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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Ajer and Benyu looked great, the others will settle. Good to see Moussa doing his stuff. Lyon are a class act but with our first team and the new additions it will be an exciting season ahead, we are better prepared this year. Brendan has a headache in Midfield and Ajer would be my first choice with Simo, He showed the same form and composure as he did last pre season before he went to killie, Top Talent. he has everything Brendan likes in a CB.
KLV
AULDHEID @ 3:15 PM,
“I think Doncaster will have briefed Harper MacLeod in a certain way regarding Doncaster’s most desirable commercial outcome, that what Doncaster gets paid for, not upholding the integrity of the game.”
Well I’ll always remember Neil Doncaster’s attitude when the Newco/Oldco plan was hatched, it was obvious that he thought this was Genius and was taken aback not to be hailed as that Saviour of Scottish Football. As you say the Commercials were his only concern.
Regarding Harper MacLeod – As the SPFL are dragging their feet, I had my own Review of the SPL Commission;)
It didn’t read well…
At the time the Decision Document was published, it came over as a Clever Sham.
With subsequent rulings and revelations the Document does not look too Clever at all.
An example: In the light of Alex Bryson’s flawed evidence the Commission determined…
Accordingly,even if there had been a breach of the SFA registration procedures, such as a breach of SFA Article 12.3, (below) the registration of a player was not treated as being invalid from the outset, and stood unless and until it was revoked.
This is of course blatant nonsense, we all know that if a Player is not properly registered it is deemed he was ineligible for the game.
NB: SFA Article12.3: “Furthermore, all payments whether made by the club or otherwise which are to be made to a Player solely relating to his playing activities must be fully recorded within the relevant written agreement with the Player prior to submission to the Association and/or the recognised football body of which his Club is in membership.”
So why did Harper MacLeod’s Lawyer state the accepted (0-3) case, then give credence to Bryson and then not press for a decision..?
Mr McKenzie explained to us that SPL Rule D1.13 had hitherto been understood to mean that if, at the time of registration, a document was not lodged as required, the consequence was that a condition of registration was broken and the player automatically became ineligible to play in terms of SPL Rule D1.11.
He accepted however that there was scope for a different construction of the rule…
NB: Rule D1.13: “A Club must as a condition of Registration and for a Player to be eligible to Play in Official Matches, deliver the executed originals of all Contracts of Service and Amendments and/or extensions to Contracts of Service and all other agreements providing for payment, other than for reimbursement of expenses actually incurred,
– Rule D1.11: “Any Club Playing an ineligible Player in an Official Match and the Player concerned shall be in breach of the Rules.”
Now rule D1.13, Makes it abundantly clear that ALL the players with side letters were not eligible to play in Official Matches. Why would the SPL’s Lawyer accept a “different construction”. Unless, as you say, he was briefed to do so.
I know for a fact that Topping was unhappy with the sanctions LNS applied, he thought they should be stronger…
Well that’s interesting, of course if you look at the timeline on the Rangers EBT’S Sanctions it is interesting.
– SPL Launch EBT Commission
– 5 Way Agreement Outlines Sanctions Newco will and won’t accept (allegedly no title stripping)
– Commision Hearing
– Decision Published…
• No Sanctions Newco
• Sanctions against Oldco in liquidation (financial)
– SPL Decide Newco should pay it, as a Rangers “Football” debt (determined in the 5 way agreement)
– Newco refuse to pay and appeal to the SFA
– SFA Determine Newco should pay
– Newco determine to take the case to arbitration
– HMRC win BTC at the Court of Session
– Newco pay Rangers’ EBT Sanctions.
That timeline raises a few questions…
Of course the obvious thing is, why agree the Sanctions with Newco (5wa) before the Commission Hearing?
Secondly after the findings, why impose the Sanction on Newco that LNS explicitly stated in his Decision was exclusively Oldco’s?
Why was it only after the CoS decision that Newco paid the fine?
In the light of the fact that it looks very much like the SPL Lawyers were briefed to ensure no Sporting Breaches were determined only Financial ones so Rangers Football Club were in the clear and only the Old Company (il) were responsible for breaches.
When LNS determined the amount of the Financial sanction he was only too aware (or so he thought) this fine would go into Rangers FC PLC(il)’s creditors pot.
My Take – By shifting the Fine to Newco the SPFL and SFA were hoping to give the illusion that Newco had been sanctioned for the Rangers EBT scandal.
They hoped folk may say – they’ve been punished enough.
In light of the fact that Ralph Topping wanted a heftier Sanctions*, Newco paid the fine once the Court of Session had agreed the appeal and the SFA & the SPFL say the case has been dealt with – it looks like this is exactly the smoke & mirrors we are dealing with.
* Justice could have arguably been done with with stronger sanctions but for over a decade of cheating, involving dozens of Players, amassing 14 major trophies and £49Million quid – a £250K fine isn’t going to cut it.
Hail Hail
See sevco opening doors to belfast huns prior to the CL tie – but
it isn’t free £10 a pop
got to bring your own hard hat
Afteenoon
Just back from CP. Liked the look of Kendyu and Ntcham (check spelling. ed) and Ajer looked fine Less impressed by Hayes – though he was quite good last night. Nir B at centre back looked what he is – a midfielder. First half we moved the ball round well and shaded it. 2nd half was men against boys once the changes made.
As for Topping’s remarks well I had said half seriously a year ago that 2017/8 would be my last aa I would have done my 50 years plus 1 of active support. As there seems to be a three line whip to sweep under the carpet the misdeeds of the old Rangers and to ridicule those who suggest otherwise at the highest level of our game I have to sadly say that this will be my last after all.
Apologies for what matbe some poor spelling but I left my good soecs at work.
Jimbo67
Ha Ha Ha.
I’ve just read James Forrest on The Celtic Blog.
That clown Halliday not joining in the huddle with his new club,as it is associated with Celtic.
Seriously “these people” need help, they are unhinged.
Hail Hail
Well, that must be the wettest (pre) season friendly ever. It rained all the way from Largs to Parkhead and back again and now, mirabile dictu, the sun is shining.
I was very impressed by our 2 new recruits and Kouassi. They all looked as if they could contribute to the team. Ajer too. Izzy could walk into any other SPFL team.
Anyone know why MacGregor was given offside when he “scored”?
I was gonna give an intro to this,but I don’t have the words to do it justice.
It should be pasted at the top of every page,and on every t-shirt.
~~~~~~~~~~<>~~~~~~~~~~
AULDHEID on 15TH JULY 2017 3:01 PM
tonydonnelly67 on 15th July 2017 12:55 pm
Only a matter of time before PL gets questions asked about his integrity, dear oh dear oh dear :))
=======================
I can understand why you have said that, but if ever there was a time to rise above personal suspicions and past grievances at the Board and CEO it is now.
The people running our game are at best totally incompetent and at worst criminal in the sense of party to a fraud.
That is why they will not investigate further and that is why LNS was set up to give the appearance of an investigation.
Peter Lawwell has always said that he will act in Celtic’s best interests and it is my belief that it is now clearly in Celtic’s best interests to act and they will because they have to.
Not to would make Celtic the biggest victims of industrial scale cheating made all the worse because the cheats have escaped justice. There is no price that could be put on the cost of the damage to the ethos of Celtic, which to me is doing the right thing, and that is surely worth all Celtic supporters up to Board level worth fighting for?
Its what makes Celtic, Celtic.
Celtic as potential trophy and associated prize money winners have a bigger stake in this matter than any of the other clubs in financial terms so it is understandable if other clubs are less concerned but not Celtic.
BRTH has pointed out the findings of UEFA on the Giannina case, where a failure to reveal private agreements in Giannina accounts was viewed by UEFA as failing the requirement under Article 47 and related Annex for accounts to be a “fair presentation” of business.
The financial cost of the SFA failure to pick up on RFC’s use of ebts, especially with Campbell Ogilivie joining the SFA in 2003, is a matter of concern to shareholders in Celtic and so to the Board.
The more folk appreciate the skulduggery at play, the more angry they get. Celtic men on the Board cannot be immune to that anger themselves or unaware of it amongst a support who, with the Affiliation and CST being much more informed on the skulduggery , are growing more aware day by day of the mugs they are being treated as by Doncaster and Regan and the men pushing them from behind.
As Paul says this is SPFL trying to hide behind legals. If the same legals who advised SPL Board not to appeal on the grounds that revealing ebt side letters would not have changed the tax position (which was at that time ebts were lawful) then how can the same legals do somersaults and say that there are no grounds for appeal now ebts as used by RFC are unlawful?
Why when one of the planks on which LNS was based, “there was no question of dishonesty” has been revealed as ridden with wood rot as result of CW trial testimony regarding lieing to HMRC about side letters, can any QC advise the SPFL Board that LNS was sound?
This has been one long saga of non disclosure and what Topping and company do not want to be disclosed is the role the SFA and SPL played by their failure to disclose information damaging to their cover up attempt.
For wearing green and white
Parkheadcumsalford
My seat was right in line and thiught he might have been off. But my minces are not what they were !
Jimbo67
Andy Halliday keeping in with the hordes hoping to get a ticket back once Pedro is given his jotters in Sep. A poor excuse for a footballer playing to the masses (excuse the pun)
I hear the huns dont do envy either.
I hope Celtic[ are you listening Hawthorn] have a suitably equipped security apparatus in place for Wednesday night ,in my opinion it is a massive mistake to provide this club with tickets.
MAGS
The huns don’t do much bar hate.
MAGS
Hun v right.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x326t00
The situation we are in now is similar to the one the British legal system was in when they couldn’t admit any wrongdoing so it was better to leave innocent Irish people locked up rather than do the right thing
An appalling vista was the phrase used
So instead of saying the club formerly known as rangers did anything wrong and I mean anything we have this blatant failure to even attempt to do the right thing
To say the game we love is at a crossroads is an understatement
Jeso when did Oneils turn into to drouthy’s
evening all
glad young Ajer done well today,
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA DIGNITY HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
https://mobile.twitter.com/UptonClanBoxing/status/886184728914800644/video/1
FORAPEOPLEANDACAUSE
Appalling vista just about sums it up
Oh,shit,we are f….d unless we cover it up also does the trick.
History tells you truth will come out. It always does.
My life is now complete as Prestonpans is an answer on Pointless…………
Missed the game today, couldn’t be helped, looking forward to seeing the game on Utube later.
Only once have I ever been in close quarter to Linfield supporters, they were in Dublin to play St. Pats a few years ago, the Guards stopped every bus on the outskirts of Dublin and escorted them to the ground, never seen such tight security for a football match, fair play to the Guards they did things by the book and they were escorted out of the city the same way, pity nobody thought that the game itself was as important, a few huns managed to spoil things but again fair play to the Guards they quelled it as quick as it started, scum is what scum does.
I agree with Dessybhoy, a bad move letting them loose in Celtic Park, but the smell of money will have been to much to turn down.
Have not been able to read back all of the posts in the last week. Has anyone mention the death of Michael Conroy Sen? He passed away during last week. RIP. Pray for his sons who mourn his passing.
Not to be confused with his son Mike Conroy Jun who also played for Celtic.
67 heaven
Chap using foul language says there’s kids about and continues swearing – sums it up
TET
don’t think we had a choice on tickets -UEFA would get involved – I am sure glasgow’s finest will keep everyone safe :(
TET
and – maybe some of them will see the light and leave the dark side.
THE EXILED TIM on 15TH JULY 2017 7:19 PM
I agree with Dessybhoy, a bad move letting them loose in Celtic Park, but the smell of money will have been to much to turn down
*mibbees we were obliged by UEFA to do so.
Gene
Didn’t know that we couldn’t refuse them tickets, Oh well.
As for your second point, not a hope in hell, there is none for them, once they have tasted the dark side, it’s fatal.
HH
Tontine
See my post to Gene.
You learn something new on CQN every day so you do.
HH
CONNAIRE 12
Never forget Mike Junior’s late goal against Hearts on a sunny Tuesday night to set up the climax to the season that was the 10 men, 4-2 game (which my mum God rest her soul wouldn’t let me go to). She let me go to the cup final though in 1980, my first Huns game, and Mike Jnr as a stand in centre back was outstanding. I can still see his hands in the air as Chicken George deflected Danny’s sclaff past Peter McCloy who went down like a bloack of flats! Great memories and I’ll pray for his old fella.
Celtic dont need 45k, the cost of policing the mob will be higher, no doubt another UEFA decision we are caught up in. Remember Ajax being escorted in to cause trouble, Police Scotland have been well warned and will need to be prepared.
from UEFA
14.06 All clubs in the competition must make at least 5% of the total capacity of their
stadium available exclusively to visiting supporters, in a segregated, safe
area. In addition, visiting clubs are entitled to purchase up to 200 top-category
tickets (unless otherwise agreed between the two clubs in question) for their
VIP supporters, sponsors, etc. (see Articles 16 and 23 of the UEFA Stadium
Infrastructure Regulations and Article 19 of the UEFA Safety and Security
Regulations).
So it could have been 3000 but they only asked for 1500
Connaire.
I am away on holiday and did not know of the passing of Michael senior.
A lovely man. Another long decline. And again maybe heading those leather balls played a part.
God rest him
They are only coming to wreck the toilets and to get themselves banned from Europe .
A last hurrah.
TREBLE WINNING CAPTAINS @ 3:48 PM,
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.
Sounds like there are moves afoot to ensure the Footballing Authorities do the right thing…
We live in hope, looking forward to Monday:)
Hail Hail
My condolences to the Conroy family on the loss of Michael Conroy senior.
May his soul rest in peace.
BMCUW @ 6:48 PM,
Another great piece by Auldheid, I’ll not be giving up hope as long as we have him and his ilk exposing the cheating.
Hail Hail
Ralph Topping is an anagram of ‘move along timmy’