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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Madhun has been Lyon’s most dangerous player
Is it me or do all the comments keep disappearing on this page?
Lyon score
Lyon stepped it up a bit. 0-1
1-0 Lyon
Great save Hazard but rebound put in.
Izzy was at fault letting his man goalside.
He is poor defensively.
Got to go down as keeper error, pushed it right into his path.
Izzy caught wrong side of Lyon attacker.
1-0
Lyon made 5 or 6 changes at half time & seem a better team 2nd half. Broke through there young Hazard made good stop initially but rebound fell kindly for Lyon and they go 1 up.
Young Benyu looks a good prospect
Hayes and Hill are disappointing but it’s only a friendly and this match is just about getting the squad players (barring Dembele) sharp.
Lyon looking the better team 2nd half. We are hanging on a bit now.
Very good goal
0-2
Did anything happen to sevco regarding the bigot who came on at the bigot dome and attacked brown and about the racist stuff on Sinclair ? If not then what are Celtic doing about it?
Lyon taking us apart now:((
Lyon dominating this half.
Both full backs struggling to stay right side of opponents.
A tough test
Brilliant goal by Lyon 2-0
Hill and Bitton roasted
What a goal from that Lyon kid 0-2
Bhoys a bit disjointed
Terrible defending from us there.
Hill very poor at that goal.
Just a young lad though
Poor goal defensively for us to lose
and it’s 2 nil. Great play by their sub, a big ask throwing young Hazard on at half time. He needs to make a few saves to build his confidence. Celtic now making 3 or 4 changes.
some very good players in that Lyon team
Good chance goes begging.
A good chance snuffed out there, Benyu did brilliant to set it up.
Benyu looks like he could be a very astute signing…
Hayes learning the hard way you dont get much wearing the hoops.
Hill did not look like a full back.
He struggled today.
Hayes looks short at this level.
He needs to increase his speed of thought.
Understandable and hopefully training with better players will help him.
Great layoff by Hayes there
Lyon No 10…Good player
Good pace Hayes, foul us
FAN-A-TIC
I’d agree, Hayes has a bit of work to do to get up to speed.
Bitton could be a decent option as a sweeper for games in the league at home
Good play bitton
Atchison Miller and McInroy on.
Team now basically the development squad…
BR doesnt look happy, not used to losing.
Lyon looking very silky second half
Crazy goal 0-3