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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I think Budgie will turn out to be the canary in the coal mine.
There’s probably more ammunition in the sevco dossier for the Banter Years than there is against the SPFL.
“Bullied into Silence” what a joke – do they not realize that we all love their inane ramblings and the last thing we want is for them to se silenced! Lockdown is tough – but without sevco statements it would be intolerable.
Page 14 of Sevco Dossier…………….. ‘then Celtic won the league when we were In the banter years’
My Goodness, to back up Phil’s claim about Scottish Journalists obediently regurgitating anything from their Ibrox Paymasters……enter Gary Ralston:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-dossier-claims-full-spfl-21990723
the link is from the DR and if you don’t want to click on it then basically its just a DR journo called Gary Ralston simply endorsing everything in the dossier and more or less saying well done the rangers.
Page 104 of Sevco Dossier………………..then Jim Traynor spotted the guy under wee Alfie’s Lamborghini
worth a listen…
https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/james-obrien/coruscating-monologue-uk-response-coronavirus/
Braw
GREENPINATA on 7TH MAY 2020 2:28 PM
Ernie, Bhoys & Ghirls,
Re : Football Insurance.
As anticipated by many on here, footie in Germany has presently been cleared for a restart on May 16th.
How have they addressed the Insurance dilemma, which has been obviously equated ?
#####
A crazy decision. And a very weak one. Financial interests of football clubs, broadcasters and betting organisations obviously more important than public health.
No idea about the insurance of players, and there is no detail anywhere about anything, so nothing is obvious.
ernie lynch
If I didn’t know better I would say that it looks like the Germans are trying to steal a march on their neighbours.
ROCK TREE BHOY
Ralston is a dyed in the wool hun. Ex- rangers news I think.
All you need to know, google Gary Ralston rangers news.
As I’m sure NEUSTADT-BRAW will testify Germany is massive on insurance. You need insurance for everything, folk have been known to sue visitor’s to their house for braking a vase – I kid you not.
When Gütersloh was hit by massive golf ball sized hail virtually every car was damaged, we had 2, and the insurance companies paid up no questions asked. If it was an old car it was written off.
You can be guaranteed ALL German Clubs have insurance cover for virtually everything.
Braking = breaking.
Cheers Ernie,
Even I didn’t think resumption would be this quick.
German efficiency ????
Hearts fans should be asking Budgie,why they are backing this nonsense
The stand?
Embdae know if Celtic have this insurance? And if we do,does it cover gate money, wages…..?
What a waste of everyone’s time. Nothing new, nothing revealing and no smoking gun.
Embarrassing doesn’t even come close …..
KTF
Malcolm Tucker spotted at Ibrox….
PÓGMATHONYAHUN AKA LAIRD OF THE SMILES on 7TH MAY 2020 3:57 PM
Might the German state be providing insurance cover?
!!BADA BING!! on 7TH MAY 2020 4:09 PM
‘Malcolm Tucker spotted at Ibrox….’
###
I very much f***ing doubt it.
CELTIC MAC on 7TH MAY 2020 3:43 PM
There will be a lot of people outside Germany paying to watch the games.
In event of claims I expect insurance companies will try to pin it on third parties such as SPFL
See if I owned a football club or any business and there was another club who, with absolutely nothing to gain other than playing up to their fans, were putting jobs and it’s very existence in jeapordy by delaying an inevitable outcome, I can safely say I would be bullying, coercing AND threatening them.
However, all I can see is normal lobbying at the most but more likely just general phone calls.
Absolute clowns.
The latest revelation from ‘The Rangers’ whistleblower dodgy dossier -:
‘ The Pope is actually a Catholic’
Has Paul seen the dossier?
I’d be keen to know if it includes actual correspondence. The accusations against Ferguson etc. would carry more weight if there was some written correspondence.
Not he said/she said
Hi Pog….aye it goes without saying that every insurance angle has been covered and then covered for that cover….
I think the date might be delayed for a week or so….but looks like Schalke v Dortmund will be the first….max 300 in stadium …
it is reassuring to live here especially in my present condition ….Angie for anither 5 years please…
smiley brexit negotiations are going to be a doo lally time thing
sehr schön
Braw
DJTrump has just claimed on Twitter that the dossier originated in a lab in Wuhan.
Still awaiting recommendation on use of intravenous toilet duck as a means of warding off the ole scrofula.
Lookin at the Sevcomedya pages, a lot of their fans are finally coming to the realisation that they have nothing. Nothing.
They were pinning all their hopes on that explosive dossier, a smoking gun, something that would finally give them an explanation for all these years of hurt, pain, and humiliation…. they would FINALLY be vindicated… It was the Splf and Lawwell what did it!
They honestly believed this, that they had unequivocal evidence that Lawwell was running the show and was controlling Doncaster, bribery the lot
All they have now is the realisation that they are just sh*te
… and a laughin stock
B-)
🍀
Wee budgie will be milleting it over,she was being cagey ,but seems this bird brained idea is a bit feather weight,once everyone has a wee beak at the document,we will see that they were clutching at straws and weren’t as fly as they thought .
😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜
If the Huns are so sure that everyone in Scotland is out to get them, and THEY are Victims Blah Blah….why dont they just feck aff and play somewhere else ?
HH
smiley Smoking Gun looks awfy like a Choking Hun thing
Braw
I thought their dossier was going to say…
It was Peter Lawwell that did it..aided and abetted by Neil Lennon in the Library with a Candlestick…?
I for one would welcome someone more clever than I am on here to “Break Down” the Hun dossier, and in simple Laymans terms explain ANYTHING that is even remotely serious, examples of bullying and corruption and viable enough that the Huns have legit complaints are correct in demanding Suspensions etc to doncaster and/or McKenzie ?
Stay safe.
HH
Timaloy
I have seen a version of the paper submitted. It does contain some excerpts from letters and minutes. They are as uncompelling as Paul states.
On the undisclosed £10m penalty for failing to conclude the current season, they have quoted the QC for the SPFL commenting on the resolution they put forward for the club’s to vote on.
I cannot copy and paste from this doc but it roughly states that
The QC has no personal opinion on the choice between a) null and voiding or b) ending the season as it stands as that is a commercial matter with pros and cons for either case. However as the SPFL cannot fulfill matches as per obligation, Sky and BT have not received rights from us to the value of around £10m.
Sevco are asserting that there is a strong possibility that broadcasters and commercial partners COULD reclaim these funds successfully. (obviiously, regardless of whether it was null & void or call as it stands.
Sevco’s argument seems to be that this potential loss was insufficiently highlighted or emphasised, not that it was not known.
They do pose the question “Wold members have voted for the (SPFL) resolution if they had known there was a future income of £10m at risk?”
There are other examples of quotes from official minutes and letters sent out to clubs but most of the “bullying” allegations are perceptions gained form 2nd hand gossip of what Partick and Inverness allege was said to them by Alloa and Dunfermline etc;
I expect John Nelms ( who forms a surprising target for Sevco) of Dundee will have to state AGAIN that he and his club were not bullied or incentivised to not finalise their vote. He will also have to clarify that when he was exploring options with other clubs, he was in no position to promise or threaten consequences; he was merely exploring hypothetical options.
Claiming to have been bullied is a popular pastime these days. It does a great disservice to those who suffer from real intimidation and violence. No one who claims to have been bullied should be dismissed out of hand but you would have to be so open-minded as to give house room to every bizarre possibility, in accepting that the 2nd largest club in Scotland was bullied by clubs who barely make the top 20.
Looks like Sevco only have hearsay and lobbying WhatsApp groups. Were they not lobbying themselves with Hearts and Stranraer? Its not illegal is it?
Not sure about the bullying/threats although Sevco seem to threaten everyone with their released statements.
Has any actual rule/article of the SPFL been broken by anyone?
I don’t think any club has to explain themselves to anyone. Just have the AGM and a quick vote.
Have the EGM and vote without talking or listening to the Huns.
The reality is there is no smoking gun, They haven’t come up with any massive game changer evidence,
Their motion will be comprehensively defeated.
In a strange way this second vote is no harm at all.
Prior to this it was only 1 changed vote creating the difference between calling the season or not.
Now if this motion is well beaten next Thursday Clubs will have had time to reflect, there will be no hint of bullying this time around.
So a second free vote which comprehensively backs the SFA will send a clear signal to everyone,