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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On the basis of this performance from the “kids”, some of the first team had better up their game.
Nobody’s place guaranteed.
So far a very impressive showing by the young guys.
Izzy has been our weakest.
This squad is going to mollicate the SPL
McG scores but offside given.
Lyon really struggling to cope with Moussa
How can that be offside?
Robbed :-)
Maybe give Delia some credit for some of his signings e.g. ajer. Even the porn star signed from Cardiff on loan was decent when he played at Malmo.
McGregor goal ruled offside. Brilliant play Dembele in lead up. Some terrific stuff being played, pity not more in the ground to see it.
1500 tickets issued to those bigots for the game on wed night……big big mistake Celtic………wonder if the half wits would accept a refund cos they aint coming here for the football…….try them with a refund and perhaps the paddle steamers will do likewise afore they get wrecked……they must know its all over.
Impressed with the new bhoys, Ajer looks good too.
AAURORABOREALIS79 on 15TH JULY 2017 2:56 PM
FYI link pulled up an iPad infection
Madhun lets his hatred of Celtic show by giving a foul the linesman 2 yards away could not see.
He is a hun cheat who should go back to sitting in the Ibrox stands.
Topping’s great legal brain…Ralph, mate, the clubs are talking, telling it like it is. If you think you have had a bad day on CQN wait until Monday. Paul is going to have some fun.
Really
IS
THAT
ALL
YOU
GUYS
HAVE
GOT
?
HT Celtique 0 Lyon 0
Excellent performance so far.
Movement is good and players showing calmness in possession.
Good half.
Benyu, ntcham, Kouassi, Mcgregor and Acer good.
Dembele excellent.
Hayes positioning a little frustrating but usually kicked when he does get it.
Good game time for the squad.
That’s quite a squad of players we are building, a lot of good football on display today..
The future is bright..
Half Time nil all. 1st Half dominated by Celtic we should be 2 or 3 up. So much to enthuse about.
Our second team would walk the SPFL.
I think we are a good couple of weeks ahead of Lyon in terms of fitness and it shows, but Lyon still very slick on the ball. So are we at times mind you…
Great workout for the bhoys here. This Lyon team are a step up from anything we will play in Scotland and our ‘B’ team are more than holding their own. Benyu is showing best of our new batch of players, he looks very comfortable on the ball and is full of energy. Ntchum taking it in his stride and looks promising. Ajer playing well. Hayes not getting much change out of Mendy their left back who looks a great player. Moussa also showing well up front but should have scored.
Pitch looks brilliant. Happy times.
Some of Madden whistling baffling…
This team would win the SPL with plenty to spare.
Brendan is improving us on a constant basis.
So excited for this season.
Corkcelt
Agreed. This is impressive!! We have some squad.
EKBHOY on 15TH JULY 2017 3:47 PM
Thanks for that.
SIN CITY BHOY
Madhun can’t help himself,so not baffling just deliberate
He is a DOB.
1st look,but what a couple of signings these could turn out to be.Ntcham,totally dominating ,Benji,loads of skill.Eboue,a beast.Ajer playing very well.Remember,this is not a second rate team,Lyon.I can see the likeness someone wrote about the other day between Benji and Nakamura.
BR will have a headache picking a first 11 if these guys maintain this form.
Exciting times ahead.
Also impressed by Benyu.
He and Ajer playing with maturity and awareness despite their youth.
Hopefully some of these Bhoys get a game on Wed against the “bone of our bone” from the land that time and good taste forgot.
I would “rest” most of those on yellows apart from Broonie who should be given the opportunity to pick up another quid.
Would definitely have Ayer in.
Up the hoops.
Lance Armstrong FC
Ok Bhoys we’re impressed, now go out an put it in the net.
Ajmer xx
FAN-A-TIC on 15TH JULY 2017 3:56 PM
Can only agree with everything you’ve said.
On the basis of his known allegiances, we should be requesting he not whistle any of our games.
Ntcham,Broony,going to be some pairing.
Geroid – “The land that good taste forgot” ? That was very funny
Ebouie & Dembele are brilliant. Ajer is going to make it big time. I’m as Happy as Larry watching this.
What a chance to give some of these guys a chance on Wednesday.Big Moussa hold up play,superb.
Moussa looks double sharp already this season, somebody’s going to suffer:))
Moussa battering the Lyon CBs.
Celtic have mostly been a team based on skill.
Now we seem to be developing a team with skill and power.
Even the avalanche of cheating by Huns with whistles we will face in the SPL will not stop us.
Btw just seen a replay of the Mcgregor goal – not a chance he is offside.
Officials taking their preseason training seriously…