth of games does not reach the deterrent threashold.

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342 Comments

  1. The contrast of the Onion Berz message to fans for the Cup semi final and they of the Green Brigade speaks volumes about the 2 clubs.

     

     

    Aside for the word ‘huns’ which I personally despise, I do think the GB message re wearing the hoops is a positive and inclusive one. It’s about a pride in our club and in our strip.

     

     

    The Onion Berz message is narrow and about defending their tradition, about Protestantism and therefore excluding many. It is staunch in extremis and even calls on support for an as yet uncrowned monarch.

     

     

    None of this will matter if our team turn up on the day and wipe the floor with them.

     

     

    Ange and Alistair can take credit for 2 very positive press conferences today also. Huge respect for Ange dealing with the Clancy question so well.

  2. BRRB

     

    Probably right; Colchester are a load of barracks though

     

     

    Paulsthroughball

     

     

    55 titles really are something money can’t buy; got given it for a spot of goat worrying

  3. Anyone want a laugh this fine Friday, go compare the green brigade statement regarding wearing green & white at Hampden, with the onion bares one. Hilarious.

  4. BURNLEY78 on 14TH APRIL 2023 6:08 PM

     

     

    The Onion Berz message is z laughing stock on Celtic media.

     

     

    Check the spelling :- Portestant

     

     

    Embarrassing in content and Embarrassing in spelling.

     

    Tee Hee.

     

     

    HH.

  5. B78

     

     

    Those guys never wear hoops though, same as the men in black lads they dummy fight with

     

     

    Very ironic 😎

  6. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Where’s Raman Barfwaj these days? Not heard him at the manager’s presser for a while.

     

     

    Is he in the huff?

  7. GREENPINATA on 14TH APRIL 2023 6:16 PM

     

    BURNLEY78 on 14TH APRIL 2023 6:08 PM

     

     

     

    The Onion Berz message is z laughing stock on Celtic media.

     

     

    Check the spelling :- Portestant

     

     

    Embarrassing in content and Embarrassing in spelling.

     

     

    Tee Hee.

     

     

    HH.

     

     

     

     

    I blame the schools …

  8. Camusbhoy

     

     

    Sky/ultimate global corporate ownership is an interesting question Camusbhoy

     

     

    It’s their game 2012 showed that.continuity fc evolved into ol frim fc.

     

    Look at the issues currently not answered.

     

    1.number of sky Scottish subscribers

     

    2.in Eufa split the calculation of of CL breakdown

     

    3.why not be transparent and broadcast the convo’s with all officials involved.like the ones Andy W referred to.

     

    Hope all well wi you and lad

     

    Ps.i don’t subscribe to any TV co.but what they don’t report is at times more valid as the clichés they fall into.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    HH

  9. BIGRAILROADBLUES on 14TH APRIL 2023 4:58 PM

     

    Scullybhoy

     

     

     

     

    I’ve asked my mates in Vicky Bar, no idea. Spill the beans fella. 😁

     

    ———————————————————————————-

     

     

    ‘My Mates’

     

    I think your stretching a bit. :)

     

     

    Ballroom dancers more like.

     

     

    And before you reply.

     

     

    Who asked you?

     

     

    HH

  10. 67 million to be won on Euromillions tonight. A good number for Celtic fans. Big Jimmy will give you the numbers – tomorrow. Only kidding..only kidding.

  11. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Have to laugh again at BBC Scotland.

     

     

    Their main takeaway from our manager’s presser is about Kevin Clancy, which has nothing directly to do with Celtic.

     

     

    Meanwhile not a mention of it in their story from Micky’s presser, only soothing words for the Orcs that everything will be ok in the summer.

  12. BURNLEY78

     

    Carling did increase their market share enormously in Scotland after sponsoring both teams.

  13. !!Bada Bing!! on

    Huns punting Season Tickets already……tag line we are always Roaring….

     

     

    I thought Lions always Roar……the gift that keeps giving

  14. Tom McLaughlin on

    Looking forward to Celtic scoring their 100th league goal at Rugby Park on Sunday.

     

     

    Who will it be? Kyogo, Jota, Callum, Maeda, Mooy?

     

     

    Exciting times to be a Celtic supporter.

  15. I’ve stated on here that while sport has rules it has no morals.

     

    Nor does it have ethics.

     

    It does have a price though…..

  16. As i eatch the Ross county game its amazing how their plauers ate not falling over every 5 mins as they do against us…Mmmm

     

     

    Almost as if they get told to do that by 1 of the worst managers in Scotland.

     

     

    D :)

  17. Burnley78 2.32

     

     

    Did it make anyone drink more lager ? It didn’t.

     

     

    B78 –

     

     

    it does begs the question why advertise?

     

    What are you hookin?

     

    There is no connection Sport & Alcohol practically performance wise?is there?

     

     

    Don’t get me wrong I understand the social connection but not on hoops.thats just me.:-)

     

     

    Marketing-bill hicks :-))

     

    https://youtu.be/tHEOGrkhDp0

     

     

    HH