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. BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 15TH APRIL 2023 11:59 AM

     

    15 April 1916.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Two games in one day?

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Wow.

     

     

    ——————–

     

     

    I am almost certain this hapened twice during the 1st ww.

     

     

    i think our record defeat 8-0 at motherwell was a secong game on that day i am away to find out, report back later

  2. So Beale admits he was wrong to criticise the ref for Jota non handball. Beale also criticises the threats the sevco fans made against the ref.

     

    I wonder what answer he gets when he adds 2 + 2?

  3. Hibs v Hearts game not being shown live apart from PPV, Sky really don’t care about Scottish football

  4. Malachy Duffin on

    An Tearmann on 15th April 2023 2:57 am

     

     

    Woke:

     

     

    A state of awareness only achieved by those dumb enough to find injustice in everything except their own behaviour.

  5. Tom McLaughlin on

    MCPHAIL BHOY

     

     

    Sky broadcast Ross County v Aberdeen last night and are covering Kilmarnock v Celtic tomorrow.

  6. Sky once again treating Scottish football as an after thought.

     

     

    I was looking forward to watching hibs v hearts only to see its not on.

     

     

    I even placed a wee bet on hearts ( I know, but I’m not betting on hibs) to keep my interest.

  7. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Standard rules, guidance and question template for a Celtic media conference.

     

     

    Hi ,

     

     

    This sorta thing I am thinking about, do you …. er …. kinda think this thing I am thinking about is … er … maybe a great thing because it would kinda be a great thing if it happened and … er …

     

     

    [ AT THIS POINT, THE QUESTION, AFTER AN OVERLY LONG AND FRUITLESS EXISTENCE, STARTS TO DIE DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN ]

     

     

    Is that something you might … er … .. sorta feel good about?

     

     

    [ IMPORTANT : The Questioner,

     

     

    …. upon realising they’ve been talking too long

     

     

    … MUST deliver the last part of the question as a diminuendo to a feeble last syllable …

     

     

    … to then be followed by a moment’s silence while the manager or player asks themselves

     

     

    “what is that person on about?” ]

  8. DESIGNS Drawn Up For Bigger Gig Venue Next To Celtic Park

     

    15 April, 2023 | Arts, Leisure, Entertainment and Sport

     

     

    Facebook

     

    Twitter

     

     

    NEW proposals for a purpose-built music and events venue beside Celtic Park have been submitted for planning approval.

     

     

    New designs drawn up for G40 Events Ltd show a building with capacity for 940 people that would be built on vacant land next to 1257 London Road, including part of Dalriada Street.

     

     

     

     

    Glasgow City Council already gave planning permission in March 2020 for a venue with space for 700 people at the site.

     

     

    A document included with the new application states: “The proposed venue would be hosting a multitude of different events ranging from live music, corporate dinners, weddings, fashion shows, food and drink events.

     

     

    “The proposals aim to provide a modestly sized venue of 940-person capacity that is to host primarily commercial music events but with the dual purpose of becoming a recreational space for the immediate Parkhead community.

     

     

    “The proposal will be supported by high quality bar and necessary ancillary facilities to host large gatherings along with complementary external amenity ‘yard’ space with temporary external street food or music events.”

     

     

     

    It continues: “The site has an existing consent for a live music venue. The landowner is seeking to develop these proposals and create a more modern and distinctive identity for the venue.

     

     

    “The proposal will create a simple and elegant building form that makes a positive contribution to London Road and the wider context.”

     

     

    https://www.reglasgow.com/designs-drawn-up-for-bigger-gig-venue-next-to-celtic-park/

  9. Tom McLaughlin on

    Looks like a great atmosphere at Easter Road. Hoping for a Hibs win if only to keep Livingston out of the top 6.

  10. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 15TH APRIL 2023 12:32 PM

     

    Looks like a great atmosphere at Easter Road. Hoping for a Hibs win if only to keep Livingston out of the top 6.

  11. GP 10.03an & AT 11.30am

     

     

    Cheers …. lovely service now in the Geo where my mums 80th was, our wedding and ma wee yins communion … magic having loads of family celebrating a life … tears turn to laughter

     

     

    AT

     

     

    The family tree is on my bucket list, 3 older cousins and they’re grown up kids are here for the weekend

     

     

    Hail Hail

  12. Malachy Duffin.

     

     

    Yet another expression of your own inability to handle the info age.more self analysis Malachy

     

    Nowt changed in my view from 2.37.

     

    Your angry mate,and its seeping oot yi.

     

     

    HH

  13. Malachy Duffin on

    An Tearmann on 15th April 2023 1:35 pm

     

     

    Angry?

     

     

    Hardly, i, along with many others on here have been laughing at your half baked monologues for the past eighteen months.

     

     

    You’re trying too hard, it comes across that you have some sort of inferior complex and it’s actually makes you look even more intellectually retarded than what i imagine you actually are.

     

     

    I look forward to your reply though as i am sure that you will need to have the last word, another tiresome trait of yours on here champ.

     

     

     

    In the future, scroll by gasúr. :-)

  14. Tom McLaughlin on

    JACKIEMAC

     

    If I was Eddie Howe I wouldn’t accept any invites to an embassy

     

     

    What’s that about?

  15. Well that’s Villa, who I always had a soft spot for since “Packie” McParland played for them, in the top 6, see what happens when you have a decent coaching staff.

  16. Prestonpans bhoys on

    Fanadpatriot

     

     

    Was their penalty deserved or was it another hun falling in the box?

  17. Tobago Street on

    TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 15TH APRIL 2023 2:13 PM

     

    JACKIEMAC

     

     

    If I was Eddie Howe I wouldn’t accept any invites to an embassy

     

     

    What’s that about?

     

     

    JAMAL KHASHOOGI

     

     

    T

  18. bigrailroadblues on

    Uncle Jimmy 3.02

     

    Too right, the times I’ve avoided the wrath of Mrs BRRB. 😁

  19. Difficult to believe St Mingin could do less than nothing but they are giving it a damn good try