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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I enjoyed our game today against a team who played as a team ,when they attacked the whole team moved forward and when they defended , they did it as a unit.
Their pressing game was very good . They were fast and stong along with what looked like very good coaching when they were younger. Their left back, Mendy, was very impressive.
Lyon were , in my mind, a bit dirty with all the pushing pulling and wee kicks at our players.
We started with three midfielders in defence with Ajer showing up the best . That’s the third time I have seen Mark Hill play for us and continues to impress me.
We played seven players , Wardrop, Miller, Hill , Aitchison, Benyu, McInroy and Hendry today whose last two games were for the developement team against EKFC and Elgin City over the last week. A huge jump in class of player they were up against today.
Ntcham had some great touches and Kouassi also. Much more match time required for these two in order for us to see what they can do.
FAIRHILLBHOY
O’Neill’s has been Drouthy’s for about 2 years now i think , enjoy St. Vincents !
15TH JULY 2017 6:10 PM
Auldheid and BRTH….what did Celtic say? :)
======
Read my post about it not being in Celtic’s interest to ignore.
They aren’t and if I said anymore I’d have to take out a contract on you. :)
Evening all.
A wee mention to all of you who wished Minx1888 and I best wishes on our wedding last week. Thank you it was greatly appreciated.
Also huge thanks to those of you who were there to help us celebrate the occasion and a special thank you for your incredible generosity!
It was an absolutely incredible day and we both just smiled from start to finish. The fact that it ended up a bit of a Celtic singalong made it even more special!
Chair boy 6.19
Even without the evidence of unlawful ebts not being considered, the constructs put on player registration and accepted by a lawyer, who has never ran a football team in his life where a simple error on team lines can have a result turning impact, makes no sense to us who have been in that position.
Bryson handles registrations from all associations so quite how his interpretation is handled by them will be interesting. Every club pulled up for an administration error should appeal.
Furthe if an ineligible player becomes a la Bryson eligible if a fault is not picked up at registration, what is to deter clubs all the way up from amateur level taking a risk if they think it will pay off?
I think as an ex amateur club manager it is that about Bryson that incenses me apart from then realising there was a fix.
This is what happens when the health of our game is left with folk who can only measure it in financial terms.
“Topping Ralph”……….
…sounds like the title of a guid book!
:)
HHH.
HT delighted for both of you
Chair boy
On your other point about the decision being predestined there is a document framed in secret this most not be made public language where in April 2012 tge SPL guaranteed to Green that titles would not be stripped.
Not a lot of attention was paid to the Paul McConville blog that revealed this at the time but now, that guarantee given at that time, shows why whoever gave it do not want the case revisited.
These guys are pulling our chain. Time they were flushed away.
HT
Great you & mrs ht’s day went well.
HH
congrats ht
HT
An absolutely fabulous day mate. Thank you for letting Mrs TGCW and myself be part of it. Love to Minx xxx
On the improperly registered players point. Where do we stand following the honest sandy bryson’s claim in his testimony that players were registered legitimately, and SPL lawyer rod McKenzie stating that there was no way of retrospectively revoking the registration.
Surely although honest sandy thought the players were registered legitimately, he now knows that he and his colleagues were the victims of a deliberate deception, and surely after the supreme court ruling, rod mckenzie must change his opinion.
Anybody got any thoughts.
TGCW
For a best man ye did awrite ya absolute rocket!
UTLR
Auldheid @8:43
Is there a link to that document? I don’t remember seeing that one.
Cheers
bhoywithseethrougheyes on 15th July 2017 8:59 pm
On the improperly registered players point. Where do we stand following the honest sandy bryson’s claim in his testimony that players were registered legitimately, and SPL lawyer rod McKenzie stating that there was no way of retrospectively revoking the registration.
Surely although honest sandy thought the players were registered legitimately, he now knows that he and his colleagues were the victims of a deliberate deception, and surely after the supreme court ruling, rod mckenzie must change his opinion.
Anybody got any thoughts.
=================
A very good point in that if an enquiry were held it would be a question put to Bryson.
Mr Bryson: In light of events since you gave testimony where dishonesty has been uncovered both when registering and setting up the commission do you stand by your original construct?
This is why an enquiry is essential.
HT
HT ;-))
Mike In Toronto
There was one on the Paul McConville blog which is at
https://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/rangers-given-no-title-stripping-guarantee-in-secret-spl-deal-by-ecojon/
In the article itself there is a link to the document on Scribd but it was removed on solicitors orders.
“This content was removed at the request of Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP ”
That is how important keeping it a secret is.
If there was an enquiry the circumstances surrounding the issue of it would top my list on LNS.
Can’t recall his name, I think it was Daryl Broadfoot, the sfa’s spokesman, he laid it on the line, as long as people are willing to contribute cash to the game nothing will be done about anything, withhold your cash they will act, straight from the horses mouth, yet people still think they will get justice if they don’t.
And we laugh at the huns for being stupid
Thanks Auldheid,
The more the light shines on these characters the more revulsed I become.
Big respect to you and the res12 guys.
#stripthetitles
A quick one
Spoke to mark Reid at golf today
You took a grand penalty
Think he was chuffed
“I was delighted to see our fans here as well. They were advised to stay away but they still came. It was great they did.”
Scott Brown on last night’s game in Belfast.
TET- Broadfoot is a hun Placeman mate HH
Cosy Corner Bhoy, Mark was another very underrated player for us .
The last minute penalty versus what was the huns in the 1984 league cup final took some guts to take and boy did he hit it with some venom.
Just apply the rules, no more, no less
#makeabanner
Bada
I know.
HH
……..Last Orders for Brandy Syphon………
Bada
You walking to Parkhead on London Rd about 1:15 today?
Uncle Hugh in the House…
Jobo: Hope you and your family had a lovely day today
Cowiebhoy: You are in my thoughts tonight.
Erratic: I hope the sound system is good in Croak Park:-)
Exiled Tim
Broadfoot made the comments when he met J.Clark from the Scottish football monitor website . The most arrogant thing I’ve ever read .
Broadfoot has now flew the nest . Gone before the Whyte trial .
Whether it’s the Association , the Green Brigade or the Celtic Trust ,the message is clear that the PLC need made aware that platitudes won’t be enough to keep this one quiet . The LNS stitch up , is one too far .
More than enough evidence for a new review .
HT .
Gutted I couldn’t make it at night . Glad you both had a wonderful day . PFAyr was telling me about it last night . Sounded a great day . HH
KevJ 9.56pm
“Canny be bothered with all this”
Could have saved yourself about a couple of hunner posts :-)
Not saw any of the game last night yet……
Scott Sinclair CSC
The Griff CSC
Sleekit hun opportunists………………..
ANGELGABRIEL
There has been enough evidence since way before the SC decision the other week to crucify them, so I am not buying all the bullshit, nothing will be done, the season books have been bought and next year is a long, long way away, people will forget, the Celtic support won’t bother their arse as long as we are winning on the pitch and any who do decided that enough is enough will easily be replaced by others who don’t give a feck..
I know people will sight the fact the huns went bust, that they did, but I am reminded on a daily basis that a team calling themselfs rangers still play out of ibrox, they still control all the powers that need controlling, still cheat with total impunity, the decisions now rest in scotland, also the cabal is way too powerful.
You can mark my words on this, nothing will be done.
With respect I am getting sick of hearing the club are waiting till the time is right, they are keeping their powder dry, never heard so much pish in all my life, the club are as bad as the huns who run the game, money is all they care about and that will become clear to one and all soon enough.
Am away to get pished now :-)
HH
Enjoyed a lot of the game today. I understand lots who don’t like friendly games. I felt today was actually more interesting than most and actually quite promising in some ways despite the crazy score.
I hope more ST holders attend on Wednesday as there are lots of non ST holders who would love to see their heroes if they could get a ticket but they are sold out.
It was good to be back and hearing the positivity of so many of the supporters about the season ahead and the state our club are in. Many feeling this as good a time as there has ever been to support Celtic. Such a stark contrast to many of the half wits on here who never go near supporting our club but come out with sad bitter attention seeking crap every day to justify their pathetic little ‘too clever or principled to support celtic’ status.
Loving supporting Celtic right now. Never been so good in my memory.
Burnley 78 .
I agree that we’re privileged to be watching a Brendan inspired Celtic these days .
May I ask , given your business background , how important is the governance of football in this country and what measures would you recommend that Peter Lawwell takes in light of recent court cases ?
HAMILTONTIM:
I hope your having a ball on honeymoon.
Thanks for a wonderful night and allowing M and I to share such a special evening.
As you posted the Celtic finale was just superb.
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!