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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Well recovered wee man
Merde! :-)
DAVIDOPOLOUS
The second goal showed the weakness of Bitton.
He can’t tackle.
Ajer looks vastly superior in the defensive zone.
With Bhoyata’s injury another defender probably needed.
Young Wardrop doing a better job at right back.
3-0 again Bitton showing a lack of ability in the tackle.
Good experience for the young bhoys against a fine Lyon team
Too easy again for them
Celtic fanny around and contrive balls up a near sitter.
Bit Better play from us in last 5 mins
New bhoys all very comfortable receiving the ball, we need to start getting better at keeping possession in European games
FAN-A-TIC in Bitton slagging shock…
;)
We have not pressed well this half.
Allowing quality sides time and space is suicidal.
A good and cruel lesson for some youngsters and I’m sure the coaching staff will review tape with them to explain what is required to play in first team.
But first half was very encouraging with at least six players ready to challenge for first team spot.
Shit this is getting ridiculous. 0-4
FAN-A-TIC
Ok, take your point lol…
Lyon have some very good kids as well.
Talent
RE Bitton…
Bitton defo no a centre half.
Brendan out :)
BARNEY67
9 of the current 11 are academy players
Youngsters haven’t shown up well second half. Hopefully a good learning experience but a lot of it seems to be down to ability.
Chris Davies Team Talk with the Young players, very interesting…
https://youtu.be/3-vFYl0F8Fc
DAVIDOPOLOUS
Why slagging?
Show me where I pointed out something untrue?
There is a reason Brendan rarely picks him.
He was culpable in both goals and did not look great on the fourth either.
He was picked for his experience today but looked a liability.
FAN-A-TIC
Smiley face…interpret the smiley face…
Twas a joke.
if Bitton is in the shop window will there be any buyers?
Lyon would have been a good test for our first team. I can’t understand why we agreed to play against Linfield yesterday. We should have insisted on playing Tue or Wed as scheduled. If they couldn’t guarantee security during their hatefest then the game should have been switched to somewhere more civilised. Why compromise with bigots?
NOTTHEBUS
Granted its the kids, just a bit concerned about the amount of chances we fail to convert.
Mncelt@4.03
Thank you
I’m here all week.
Up the hoops
Had the better of first half.
Lyon dominated second half which was to be expected given the team we had out
Brendan will be coaching the young bhoys on their performances today.
Better playing good team than dross to bring the kids on.
Lyon were very good 2nd half.
HH
VAULTSPUNTER 4-24pm
I know that the moron that racially abused Sinclair only got community service not sure about the other moron !
That’s the Invincibles tag gone :-(
Think we need to sign a few on that showing.
On the other hand it was a pre-season friendly that counts for nowt and will have no bearing on the season ahead.
We get beat 0-4 ridiculous I’m of to consult a solicitor ::)
Good run out for the new bhoys who probably haven’t met each other till today
DAVIDOPOLOUS
I see.No problem:)
But I have taken a lot of crap over Bitton for two years so overreacted.
He would be ok in a league like the USA where he would have time and space as a midfielder and it’s less physical.
He is a liability against the better European teams.
An educational outing for the kids, who now understand the level required of consummate pros.
Madden should never strut across the turf of Paradise again.
An interesting game which gives fringe players a chance to work on there fitness 0-4 to the visitors shows our overall pool of players is not as strong as we may think it is. However,a good exercise against a quality French team and Brendan will clearly have seen where the work is needed.H.H.
FAN-A-TIC
Bitton is a fabulous player.
He is that good, that nobody is offering to drive him to the airport:)
He can get the bus.
HH
FAN-A-TIC
I know you take a lot of stick for your opinion of Bitton, that’s why I was joking.
Bitton is the most frustrating player I’ve seen.
More frustrating than even Evander Sno…
There’s a player in there somewhere, just not sure what kind of player…
How did Sam the Ntcham do today?
Woollybully CSC
I agree that there’s a player in Bitton. The trouble is that he plays fitba at 45rpm and everybody else is playing at 78rpm.
GlenDalys
Fitness excercise.
I reckon he will need a few weeks under his belt before we see
HH