Topping increasingly sounds like Blatter

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Retiring SPFL chairman Ralf Topping addressed the issue of Rangers EBTs in the light of the recent Supreme Court ruling in an interview today with The Scotsman.  It is clear he is well-briefed on what is ‘in the post’ for the football authorities in Scotland from “fans groups”:

“There are a lot of wealthy people who support football clubs who will fund certain activities around challenges. The authorities just have to accept it and be measured in their response.”

Topping told The Scotsman, their solicitor, “the finest in the land”, made sure they were “ready for any challenges subsequently”.

The SPFL would save themselves and everyone else a lot of time and money if, instead of briefing friendly journalists who would refrain from asking the pertinent questions, they would address the matter in hand.

 

Why did the SPL (now the SPFL) set the parameters for what became the Lord Nimmo Smith (LNS) Commission to examine from 1998, then, when it became clear Rangers would admit guilt for offenses between 1998 and 2000, change that date to run from 2000?

Why did the SPL not lead evidence to the LNS Commission on the five players Rangers admitted guilt to the First Tier Tribunal, for offenses committed during the period in question (after 2000)?

Why did the SPL not reserve the right to appeal the LNS decision, which was predicated on EBTs being executed legally, pending the HMRS appeal?

Other questions, like who made the above decisions and why, can be addressed later.

If only the SPFL would “be measured in their response”, if only they would respond at all!  There has been no response to these questions, only prevarication, misdirection and evasion.

The more those at the top of Scottish football speak, the more they sound like Sepp Blatter, who for years set inquiries and boasted about his robust legal advice on the running of Fifa.

Frankly, Topping and his cronies are not in Blatter’s league.  They are not career criminals, but their briefing of selected journalists while studiously avoiding the question every fan would like to see answered, increasingly looks like a cover-up.

Celtic’s call for action will be ignored by the SPFL and SFA, but that must not be the end of it.  Just do the right thing, Ralph; answer the questions.

 

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964 Comments

  1. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Starry Plough

     

     

    Fair as usual:)

     

    Thanks for your service to Celtic Stuart, super-stardom awaits at West Brom or Burnley.

     

    Now whats wrong with that:)

     

     

    HH

  2. THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD

     

     

    I do try.))

     

     

    I don’t think cos he ain’t signed that he thinks he’s a superstar, if anything he’s a pretty grounded Bhoy..

     

     

    We had some BBB’s come and go I wouldn’t put the Hair Maeister in that group..

     

     

    I mean that’s lazy journalism from you Greeny ma man!

  3. glendalystonsils on

    !!BADA BING!! on 16TH JULY 2017 10:43 PM

     

    Embdae got a link to big Judith…:)

     

     

    Apparently, Judith has her own site on the dark web-))

  4. GORDYBHOY64

     

    Gillian and Ann are nice ghirls but don’t have Judith’s appeal if you know what i mean !! RALSTON CSC

  5. glendalystonsils on

    Does Stuart Armstrong’s agent work for Stuart Armstrong, or does Stuart Armstrong work for his agent?

     

    If it’s true SA wants to stay, why doesn’t he tel the agent to GTF?

  6. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Starry Plough

     

     

    This is how i see it.

     

    Under RD, SA was making loads of money, for basically nothing.

     

    Before Brendan came in, he looked like he would be moving on.

     

    Brendan keeps SA on, SA comes on leaps and bounds. Magic.

     

    But. However is telling him that he is the finished article and he could get more money in England, stands to make a few quid.

     

    He is not the finished article, he often goes missing, and im sure his agent wouldnt want to be talking about that.

     

    If i was SA, i would listen to Brendan.

     

    If its purely about money, he should go.

     

    That’s Football.

     

     

    HH

  7. glendalystonsils on

    Bada

     

    if you want to borrow my log-in, you’ll have to go through my agent (same one as Stuart Armstrong).

  8. Cultsbhoy says Hail Hail to Hector and Brendan on

    Most Tims are ambivalent on SA…

     

     

    He’s not leaving on a free… We’ll get decent money.

     

     

    So if he stays that’s great…if he goes that’s great.

     

     

    Personally really like his game and attitude. Remember he’s said nowt in public yet.

     

    However players will always look after themselves… As if it suited Celtic he’d be out the door. It may be that it does suit Celtic?

     

    If Oliver is the real deal and Ebouie is coming the boil…. SA fee would probably cover both their outlay…

     

     

    As I say this is a no lose scenario

  9. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Starry Plough

     

     

    You realise this is a response to you saying a few weeks ago, that the Bhoy Griff, who i have adopted as a surrogate son:), should be sold.

     

    That really hurt my feelings:)

     

    So…I think its only fair that i suggest that the ‘Man with the Golden Hair’, should be sold:)

     

     

    HH

  10. THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD

     

     

    I think the Bhoy is smart enough to know that his agent does the deal but he ain’t dumb enough to think he’s the finished article wether his agent says that or not, that ain’t the point the agent will be saying we can get more money down South that’s jus’ the fax:))

     

     

    Still don’t make him a BBB’s:))

     

     

    It’s like Paddy, they either want to be part of BR is doing or they don’t, the idea that if someone don’t makes them a BBB’s don’t sit right with me, never has…

     

     

    Short career lots to consider…

     

     

    If he wants the wedge he’ll be gone and good luck to him, won’t break my heart but I’d be pleased if he stays, lot more to come from him I think and that coming from me is a big turnaround I would have gladly sold him last season so he could open his tearoom up North with GMS:))

     

     

    HH

  11. THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD

     

     

    No nay never did I say Griff should be sold, I demand a lawyer and a retraction:))

     

     

    I said I had a feeling he might go, he looked like he had the hump with Brendan at one substitution and I thought he’s impetus enough to feck it off to get a game somewhere else:))

     

     

    Come to think of it Griffo’s hair is a bit like yours:))

  12. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Starry Plough

     

     

    Anyway:)

     

     

    Ive dug something else up, that may be of interest.

     

    ‘The Myth of Pruitt Igoe’ on YT, followed by the Phillip Glass track of the same name.

     

     

    HH

  13. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    CULTSBHOY SAYS HAIL HAIL TO HECTOR AND BRENDAN on 16TH JULY 2017 11:26 PM

     

     

    ” No lose scenario. ”

     

     

    I like the way you`re thinking.

  14. THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD

     

     

    Thanks for that, my reading is expanding thanks to you, love a wee root about more off the beaten track stuff..

     

     

     

    Looks like the Gorbals!

     

     

    Catch up with that tomorrow..

     

     

    By the way good interview with JC on The Intercept..

  15. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Starry Plough

     

     

     

    A thought-provoking documentary, and a phenomenal composer(Phillip Glass)

     

    You will get the connection.

     

     

    HH

  16. WITS

     

    You can be the Chief Executive of anyone or anything you like as far as i’m concerned ! Up the Dubs !!

  17. The rumours about Stuart Armstrong leaving seem to have come from a tweet, saying goodbye and thanks to all staff etc.

     

    The tweet was made in Feb. 2015, when he left Dundee Utd.

     

     

    I’m not saying that doesn’t mean he may go, just that this tweet isn’t anything to do with his current situation.

  18. WHAT IS THE STARS on 16TH JULY 2017 11:37 PM

     

    I am the chief executive of Stuart Armstrong.

     

     

    —–

     

    He hasn’t suffered enough!

  19. What is the Stars on

    Park Road

     

    Can you text me when you get a chance. I got a new phone and have lost a lot of numbers

     

     

    On Stuart Armstrong….we know what we have.

     

    Ntcham and Ebouie haven’t kicked a ball in anger yet.

     

    If I was Stuart Armstrong i would be a bit miffed if those two were on better contracts than the one being offered to me

     

    However I have no idea of what the wage structures are

  20. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Rumour going round that SA has bought Steven Fletcher’s BIG MOTOR, and was last seen wheel-spinning down London Rd, for a Kebab:)

     

    Fletch is in the back seat wi three burdz:)

     

     

     

    HH

  21. Doc on 16th July 2017 11:42 pm

     

     

    If there is Fake News can we have Historic News or is that a contradiction in terms?

  22. What is the Stars on

    Green Man

     

    Stuart Armstrong doesn’t eat kebabs..Fact!!!

     

     

    He is a nice posh boy .He might have the odd cucumber sandwich but nothing as ghastly as a kebab

  23. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    WITS

     

     

    Its a Bistro Kebab shop:)

     

    Only one on London Rd.

     

    I believe his agent owns it:)

     

     

    HH

  24. Stuart Armstrong will be a loss if he goes.

     

    A very intelligent footballer.

     

    However he should choose carefully as the right coaching and playing system are vital to his success.

     

    Under Brendan he flourished in a system that enhanced his ability unlike under Ronny where he was pretty poor.

     

    He is a modern pass and play type whose success is dependent on movement of teammates who create space for him to attack.

     

    His work rate is excellent.

     

    I really hope he stays but it’s a short career and understandable that he wants to make the money his talent deserves.

     

    If he chooses to leave i wish him well and happy for some great memories he provide the Celtic support this season.

     

    As long as the board use the money to strengthen the squad then his loss will be minimised.

  25. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    WITS

     

     

    That’s not the half of it, Stuart has also got an original Marty McFly Hoverboard, he uses that when he needs to zip by the huns at Brigton cross sharpish:)

     

     

    HH