Here’s the problem: this is a can of worms. If contagion was limited to Sir David Murray and other Murray Group executives, there may be more “appetite” to analyse what went wrong and what to do about it.
Rangers were a rogue football team, operating a tax scheme out with the law, failing to disclose appropriate documentation to HMRC, the SPL and SFA. Legal responsibility for the club’s actions lies with all directors, not just the majority owner. They have collective responsibility to ensure business is conducted appropriately. David King, Paul Murray, Alistair Johnston and former SFA president Campbell Ogilvie, were all Rangers directors during the EBT and DOS years.
The SPFL (formerly SPL) are also implicated. They set terms of reference for what became the Lord Nimmo Smith Commission, then amended those terms to only include matters which were, at that time, regarded as legal, explicitly excluding matters already confirmed as illegal.
They then failed to present evidence to Nimmo Smith of the five matters Rangers admitted guilt on during the First Tier Tribunal process, preferring only to present matters that were in dispute, but (temporarily) found in Rangers favour.
Having done this, they instructed their lawyer not to ask for an opportunity to appeal if the pending HMRC appeal was upheld. Instead, closing the book on a procedural appeal.
The SFA executives side just along the corridor from their SPFL counterparts. Yesterday they issued a remarkable statement:
“Specifically, Senior Counsel was asked to anticipate whether a determination in favour of HMRC, as announced today, could imply that there had been a breach of the Scottish FA’s Disciplinary Rules as they applied at the time of the EBT payments.
The clear opinion of Senior Counsel is that there is a very limited chance of the Scottish FA succeeding in relation to any complaint regarding this matter”.
I refer you to SFA Disciplinary Rule 71, Article 94.1:
“No recognised football body, club, official, Team Official or other member of Team Staff, player, match official, or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall bring the game into disrepute.”
They are asking you to believe that Senior Counsel told them no Rangers official brought the game into disrepute as a consequence of this matter. A matter which has left over £100m debt and hundreds of creditors unpaid, saw 55 players incorrectly registered, and one of the largest clubs in the country liquidated – the consequences of which will be permanent, no matter your view on Newco/same club.
All for an issue which Rangers directors gave evidence in court that the EBT scheme was undertaken to allow them to sign players they would otherwise be unable to pay. Ensuring an illegal sporting advantage.
Possible SFA sanctions for this include fines of up to £1m and/or expulsion from the game.
Sorry, but this is not a tenable position. The game was massively brought into disrepute; to issue a statement claiming otherwise just adds the stench of cover up to an already dreadful state. And bringing the game into disrepute is just scratching the surface, without going into consequences of the club’s actions on competitions.
I question the scope and remit given to Counsel, which was clearly limited in order to make it possible to deliver this statement. Who issued that scope and why it blinded Counsel to the clear matter of disrepute is another question to answer.
Executives at Hampden will have scoured news coverage this morning in the hope that this this will blow over. Scottish newspaper, TV and radio coverage is irrelevant. Instead, they should be looking to establish a recovery position for our game. This is not finished.
Those implicated by the contagion – the “heavily conflicted” do not get to decide that no action is to be taken; Scotland is not yet a Banana Republic.
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DD, matey….we want the same thing.
My view, we try to go about in a way that says something about our values and behaviours and is reflected in how we demonstrate those, hence a collegiate, positive movement rather than a mobilisation to SFA headquarters.
Don’t get me wrong, if nothing happens as a result I’m a patient person by nature then it would be time to make a move.
Winning Captains
You are needed here sir
SFA and SPFL would not give a t*ss about boycotts because the hun supporters would still turn out for their match.
Auldheid- ta for Fan info, Sky would ignore any protests , Big Sutton on BT on the other hand….
Leftie….
Well said chum.
There has been enough attrition on the site.
Would need ALL clubs to refuse to play SEVCO until titles and cups stripped from the cheating Rangers and SEVCO banned from claiming the dead history
This from 11th May…
http://www.scotzine.com/2017/05/no-title-stripping-even-if-rangers-liquidators-bdo-lose-big-tax-case-alex-thomson-channel-4-news/
He had a good source.
DD
It has it’s advantages as well as it’s drawbacks, at least it’s hun free :-)
HH
Parkheadcumsalford on 6th July 2017 7:52 pm
Auldheid,
A very good suggestion. Any particular for choosing the 14 minute
===================
Apparently the trophy count is 14!
!!Bada Bing!! on 6th July 2017 8:20 pm
Auldheid- ta for Fan info, Sky would ignore any protests , Big Sutton on BT on the other hand….
===================
Exactly!
https://philmacgiollabhain.ie/2017/07/06/guerrilla-warfare-at-sevco/
bankiebhoy1 on 6th July 2017 8:03 pm
Auldheid.
My suggestion, at a pre-arranged time, everyone stands…….
“Stand Up For Fairness”……. is the message…….same m.o. as before explain to the media and other clubs why it is being done.
==================
That would do it but silence would add. Thanks
Auldheid,
Gearoid already put me straight. Should have worked it out for myself. Getting old is my excuse…..
Limassol beat St Josephs 6-0 tonight, 10-0 on aggregate. Just as well for der Hun they went out early.
Its very convenient how the media complain about the lack of competition in our game but forget to say how many different clubs won cups between seasons 2011/12 to 2015/16 .
We should have won more cups but due to a combination of some poor performances by us and match officials , we didn’t.
The different number of clubs winning cups seems to have been missed by that McRae character in his ridiculous ‘ strong Rangers’ comment . Another reason why the SFA give the impression/ are only interested (delete as appropriate) in one club with a G51 post code.
I live in hope that fans of Scottich clubs decide enough is with the SFA & SPFL , with them being brought to task for the shambles they have brought about by pandering to the G51 club and their agressive fan base.
Bankie
I will try to mobilise the bhoys fae Mountblow and Dalmuir. My mate is working on the Duntocher, Hardgate,Faifley bhoys. Drumry, Linnvale and Whitecrook acting already.
Start local in Clýdebank and spread the word.
Auldheid……
Yes. It’s meant to be done in silence chum.
The message?……. banners, social media, press briefing,…etc.
DD……good man.
I’ve got the Cork angle covered!
:)
HH
Sheep leading the way.
At Arbroath tonight Dons fans have unveiled Doncaster and Regan crimes banner.
The Clumpany has put it up on his Twitter feed and says better pictures later. There is one picture at present.
Dallas.
I caught your message about Rev Al and Bobby Womack, two great concerts I’m guessing.
Hail Hail.
No surprise Misser digging tunnels under Pedro, he will ponce an assistants job when McLeish is there soon…
Dandy Dons are leading the title stripping narrative. Good on them.
https://twitter.com/jftbrian/status/883033359236173824
MINCEYHEIDMAN on 6TH JULY 2017 4:08 PM
Saintt Stivs
This one?
Rangers lose dispute over tax avoidance scheme
——————-
ta , appreciated.
keep it lit
My take is…
Part of the issue…
If there was a review/case or whatever behind closed doors & your personal safety is guaranteed then you’ll get plenty of support.
Otherwise…my opinion has always been…speak up & you are targetted.
TREBLE WINNING CAPTAINS on 6TH JULY 2017 5:48 PM
The Timreaper
Doncaster said that if it happened again the book would be thrown at the club but he is handcuffed by the 5 Way Agreement and believes he speaks for the clubs.
Nothing other than a judicial review works. We can post until the cows come home.
——
If this is correct any idea why Celtic have asked for a review? Either they are ill informed or stringing us along? Neither looks good.
Paul67 also states,
‘Those implicated by the contagion – the “heavily conflicted” do not get to decide that no action is to be taken; Scotland is not yet a Banana Republic.’
Looking for clarification?
You can threaten to boycott, sign petitions, write to various parties, try to get the wider press on board or try to work with supporters of other clubs.
Regan and Doncaster reckon, probably correctly, that they have your number.
Celtic a few months back held a meeting attended by various supporters groups. Res12 was on the agenda, placed there by the club.
It was a lively session discussing various matters – away tickets and so on – but when Res12 was raised it was met by silence. PL asked if anyone had anything they wanted to ask about Res12. Silence.
That’s why Regan and Doncaster have your number.
The ONLY was to do this is by forcing a judicial review in the public interest and the momentum that will achieve will force them out and will make sure the titles are stripped.
Anything, no everything else is huff and puff but you’ll never blow the house of cards down.
Right that’s me done this time. Promises to be kept au revoir!
Winning
I disagree that boycotts won’t work.
IMO it’s the only sure fire thing that will work, withdraw the Green pound and the clubs will force the sfa and the spl to act, of that I have no doubts whatsoever.
Stripping the titles should only be the start, they cheated, that has been proven in the highest court in the land, taking away what they won should be a consequense of their cheating, then they should be punished.
A judicial review will only work if it’s done by people outwith scotland, and that’s never gonna happen.
A proper journo needs to get his teeth into this, one who will happily see minty stripped of his knighthood, then we will see the real level of corruption, till then, it will be the same old, same old, the cabal rule.
HH
Boycotts
Man City fans had a boycott of European games a few seasons ago… the only comments I saw about it stated that their fans could not be bothered showing up.
If you have a boycott it has to be 100%
Getting a couple of north stand tickets for Windsor 2moro. Any of the Belfast bhoys on here I know going. I’ll look out for you!
Well done to the Aberdeen fans tonight
#thingsyouthoughtyouwouldneversay
Yorkbhoy
With respect you can’t compare a boycott of say Killmarnock to a cash rich club like man Cty, take away the Green £ from Killie they will struggle big time, a few hundred supporters will make sure they have to fork out for the police, they will lose money, that they cannot afford to do, the same can be said for a few other clubs.
I reckon just the threat of one will force them into action.
HH
Jimmynotpaul, I hope you have been attack free for a while.
I saw Bobby Womack and Al Green each play at the Hammersmith Odeon then saw each of them at the Concert Hall here
Both are musical heroes of mine , if that is the right term to use, who recognise the importance of Sam Cooke’s music and influence. Bobby was a guitarist in Sam’s band.
Getting to see Bobby play in Glasgow was a long term ambition of mine fulfilled.
Going to be down to self respect, How much have you got ?
keep showing up and paying your hard earned dosh just like you have done for years knowing you have been getting shafted, or walk away with your head held high Knowing your the bigger man and your not getting the run around by men in suits ?
Celtic/ Scottish football has not got 1 penny off of me in the last year and unless the rules are upheld For the years i paid in and i was cheated out of, they have saw my last.
I won’t be missed i hear you say.
Neither will you’s . Celtic this is all down to what you do and if the titles are not to be took by the rule’s ,Then you can Watch this ass walking away .
TET
I dislike the idea of boycotting other teams when our board are not exactly at the front of this protest…
YORKBHOY on 6TH JULY 2017 9:33 PM
Boycotts
Man City fans had a boycott of European games a few seasons ago… the only comments I saw about it stated that their fans could not be bothered showing up.
If you have a boycott it has to be 100%
How could you tell a boycott at that place? Not called The Emptyhad for nothing HH
Bada Bing
That’s exactly my point… if there was a boycott at Celtic v Motherwell and we had a crowd of 20,000 would it cause a reaction or would it be dismissed as just a poor crowd.
TREBLE winning captains on 6th July 2017 9:17 pm
The reason there has never been a boycott in the past is that it spits the support. Some folk just want to see Celtic play and support them on the day. No matter the issue if it interferes with their life view they will not boycott. I’m passing no judgement on that just recognising it as a factor that make boycott nigh impossible.
Res12 has always suffered from working from a narrow base, but its no longer about Res12 its about dishonesty of which REs12 is evidence and if Celtic are prepared to put up with the Sh$%£ Regan has rubbed in their faces there is no hope unless shareholders want to take the SFA to court, something worth exploring (ask BRTH)
A JR will take how long and who has locus?
Nope if we want action we encourage Celtic to take the gloves off and get in the effing ring and if that means getting the support in the ring with them and asking other clubs to join they should take the lead whether they join or not.
The issue is now honesty and how to restore it, if supporters cannot rally around that flag we are effed.