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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Stars
Aye you may well be right, but like everything else things work in cycles and I have no doubts that the huns will not always be where they are.
tis a funny old world we live in.
HH
As things stand at the moment it’s all eyes on the SPFL. I assume they will have a Board meeting fairly soon with the issue at the top of the agenda. We will either get some kind of action or we will get a statement similar to that issued by the SFA. The SFA have chosen to throw cold water on the issue immediately as they have a Board of Directors happy to do so. A vote of no confidence in that Board would likely be required to get the SFA to look at the issue again. Regards the SPFL, they have chosen to leave the issue open at the moment. Some may see that as positive. If they decide to do nothing i suspect they will look to bury the news under some Celtic Champions League success or new signing. For years there have been myths about the influence Peter Lawwell has on the football authorities and his commitment to Celtic outwith the PLC money making machine. I think both of those questions are going to be answered soon. Etims suggest PL wont want to be the man in charge when Celtic did nothing. I sincerely hope they a right.
Saw someone asking earlier on, sorry I read it quickly at work, I think it was Mike in Toronto, about who met Neil Doncaster with Winning Captains. I was at the meeting. I invited WC along after a member of our committee had to pull out at the last minute.
I can confirm what WC said is spot on. But…..as also pointed out ND is just a windbreaker and has no real power in the game. He does what the clubs tell him. His main job is to bring money into the game. He’ll do what the clubs tell him to do.
The clubs asked him to sell Sevco being put into the championship or even back in the top flight but heavily sanctioned. It was the fans of other clubs that saw the reformed club take it’s rightful place in the bottom tier. We are back at this point. It’s up to the fans of clubs to get their club to take action.
Someone asked if The Affiliation had asked their members about what action should be taken. I can confirm they have.
Also, Auldheid, your silence on the 14th minute is a great idea but what about turning your back on the scottish game? Every 14th minute we all stand up and turn our backs on the game for a minute in silence. Would look good on Tv.
HH
If Celtic do not get satisfaction from the SFA they will go to UEFA.
There is no point in the SPFL re-openning this issue remember the SFA are the appellant body and they have said they will do SFA so if the SPFL have a review and strip honours ‘The Rangers’ will appeal to the SFA and the appeal will be upheld.
The SFA is no as big a problem as the original scandal.
I believe UEFA already smell a rat if Phil’s story today is correct.
The SFA cannot investigate themselves when they are the problem.
UEFA now need to become involved but until a member club makes a complaint they will do nothing.
I believe Celtic’s statement yesterday, with the final legal adjudication, was a last chance for the SFA to clean house themselves.
Keving on 6th July 2017 11:11 pm
Also, Auldheid, your silence on the 14th minute is a great idea but what about turning your back on the scottish game? Every 14th minute we all stand up and turn our backs on the game for a minute in silence. Would look good on Tv.
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Great addition. You are in apposition to spread the thought…
HH
Corkcelt I am not slagging any Celtic supporter. I get it. But similarly this constant nonsense about if the other clubs don’t join us we can’t do anything is just bollocks. It’s a cowards charter. Celtic are by far the most powerful club in the land. They should show so,e courage and leadership. Buts it’s got bigger all to do with honesty. It’s just the bigot pound the people who represent you and I as Celtic give a damn about.
And I am afraid that’s what you are supporting.
Auldheid. If Celtic do not have the morale courage to tackle corruption then by definition supporting Celtic is supporting corruption.
Just accepting it isn’t an innocent option.
Worst still is paul67. He loves to talk about these issues but never about the Celtic boards role in it. It is quite frankly selling us all out. It disgusts me.
NEGANON2 on 6TH JULY 2017 10:15 PM
“That’s why paul67 disgusts me. He spouts about this stuff but will not call the Celtic board on it.”
You come onto Paul’s blog to say he “disgusts” you?? You not think maybe an apology would be in order as I don’t think any of us are forced on here and that language is out of order and does you no favours.
Justifiable anger at Rangers.
Why take it out on Celtic ?
As Auldheid says , we operate in a ” corrupt industry. ”
Celtic alone can`t clean it up .
Incidentally corkcelt, we don’t need another tribunal. The facts are in the public domain. Celtic should simply call for titles to be revoked. Indeed the board, if it was true lily acting in its legal duty to shareholders, should be calling for it anyway.
NEGANON2
Go post on Kerrydale St then, simple naw..
Macjay Celtic are complicit. They are part of the corruption. So sadly part of the problem.
Through a green glass I meant what I said and will not apologise for it. What Paul is doing is worse than many. Pointing at the cheating whilst not criticisms those who are betraying us from Within. It’s disgusting. And I will repeat it until the cows come home.
Starry plough. Naw. Because the misinformation and jaundiced view of the board will not go unchallenged.
So naw.
And thrice naw.
KEVING on 6TH JULY 2017 11:11 PM
Every 14th minute we all stand up and turn our backs on the game for a minute in silence. Would look good on Tv.
_______________
Futile!
This is not a 67th minute light display (that looks good on nighttime TV) or a 22nd minute acknowledgement for a deceased ex-player or a 55th minute one for a lifetime supporter.
BBC Shortbread Highlights will edit it any demonstration out – BT might acknowledge it once – Sky coverage will likely see the commentator ask a question of the inane pundit and talk over it.
The 14th minute idea is passive not reactionary!
H!H!
NEGANON2
You’re an ignoramus and always have been…
The Big Hero who’s done zip since day one except greet his wee eyes oot on here..
Jog on
But. ..dave king is going to invest enough to actually take rangers out of liquidation and pay off all oldco debts.
Then he will start a campaign to have Celtic investigated for under declaring attendances during the 50s 60s and 70s. Could end up with Celtic having their 9 in a row and European cup declared null and void.
Yeah sure thing starry. Good contribution as ever.
Its not Rangers on trial.
Its Celtic.
Guilty until proven innocent .
I`m still celebrating Rangers onfield and off-field humiliation .
And looking forward to the strange prospect of Celtic performing in the lion`s den with nary a Tim in attendance .
( Mmm ……………..Something not quite right there. )
NEGANON2 on 6TH JULY 2017 11:25 PM
Macjay Celtic are complicit. They are part of the corruption. So sadly part of the problem.
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All I can do is hope that you are wrong.
Mind you , I have seen no evidence which says that you are right.
Lots of supposition. Yes.
Macjay
I find myself in agreement with you tonight
Neg, Paul allows you to slag him off on his blog do you not even appreciate that.
Quite obviously Paul does not agree with your views but he allows you to express them, I do not agree with your assessment as per your 11.16 post but I accept your right to hold such views.
Surely at least you can be civil in the tone you express yourself in.
To be quite honest I’m pretty sick of the blog anyway & this is my last post on the matter.
In 20 or 30 years anyway most of us will be dead anyway & all this angst that we are spouting will be worth zilch but Celtic will still be playing football & countless thousands of Celts the world over will still be as passionate as ever in supporting them.
Neganon 2
Oh I’m sure the good folk of CQN know who’s who on here…
So. Celtic Board are the only one of the 40 or more cheated teams to make a statement challenging the spfl.
Other club fans are failing to get their clubs to register a concern publicly.
Yet some folk on here are suggesting Celtic Board are to blame. Incredible but no unexpected from some who will never be happy with Celtic winning or being successful.
1 day after the verdict the usual suspects out there manning the barricades.
The sensible and, in my humble view, the only way this will be properly addressed is as suggested by a respected poster on here and that is by a judicial revue.
The club cannot do this….only aggrieved or affected individuals or groups as I understand it.
This has a chance of being much more effective than bhoycots or Celtic moaning or posturing in isolation.
This is about scottish football being cheated not just celtic.
Macjay sadly I think there is plenty of evidence to suggest Celtic are complicit. The fact that a liquidated club got to a vote to stay in the spl and it was only a supporters revolt that changes people it is one. The fact that Celtic were involved in the 5 way agreement. And law wells place on various boards is another.
We all have a choice. The schism, in my opinion, will be ultimately terminal for Celtic.
Corkcelt. I am being civil and I am disgusted. Paul hosts a public site which declares itself as a serious balanced site (not lazy journalism). It has become a propaganda site. It’s right we have the right to reply.
As for us all being dead soonish. Yeah that’s right. But so,e of us have kids and ZCKXMWant better for them. Just like our parents fought through Scotland’s racism. Don’t you care about that?
Neganon 2. This is your chance to put your money where your mouth is and do something positive for a club you supposedly support. Go call a judicial revue and make it happen.
Or maybe easier to just come on hear and point fingers at anyone in authority or at folk who might actually be trying to make a difference but have enough sense not to spout about it to all and sundry.
Neganon is spot on
Something needs done or the games a bogey. It’s not like the product is campbells soup or something that you don’t need to buy. Celtic PLC are guilty of depraved indifference simply because they are greedy
Paul67 has bought into it also and the sad thing is that he had the perfect platform to pivot res12 for example. What he did was too little too late. It’s up to the supporters and other supporters like 2012. You just cannot trust this board unless there is money in it.
In 2012 when rangers teetered on the brink of oblivion, many on here were demanding that Celtic do something, issue a statement etc . and not just stand idly by and allow Rangers get away with it.
rangers died, and there was talk that the new club would go straight into the SPL, debt free and carry on.
Many on here were demanding that Celtic do something etc etc to prevent this. Others assured us that Celtic would do nothing and Rangers would be back stronger than ever.
So how’s that working out
Yes starry cos you contribute so much.
Burnley67 I am happy to get involved in whatever it takes. But allowing Scottish society to have another rigged judicial review is nonsense. All the facts are laid bare. Celtic should demand title stripping. So should the other clubs. Some, womt but many need Celtics leadership.
NEGANON2 on 6TH JULY 2017 11:42 PM
Macjay sadly I think there is plenty of evidence to suggest Celtic are complicit. The fact that a liquidated club got to a vote to stay in the spl and it was only a supporters revolt that changes people it is one. The fact that Celtic were involved in the 5 way agreement. And law wells place on various boards is another.
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Well . I wish you could just enjoy being a Celtic supporter as I do.
Having been born a Catholic , I always remember being taught that the Catholic Church , the Body of Christ , is not the Pope or the Clergy .
Its the people .
Thats the way I see Celtic.
The punters , not the Board.
NEGANON2
I’m not the one running my mouth and let’s face it that’s all you’ve got…
any one who thinks celtic are surprised by this really is buttoned up the back, celtic are corrupt and are happy with status quo they dont want a shinning ligt on this because you might not like what is seen
What sad lives some must have.
Celtic have just won a treble.
The govan team have just lost in prelim round to a team from Luxemburg.
And folk on here want to find whatever stick they can to beat themselves with ….
Sad.
whats wrong with asking for justice stop skirting around it just ask people in scotland for the truth never mind keeping powder dry for what just demand it
BURNLEY78 on 6TH JULY 2017 11:51 PM
AND lots to look forward to.
I don`t get it either.
My problem is which Celtic strip to buy for the boay.
Couldn`t be happier with the good ship Celtica .
WITS
what’s the name of the football team playing out of Ibrox?
Call it what you want.
It’s Glasgow Rangers
You just have to read this blog and Paul67’s articles every day to
Know it’s true.
Anyone who doesn’t accept that
Because of repackaging is deluding themselves
Burnley78 this point, about integrity, transcends everything. It’s more important than any one season. Self respect is much more important than that.
They should have been left to wither like gretna and airdrie. In 10-20 years they’ll be back with a vengeance and all the complicit ones will still be
BURNLEY78 hows it sad to ask for the truth and for our custodians to ask for it, is it not important to you, how old celtic supporters wewnt to their grave beliving they had been cheated, and here we have a golden chane to nail it and all some think of is dry powder