The report prepared for the SPFL General Meeting alleges its chief executive, Neil Doncaster, breached his duties as a company director. His “guiding hand”, apparently, did not provide material information to clubs ahead of their vote last month, misrepresented the situation through non-disclosure, did not exercise care, skill and diligence. It concludes there is “reasonable grounds for suspecting” he breached his fiduciary duty as a director of the SPFL.
Let’s be clear on the allegation, it is weak “suspecting” he was in breach, and was qualified by the adjective, “reasonable”. Not overwhelming, indisputable or even good, just reasonably good. It is not a good start.
It is alleged the SPFL could be on the hook for £10m in refunds to broadcasters and sponsors as a result of the lower leagues being curtailed and the possibility that the Premiership is also cut short. As the latter is yet to take place, this point is not credible. Broadcasts are overwhelmingly of the top flight, which will only be cancelled when all details are correct.
It is contended that future SPFL revenues could be restricted if, in future, the SPFL parts with other marketable properties e.g. league sponsorship rights. It is clear that none of this may happen and even if it does, it is not clear what, if any, alternatives would potentially be available, as these events have not happened.
Clubs may suffer financial loss if the SPFL is subject to future financial claims, which it subsequently loses, “Why was this not disclosed?” Again, any number of future events may or may not happen. But they have not happened!!
The report then alleges clubs were erroneously told they could only receive cash by voting for the SPFL resolution. Neil Doncaster examined this point in detail on BBC Sportsound on Saturday. It was the board’s view that loans to 42 clubs were not practical and limited scope existed to provide advances to the 30 lower league clubs, as money due to those finishing bottom of each table have almost been reached with the payment made in March.
The report asserts that there will be “significant difficulty” in getting the required agreement of SKY TV to league reconstruction and that this was not disclosed to clubs. I have seen no evidence of this significant difficulty and would be astonished if Doncaster had not received positive correspondence from SKY on the matter.
On corporate governance, it is claimed that Aberdeen got an assurance from the board that the Premiership would not be called without the board consulting with Premiership clubs, that this assurance was not disclosed to all 42 clubs and this, therefore, becomes a failure of corporate governance.
Agreeing to consult before taking a decision is not often regarded as a corporate governance failure. Dare I say this is a bit of a stretch?
There is a semantic point, “Clubs were given the misleading impression that they had to vote by 5.00pm on Friday.” The SPFL email asked them to vote by that time “if possible”. Frankly, despite the lack of weight thus far, I am amazed this point reached the final report.
Not relating to these issues, the minutes of 15 SPFL meetings were “unapproved”, the board took less than 24 hours to review 118 pages of detailed notes and an update on the vote status was given on Friday 10 April, before it was complete. The latter point was definitely a Hobsons’ Choice matter, but none of this amounts to misconduct.
The SPFL’s QC’s opinion on the “Rangers [sic.], Hearts and Inverness” requisition was “leaked” to SPFL board member Ross McArthur (yes, really) and the SFA vice president Mike Mulraney. Honestly, we’re not in smoking gun territory here, are we?
Dundee’s vote gets a bit of attention. “Why was Dundee’s email address not whitelisted?” No assertion was made that this suggestion was put to the board, even by board member Stewart Robertson. And “Why was the quarantine not checked until 8.30?” I know this one! Because the vote was still open and it was only after Dundee got in touch to cancel their vote that someone realised it had already been sent.
They also challenge Dundee’s process for cancelling their vote, although not their right to cancel it. Yes, actually.
Dundee chairman, John Nelms, comes in for the heaviest treatment, although he is not in the firing line. It is alleged that in a conversation with the Partick Thistle CEO he offered to negotiate with Dundee United and Raith Rovers to forgo some of their fee payments in order to offer Partick and Stranraer a higher fee – and to try to arrange friendlies with “big-hitters”
No claim is made that Nelms was empowered by the SPFL to act in this way. He will no doubt answer for himself soon enough.
Threats were apparently made by SPFL solicitor Rod McKenzie to the CEOs of Dundee and Inverness that if they did not agree to the proposal, Championship payments would be split in 10 equal ways. This possibility was also made by Neil Doncaster on Sportsound, who made it clear that demand had been made on them, so it is not as though McKenzie was acting alone or either acted frivolously or off the record.
Douglas Park’s allegation of bullying centres on Rod McKenzie’s email to him, stating “Can we not simply resolve this by a confirmation that such an allegation will not be repeated in connection with these events and that the suggested course of action will not be proceeded with?”
I honestly put my head in my hand at this point. “Can we not simply resolve this….?” is not how bullying works. ‘Snowflake’ does not being to address this level of sensitivity. Mr Park, have some self-respect.
Uefa were approached with a joint letter from the SPFL and SFA on 4 April, when they stated “the vast majority” of clubs wanted the season curtailed. This was before the vote, so they were working on other feedback from clubs, or not at all. The former option is supported by the SPFL vote on 10 April. The report does not cite the SFA as co-conspirator, which is nice.
That’s all, folks! As a friend said earlier, go easy on them, they are a new club learning the ropes. The SPFL will enjoy a landslide win on Tuesday’s vote.
Message from HamiltonTim then Lennybhoy in memory of Helen Dunese Stewart, Minx1888:
“After the sad passing of my wife Helen (Minx 1888) on Saturday 2/05/20 the family have been inundated with offers from people wishing to send flowers or make donations to a cause. Consequently, we’re asking that donations be made to Strathcarron Hospice.”
JustGiving account for Strathcarron in memory of Helen
“Ghuys as you will know from reading CQN we recently launched the WalkwithShay Legacy Fund and set out our purpose. However, given the news of Helen’s death and on Chris launching his just giving page we would like to invite any of you that have not already donated a chance to either do so through the above just giving page or if you are unable to do so then send a donation to the WWS Legacy Fund account:
Account Name: Walk with Shay
Sort Code: 80-22-60
Account No.: 15326765
Please put your moniker as the reference. If you are unable to do either email us at walkwithshay@yahoo.com
We have already ordered flowers, done so before Chris launched the just giving page. The flowers are from you, ‘CQN’.
Helen was a massive part of the CQN family, many more worthy contributors to this blog have listed causes that she was instrumental in helping.The CQN family are second to none and always rise to the challenge, I as always have faith in you all. Helen had faith in you, please please donate via the just giving page or the WWS Legacy Fund account.
Chris’s target was £1,000 at time of this post the amount donated stands at £3,091.00
Thank you in advance CQN…
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!”
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Fess19..nope…am sure u r a hum tho 😂
H.H.
DALLAS DALLAS WHERE THE HECK IS DALLAS on 8TH MAY 2020 11:16 PM
Setting free the bears , congratulations on your win in the quiz.
We also signed the late Brian Whittaker in August 1983 much to the puzzlement of some of our support as he was not thought of as a good enough player
John Colquhoun was signed about that time too or possibly a bit later into the season.
________
I might be wrong, but I thought Colquhoun was signed at the same time as Alan McInally?
Colquhoun turned out to be a very good player for Hearts, where I think they played him in a more central role.
Talk about Brian Mcclair, two things sprung to mind. A goal he scored, against Hearts I think, where he ran from his own half, brilliant goal. The other, I think it was him, was waiting to take a penalty against the huns and one of them ran into the pitch. Mcclair just stood nonchalantly. I don’t think the guy reached him…lucky for him.
Good to read the words from Jim Spence.
Hello again all you young rebels.
Sorry for the late reply ghuys.
BGFC
Thank you for your efforts re-BIGYINMILAN.
AIPPLE.
Yes the New Zealand premier did the right thing quickly
and they look Covid free now.
The Australian premier is opening the country up now in
stages but our state premier Danial Andrews is not for wavering
the lockdown continues in Vic.
Me and most of the populace think he’s correct, but how to tell
the princess she can’t hug her weans this Sundays mothers day?
Phew! better pour masel another rid biddy.
H.H . Mick
Good morning from a sunny 🌞 North Staffs – have they been charged with bringing the game into disrepute yet.
Good morning Gene, think the bhoys are all having a long lie.
Nae chance the huns will get charged, are you furgettin.
They are the peepul.
H.H . Mick
Good morning from a dry but soon to be not dry North-East corner of the country.
Some of you may be aware that we are running a number of fund-raising initiatives shortly, one of which will be a very special Last Man Standing competition.
We have finalised all details now and a mail will be sent out this weekend to all those who have been kind enough to indicate an interest in participating. We plan to kick the competition off next weekend, with a round of games on Saturday 16 May.
If you would like to participate, or want to find out more, drop us a mail to cqnpredictor@gmail.com
Our main beneficiary from this competition will be Strathcarron Hospice, in Support of our Friend HamiltonTim’s ‘Just Giving’ page.
If you’re looking for something to occupy a little time during lockdown, please consider playing. 👍
Thanks,
Bateen Bhoy
Morning Bhoys, Jim Spence didn’t miss the huns 👍
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/1315761/jim-spence-rangers-fc-spfl/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
” The ‘smoking gun’ evidence in their 200-page dossier presented on Thursday – which they hoped would blow the lid off an SPFL board they think is out to get them – turned out to be the equivalent of alcohol-free beer.:
Jim Spence.
BADA BING
Think Jim is enjoying their pain more than we are lol.
H.H . Mick
`To reduce disruption to the match, each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game; substitutions may also be made at half-time.`
So, if the Manager wishes to use all five substitutes, he would have to make a double substitution twice ?
Good morning, friends and Happy (what would have been) Cup Final Day and our chance of a Quadruple Treble. Ho hum…
Jim Spence was hounded out his job by threats from the Gang,no support from BBC Scotland, or his colleagues. Compare the support the girl got from fellow journalists(quite rightly),after passing comment on Trump,on BBC Breakfast.
Jim Spence lost his job around the huns liquidation time because
he told the truth about the huns not being the same team
He has every right to be pleased
In a BBC article re Coping with Corona, I found this interesting:
`Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts.`
Some on CQN have mentioned anxiety. That quote might help.
The Courier deserves praise for continuing with the bold Jim. Too many crumble under fear of reprisals from the Hunnish establishment in Scotland.
CRC
Could you email me , please?
I have something for you ( Sounds a bit Nightmare on Elm Street – ish :-)) ).
Look at the group (if they are still there ) under the trees. This gives me hope that some form of `normality` is not too far away:
https://www.webcamtaxi.com/en/china/macau/largo-do-senado-square.html
https://twitter.com/mattmfm/status/1258750892448387074?s=12
US VP gives a helping hand…..
Think wee spency has been waiting on this for a long time
HS-there’s hardly any spaces left under the tree
Good morning CQN from an overcast but dry at the moment Garngad
Oh how the zombies are hurting.😂 and it’s hilarious
What we need this week is for a strong SPFL leadership to say Glasgow Celtic are Champions again
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Our celebrations (in our own homes obviously) will be highlited by the zombie club and its supporters protestations and I for one will love every feckin minute.😂😂😂
Then they can have their root and branch clear out of SFA/SPFL as they are all corrupt as feck to help 1 club that reside at a Victorian bigot domed lavvy on Edmundsun Drive.
D. :)
This title will be the most enjoyable of the 9 when thinking of the
crap going on the last few weeks
My own wee quiz, 9th May.
In glorious sunshine in Glasgow, can you remember where you were on this date in 1998. ?
I’ll never forget that day.
Cheers and HH. 🌈🌈🌈
HOT SMOKED on 9TH MAY 2020 9:13 AM
`To reduce disruption to the match, each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game; substitutions may also be made at half-time.`
So, if the Manager wishes to use all five substitutes, he would have to make a double substitution twice ?
My take is that each team can make 3 substitutions during the game, but another 1 or 2 at half time ~ but it’s no very clear!
HH
Morning login
Ziggydoc thanks for the reply.
Alan McInally was signed at the end of the 1983/84 season ,making his first appearance in Lou Macari’s testimonial.
I’m certain John Colquhoun was signed in 1983 about September or October. The first game I remember him playing in was in a win at Tynecastle. Davie Provan was injured and John was his cover.
New subs rule. Surely subs are still allowed for injuries. Which means a tactical sub can still happen by telling a player to be “injured”
Ziggydoc , when we got those two penalties against Rangers , Choccy was asked by a journalist what did the Rangers fan say to you. Brian replied , I don’t know, I don’t speak the same language as him.
Brian didn’t half hammer those two penalties into the net.
When Brian moved to Man U , the Manchester press thought his Knick name was Jocky as he was Scottish. That gave me a laugh and the press down there have got even worse like our own.
Cliff Clavin CSC.
Good morning CQN…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
N,L & M
The `also` suggests your interpretation is correct.
Pity there are no games at the moment or we could have had a bit of a laugh as managers unintentionally broke the Rules !
Supersutton
I don`t think the new rules require the pretence of injury. It is just that there can now be five subs instead of three but the game can only be halted three times ( for each side ) to make those substitutions.That being so, to use all five substitutions would require either making double substitutions during the game or making the changes at half-time……..I think !
DALLAS DALLAS WHERE THE HECK IS DALLAS on 9TH MAY 2020 10:30 AM
Ziggydoc thanks for the reply.
Alan McInally was signed at the end of the 1983/84 season ,making his first appearance in Lou Macari’s testimonial.
I’m certain John Colquhoun was signed in 1983 about September or October. The first game I remember him playing in was in a win at Tynecastle. Davie Provan was injured and John was his cover.
______
You’re correct on the dates. Lou Macari testimonial, that was a great day, unlike my only other visit to Old Trafford for the Rapid Vienna game. I think man United were at Tannadice on the same night.
Jim Spence, a likable guy who spoke the truth. Pity there aren’t more like him. Hun ‘dossier’, haha, blowing up spectacularly.
Bike time.
Cheerio for now.
https://youtu.be/vrW5E9z4ds8
This is brilliant Bhoys
Sevco have constantly made a loss of..
£30,000 per day.. every day,
over £200,000 per week… every week,
nearly £1m per month every month.
They have football debts of £25m+
Amazing that these incompetent bigots are allowed to question anyone else’s business practices and spout their moronic crap without anyone mentioning this.
I wondered when the singing qc would offer his impartial services between SPFL and thems . Just another scam . How can he be impartial . They will get off Scot free , when the governing body should be hammering them for there involvement in this sham . Leaving them free to have another go sometime down the line . Get them dealt with .
Interesting
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bQDPQ8bz7cU
Non football related, but shows the difference in response to current situation
Check the complete and utter hypocrisy of Scotland’s newest club:
Rangers then The Rangers now
LNS so narrow it was doomed to failure SPFl your investigation was too narrow
in-house Charles Green investigation We demand an independent investigation
titles awarded fairly absolutely the ninth title is tainted even though they earned it.
We demand to know we won’t present evidence until the last minute
who these people are?
The list goes on and on, please feel free to add.