The “Lawwell Letter” is trending everywhere this week. To elucidate, it is email sent to (among others) Peter Lawwell and Eric Riley of Celtic on 26 July 2012 by SPL CEO Neil Doncaster.
The email came with an attached copy of the Five Way Agreement (hereafter “5WA”, the deal between Sevco, Rangers, the SFA, the SPL and the SFL). Now that it has been made public, it seems safe to speak openly about what it all means for us as folk who believe in sporting integrity.
I would preface my comments with a caveat though. On the face of it, the Celtic Chief Executive appears to have misled the gathering at the recent Celtic AGM. He was asked by a shareholder if Celtic were involved in the Five Way Agreement. Lawwell replied, “No”, and gave same “No” response to the follow up question, “have you seen it?”
Given that a copy of that email was in the possession of a few folk before that AGM, I have to admit to being surprised by that answer – although even more surprised at the apparent lack of due diligence implied by the lack of knowledge of its content.
We have attempted to contact Mr Lawwell to ask him if he would like to comment on the apparent discrepancy between the evidence and his answer (and I am sure we are not the only ones to have done so). To date, we have received no response. Given the complete lack of acknowledgement of the existence of this anomaly in the MSM, we should perhaps assume that none will be forthcoming.
Perhaps there is an explanation (yes I know), but Celtic should know, like Rangers old and new have come to realise, that silence on these matters breeds deep suspicion and distrust.
Assuming for the minute that Occam’s Razor applies here, there may be an uncomfortable truth emerging for Celtic fans – that Rangers (old and new) do not have a monopoly on dishonesty. There is also an uncomfortable truth that should emerge for Rangers fans too – that as we have said all along, this has never been about just Rangers, but about the governance of the game.
If the Celtic CEO did lie to the AGM a few weeks ago what are the consequences? He broke no laws as far as I can see. One insider I spoke to said simply this,
“So he lied. So what? What happens now? It’s irrelevant”
That is of course absolutely true. As long as controlling shareholders are happy that Resolution 12 is buried, and that no deep inquiry into governance is held into the workings of the game in Scotland, the lie is nonpunishable, though it would be a mistake to believe that accountability is confined only to the corporate rules governing Boards and shareholders; the corporate veil of “I was only following company policy” can be readily challenged in the court of public opinion, which has no statute of limitations.
What all this demonstrates of course is that Celtic have been saying one thing to their fans and shareholders, nodding agreement in private meetings about how appalling Rangers behaviour was, tut-tutting over how amateurish the authorities were, and wringing their hands in frustration at what a sham the LNS inquiry turned out to be.
At the same time, they have done nothing, allowed small shareholders to spend not inconsiderable suns progressing the matter, and quietly hoped that the “appetite” for justice would diminish so they could get back to whatever it is they and the rest do when subject to little or no scrutiny.
Whilst ten in a row is on the table of course, they can get away with it. To Celtic fans right now, understandably, nothing else matters. But what if TIAR is derailed? Not a stretch to imagine that the Parkhead kitchen could get uncontrollably hot in that circumstance. And when the TIAR squirrel finally ends its scurry, in either success or failure, where will the fans attention be diverted?
Perhaps the arrogance that permits making (allegedly) false statements to a general meeting, and (allegedly) misleading shareholders over Res 12 is borne of the knowledge that the parachutes are ready to be deployed when either of the above scenarios come to pass? If TIAR is achieved or goes south, are they already prepared for an emergency exit?
Celtic have two major shareholders whose combined holding is over 50% of the club’s shares. Dermot Desmond and Nick Train. Desmond is now in his eighth decade and Train is reportedly having some business difficulties. Both may well be moved to get out anyway, but fan unrest would make their decision a whole lot easier.
And Lawwell himself is – if you believe the MSM – on the wanted list of nearly as many top clubs as Alfredo Morelos.
The foregoing of course is extremely “Old Firm” centric, and as the two biggest clubs in the country they certainly have the biggest impact on the game, culturally, socially and financially. However there is no get-out clause here for others.
We KNOW there is evidence of fraud surrounding the licencing issue in 2012. We KNOW there is evidence of a cover up over that, and the EBT-related registration issues for Old Rangers. We KNOW that the Five Way Agreement was signed by football authorities in the knowledge that it would rob their own rules of judicial authority with regard to compliance by RFC prior to 2012.
We also know that NOT ONE club has taken a meaningful stand against any of it.
Clubs are saying one thing to supporters and doing their best to derail those supporters’ efforts on the other. We can also infer (not unreasonably) that the folk who run the clubs think that we as fans have no right to interfere in how they run their operations.
As I said earlier, Celtic can do what they like whilst TIAR is live, but afterwards, however it ends, the fans and shareholders involved in Res 12 will still be asking questions. Celtic in particular know how fatal it can be to alienate their own fan base – a fan base that has flexed its muscles with devastating effect for the boardroom in the past. And it is the wrath of the fans of all clubs that will eventually see the charlatans get their just desserts.
Our job as fans is to continue to hold those who care little for the honour and beauty of football to account, to continue to press them on their refusal to deal with arguably the biggest sporting scandal in Scottish history.
The bottom line (which is of course what the folk in boardrooms care about) is this. They need us far more than we need them. As fans of different clubs, the sensibility of those of us at SFM recognises that the real battle, the real war, is not between rival fans or rival clubs, but between the arrogant, self-entitled clique who run our game; who lie for fun, who cheat and belittle the sport; and the good folk who make it possible for the game to prosper.
Resolution 12 is not just about Rangers – nor is it just about Celtic. It deserves to be embraced by every true football fan in the country. The Res 12 franchise needs to widened
Sooner or later the fans will demonstrate their unhappiness with the money men. They did it in 2012, and they will inevitably do so again.
EJ, thanks for that reply. Andy (my pal) is an honest and clever man but I thought he might have been over-egging it a bit because of his emotional ties to Hearts. But it would seem not!
The whole thing should have been project managed with the club just looking over their shoulders in terms of costs and timescales etc. Club executives should be at arms length, they don’t have the expertise. Celtic suffer from the same problem with PL acting like a Director of Football. There are many other issues he should be dealing with. Like at Hampden.
The "podcast" issue seems to be escalating. The BBC still haven't put it up. The Daily Record has complained to the BBC that Michael Stewart was wrong in his assertion that the paper ran the brake tampering story. That could be the reason for the non publication, unless Rangers themselves have made a similar request.
I suspect MS might be in receipt of a lawyer's letter before too long, or perhaps suspended by the BBC pending further investigations.
To add further fuel to the fire, Graham Spiers has added his tuppenceworth.
Graham Spiers@GrahamSpiers1h
What Rangers FC could do with a young, modern, creative PR guru instead of an old blowhard 40 years in the business harbouring deep-seated grudges against sections of the media. A disaster.
Sorry EJ, I meant to add, the Club should have employed a Quantity Surveyor on a consultancy basis to act on their behalf to watch over costs and contract obligations.
I wondered about that myself when Michael Stewart mentioned the Record. I thought it was the Scottish Sun.
I'm wondering with the Michael Stewart outburst and now Spiers, is the tide turning against traynor? if so, not before time in my opinion
'easyJambo 4th February 2020 at 12:30
….The Daily Record has complained to the BBC that Michael Stewart was wrong in his assertion that the paper ran the brake tampering story…'
#########################
As an aside to the above; the Daily Record has a piece timed at 2150 yesterday which states that Morelos has told a Colombian radio station that he thought, 'the person was trying to sabotage his car by tampering with the brakes':
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-alfredo-morelos-claims-my-21423944
I don't know if that radio interview has been referenced by any other blatt.
easyJambo 3rd February 2020 at 23:52 David Low@Heavidor3h Four of us unrepentant types down here @ the Turnberry Hotel restaurant when in walk the RIFC board for a strategy meeting; sat down at the table next, looked up, stood up and left. Funny as ………. couldn’t make it up ======================= Decisions, decisions, decisions to be made , but not in the present company, thanks!
__________
Not so surprising that the TRFC board walked out on noticing a well know Celtic man, much more surprising that the TRFC board members should find it necessary to hold a meeting (or something that DL's presence caused them so much concern) in such a public, but not so public as to be anonymous, place. Could they possibly be discussing something so serious that they are afraid to be overheard by the Ibrox mole? (If, indeed, one does exist.)
I'm genuinely bemused by the need in the first place to hold a board meeting (or a meeting of board members) so far from the boardroom, while, at the same time, holding it in such a public (ok, not available to Joe Public) place, where not only fellow diners but ever nosey waiters are there to hang onto every juicy word uttered.
Are the ears on Ibrox walls so big and sensitive?
Allyjambo 4th February 2020 at 16:06:
Even stranger when you consider that Trump Turnberry can offer private dining facilities (the Trump Boardroom) for up to ten people.
Then again, perhaps their Christmas vouchers weren't valid for that option!
Here's the view of a journalist who covers South American football. I assume he is fluent in Spanish.
Simon Edwards@SimonEdwardsSAF
South American football journalist. Colombia expert for @WorldFootballi Copa Libertadores & South American Football Show. Luxury #10, Paisa chiviado, Mono.
Simon Edwards@SimonEdwardsSAF
What Morelos actually says in this interview:
"There have been a lot of racist gestures towards me. Including in Aberdeen with my mum, she was with me & they threw coins, threw everything. Sometimes when I celebrate goals in away games"
"But no, I am a person who moves forward. Who doesn't stop… who doesn't pay much attention because the truth is it is my work and it's my passion to score goals and I know the others fans won't like that".
"Are you ever worried about your safety?"
"I don't know what they wanted to do, I don't know what they are going to do. They hadn't done what they wanted. If I hadn't noticed that the kid was under the car I don't know what could have happened"
In the interview he doesn’t once mention Celtic specifically but rather points to the racism & abuse he has received from away fans during his time in Scotland In passing he mentions one incident where his mother was in the ground playing against Aberdeen
Despite never once mentioning Celtic in the interview, every article has taken the inaccurate translation and lead with ‘Morelos slams racist Celtic’. The racist incidents are serious and it needs to be reported but this is a complete distortion of what was said or intended.
A wee thought on Turnberrygate.
While it might be interesting to know which RIFC/TRFC board members were present, it would be even more interesting to know which board members were missing (DK obviously).
Oh, does anyone know if a rather portly PR man was seen at the restaurant door instructing those staunchest of the staunch to leave? You know, just as an early era TRFC manager was unceremoniously hauled (metaphorically speaking) from an Ibrox press conference!
I suspect it's a close one, but would I be wrong to suggest that using racism as a slur against a person, business or football supporters is in the same ball park as those who would shout out those vile racist remarks? I'm not in any way downplaying the disgusting behaviour of racists, whether within football or society as a whole, but rather questioning the morality of those ever ready to use it to stigmatize sections of society they view as not their own.
Anyone got access to a copy of Saturday's Daily Record (I know, I know).
Jim Craig asked me to buy a copy and scan his column, but I forgot. He's in NZ right now so cant get it himself
Now Celtic has their say in a spat with Sky Sports translation.
http://www.celticfc.net/news/17492
The article starts:
Sky Sports have apparently now taken the Morelos interview down from their website. Celtic’s call for clarification raises really serious issues. It is fair to assume Celtic have employed a language expert to get a translation of what Morelos said. If Sky have deliberately put comments up on the subtitles Morelos did not actually say then where on earth does that leave them as a broadcaster, and who was responsible for it?
upthehoops 4th February 2020 at 18:41
============================
The Daily Record has put up a full translation and compared it to what Sky put up in its subtitles.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-rangers-star-alfredo-morelos-21428201.amp?__twitter_impression=true
Big Pink
I have a copy of Jim's article (the wife buys 'The Ha'penny Liar' on a Saturday for the crossword – honest boss!), but I wouldn't know how to get it to you!
easyJambo 4th February 2020 at 18:45
———————————————–
The difference in what the Daily Record translation says compared to what Sky said is significant. Did Sky simply accept a 'translation' from someone???????
So BBC Sportsound starts with an apology to Jim Traynor! Heaven help us. Then go on to discuss at length the pundits anguish at LG not getting a retrospective red card.
What about the huge media story that Sky are up to their necks in it? Sky have had to pull the dishonestly presented interview with Morelos. Bearing in mind that accusations of racist stuff against Morelos by Celtic fans was a hot topic last night, words fail me.
Not deemed to be newsworthy? Not worth a comment or two?
Bect67
If you can take a photo of it send it to bigpink@sfm.scot?
Having just listened to the Sportsound audio above;
the fact that the PR person himself is the focus – rather than his Client’s business – tells you all you need to know about his PR management skills, IMO.
Karma would be a large bloke falling on his Gladius…!
The sad thing is Traynor will be loving this. There’s no such thing as bad publicity etc.
And here’s me contributing to it!
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1224419268575612930/pu/vid/1280×720/uqYRYpakIu9OwMGv.mp4?tag=10
Tony that sounds like a more honest interpretation!
jmbo
lol,my mate sent me it
Michael Stewart
@mstewart_23
Impossible to thank everyone who has been in touch today, it’s been incredible the variety of people who’ve been in contact, but I appreciate every word of support and encouragement. I’ll keep saying it as I see it 1/2
Michael Stewart
@mstewart_23
Imposible agradecer a todos los que han estado en contacto hoy, ha sido increíble la variedad de personas que han estado en contacto, pero agradezco cada palabra de apoyo y aliento. Seguiré diciéndolo tal como lo veo. 2/2
top trolling
Knicked from reddit
Daily Record – New twist in Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos' interview scandal as Sky distance themselves from translation
u/sjekky10m
Another surprising twist! I wonder who it was that controlled the translation and subtitling of an interview with Rangers star player by a Rangers supporting journalist in Rangers training complex. We'll just have to hope that story comes out down the line!
From the BBC:
"On this occasion we did not adhere to our editorial values and standards and we have reminded those concerned of their responsibility to follow our guidelines while working for the BBC."
I would simply say that BBC radio Scotland in relation to the death of Rangers FC of 1872 has insistently and consistently fostered and propagated the absurd Lie created by the lying Governance body of Scottish Football; and therefore has the editorial values and standards of a Josef Goebbels.
Like the creature to whom they now apologise, they initially spoke Truth: but when pressure was applied or personal advantage beckoned they sold their souls like the vilest turncoats in history.
And have for seven years supported and propagated the most risible untruth that RFC of 1872 did not cease to exist as a football club eligible to play in Scottish professional (or even amateur!) football.
The rot , of course, is at the top.
Everyday programme presenters are small fry obeying orders ( as thousands of Nazis claimed as their defence-didn't make them good persons, and it does not make the everyday programme producers and presenters 'good persons' but , in my opinion, moral cowards.
It's the big bad moral Quislings at the top of the BBC in Scotland that should be hunted out: the ones who did not have the courage to stand up to the bloody nonsense they got from the now defunct Editorial Board, and who now like Nazi gauleiters collaborate in the lying propaganda and make their underlings do the same.
My contempt for such knows no depths, and no bounds.
And I cast their hypocritical cant about editorial values and standards back in their lying faces.
To think we pay their wages!
I have my doubts that Sky produced either the Morelos interview or the translation, the whole thing seems quite amateurish, and note that PMGB has heard that it was given to Sky by Morelos' agent.
It doesn't seem to me to be something an agent would put together, either, off his own bat as it serves no purpose in that it hardly increases his client's standing or value. It's more like something either put together by TRFC or by someone acting, or thinking he was acting, on their behalf, then given to Morelos' agent to pass to Sky. Plus, of course, he's wearing his TRFC t-shirt and it looks like it's been recorded at Auchenhowie, so certainly it's been given the club's OK (I nearly said 'blessing'
).
In truth, the dodgy translation, itself, doesn't make Morelos appear any better a person, or better footballer, than the more accurate one and I can't imagine what the agent could gain by such an obvious misinterpretation. Did the person, people or company that put it together not realise that there are people out there who can speak both Spanish and English perfectly?
Regardless of whose cock up this is it appears Morelos is being used in some game he is probably not aware he is participating in. That's two rather extreme PR disasters in less than a week, one that involved a situation that would have been better, for Morelos, to have been kept quiet, and another straight out of Comedy Central.
If TRFC did comedy…they'd still be losing money
tony 4th February 2020 at 23:13
'…I wonder who it was that controlled the translation and subtitling of an interview with Rangers star player by a Rangers supporting journalist in Rangers training complex. '
++++++++++++++
That question reminded me of Caroline Aherne's famous question to Debbie McGee, Paul Daniel's partner: " So what attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?'
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/caroline-aherne-dead-mrs-merton-debbie-mcgee-what-attracted-you-to-millionaire-paul-daniels-a7115801.html
The answer was/is kind of obvious!
'Allyjambo 4th February 2020 at 23:26
'..Regardless of whose cock up this is …'
+++++++++++++
As you say, Allyjambo, TRFC PR has been well and truly shafted!
Oops, am I dyslexic? Word order can be a problem.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51368596
Coincidence or what? But the BBC, those bastions of truth, are running a story that starts –
'Rangers manager Steven Gerrard hopes the racial slurs Alfredo Morelos says he has been subjected to will not drive the striker out of Scottish football.'
and goes on at some length about poor Morelos and his claims of racist insults – obviously from supporters of every team (but by insinuation Celtic supporters) bar TRFC, who are, of course, the good guys when it comes to racism.
Does anyone else feel this is beginning to look like a pre-conceived, concerted campaign to make TRFC look better/innocent in comparison with other clubs' supporters and one club's supporters in particular? Pre-conceived and concerted, maybe, but not at all planned well!
If TRFC did bogitry and racism…Oh wait!
The interview was carried out by Craig Slater a Sky Sports reporter. Regardless of who did the actual subtitling it was in the hands of Sky, it was their responsibility. Whether an employee or someone brought in, it’s their baby. They broadcast it with their name on it. The bigger question is WHY? What was the agenda? Who’s agenda?
That was not a poor translation. That was mischief making to put it mildly.
The Evening Times has a rather controversial headline based on what is now being shown to be a badly translated interview.
Racists 0 Morelos 1.
Another statement from Celtic on the cards perhaps? I’m anticipating a whole new batch of court cases emanating from this mess. No need to reference the common denominator here.
John Clark
I think we all know, that's a couple of pr disasters lately, I think it's time for a so called pr guru to be relieved of his duties
Is that the throat cutting actions now forgot about as everyone focuses on the dodgy translation now? Job done it would appear
The bottom line is that Sky are responsible for what gets broadcast on Sky , saying that I would be surprised if they were responsible for this blatant smear attempt . Does his agent have access to editing facilities or ability to add subtitles ? I think it more likely that someone involved in Rangers* PR Dept with access to facilities at say Rangers* TV could have prepared the video then handed it to an unsuspecting SkySports producer for airing. Traynor isn't the type to retire quietly into the night , and the band played on……….
Timtim
The guy at sky will end up being the fall guy for not checking and going on trust, he won't do that again
I have seen poor translations in the past. They are usually humorous, using slightly the wrong words but we know what they mean. That wasn't the case here. That translation was total fabrication in parts.
Allyjambo 4th February 2020 at 23:51
‘..Does anyone else feel this is beginning to look like a pre-conceived, concerted campaign to make TRFC look better/innocent in comparison with other clubs’ supporters and one club’s supporters in particular? ‘
I remember asking in a post a year or three/four/five years ago whether there was any journalistic sports reporting and analysis course in any of our universities or other academic institutions.
Answer was there none.
Our sports journalists are just like putty in the hands of those who give them some handout, which they faithfully reproduce in their ‘copy’, without any kind of questioning or hard analysis of what they are told.
Puff- puff PR stuff , for which they do no real journalism, but for which they get paid by the column inch ( or the modern day equivalent).
Betrayers of the essence of true journalism.
The bast..ds!
I have read several times on social media that the Morelos interview, and how it was translated was a 'PR disaster'. However, as we all know a lie can fly round the world twice before the truth gets out of bed. As far as many observers will still be concerned, Morelos suffered racist abuse as he left the pitch at Celtic Park on 29th December, and that has been the line getting pushed since a couple of days after the game. The BBC Scotland website makes no reference to the false translation of the interview, but has a big story about the Rangers Manager talking about the racial abuse Morelos gets, and how big a problem it is in Scotland. I am not saying for one minute there is no racial abuse dished out at football games in Scotland, but as yet there has been no evidence of any against Morelos, other than the line continually pushed by his club. This is a club of course who have had action taken against them this season by UEFA because of racist chanting by their fans.
In my view the tactics being employed by whoever is behind this latest issue work big style, and many casual observers will still believe Morelos suffers sustained racial abuse, and in particular at the game on the 29th. When the national broadcaster would rather issue an apology rather than even mention that the interview in question has seemingly been doctored we are in a very bad place. Unless Celtic are willing to take this inside a court it won't stop in my view.
With deflection shields in overdrive it’s easy for The Rangers fans to forget that their team dropped 5 points out of 6 in a week. This doesn’t by itself hand the league title to Celtic but certainly shows up the weaknesses in the The Rangers first team squad which is directly related to a shortage of funds. On a slightly different note I see that Andy Jackson (Hearts fan) is under fire on Twitter because he pointed out the bleedin’ obvious about Lambogate and the car crash interview.
On Monday an event of huge Scottish and UK significance happened.
I’m not referring to Michael Stewart being honest on the Radio Shortbread evening filler football debate.
No I’m referring to the cynical Trumpian decision by Boris and Dominic to exclude some left wing titles from a special press briefing.
I’ve since read that there was a righteous reaction and that the good southern based journalists like Laura Kuenssberg staged a walk out in protest.
You’d think that that would be news and we’d hear about it.
But no it seems to have been a non story to those who dictate what we get to hear about.
Well yesterday it was granddaughter day with a walk along the front into Leith to our favourite wee cafe with the best bacon rolls in the world.
As we sat down baby was asleep and I picked up the coffee shop’s copy of The Scottish Sun as some guy in a suit and tie had already picked up the local rag and it was a Hobson’s Choice of The Sun or nothing.
The paper was right behind the story …
It was easy to see the front page and inside DPS were coordinated and shouting with words leaping off the pages.
Was it righteous indignation about our journalists being kept out of a briefing at No 10 and the implications for Scotland?
No it was about The Sun’s take on a third party and as we now know hugely inaccurate translation of an interview with Scottish Football’s South American striker.
The Scottish Sun editor had really put his journalistic weight behind this huge and as he saw it a very necessary story.
Front page headline was “Alfie My Racism Hatred
Inside DPS was a few heads including Alfie’s anger at Sicko fans insults
But as wee Jimmy Cricket used to say – “Wait there’s more”…
The huge story also spilled into the sports pages first onto the back page “I was just telling hate mob the game was over” and the inside back page spread too with “Ref’s don’t treat me like other players”.
So 5 pages in the biggest selling Scottish and UK tabloid on a story based first on inaccurate translation and then enhanced and flavoured by inherent bias and a drive to attract a particular audience and fill space that could have criticised Boris and his cabal.
The most read and therefore important 5 pages in a title that is owned by a billionaire who doesn’t live in the UK and who doesn’t pay UK taxes.
5 pages of utter diatribe from named “journalists” who must know what they are doing is a charade.
My take on it all is we live in a society where truth is not always welcomed and where the media is manipulative to get particular messages across.
We know that because of how the media wagons have circled since the demise of Sir David.
This is a football blog so I won’t dwell on the ethics of Boris and Dominic deciding only on briefing and working with complicit media titles but this trend has been the reality in Scottish Football for years.
It is going to get worse in this era of post truth and truths.
We have never more needed the Michael Stewarts, Jim Spences and John Clarks of this world.
Finloch
Part of the reason social media outlets are taking over from the print media is that the costly news gathering activity of the press has been replaced by cut’n’paste drivel from PR and succulent opinion.
We are not a match for the news gathering capacity of old, but we at least tregard the spin doctors sceptically and often intelligently. And of course we are equally (at least) qualified to express our opinions.
Ultimately, cost cutting on their core activity, and lowering the bar for entry to journalism ( also to cut costs) has done for the print media. Only a matter of time now.
As I asked previously , is there not a potential UEFA charge for racist chanting by TRFC fans in Porto to be considered in February , deferred as it happened only a week before a sold-out game at Ibrox ? Maybe trying to show the behaviour is the norm in Scotland ? And I think Morelos is refereed differently from other players in Scotland – he gets more latitude than Scott Brown .
Big Pink 5th February 2020 at 08:39
Finloch
Part of the reason social media outlets are taking over from the print media is that the costly news gathering activity of the press has been replaced by cut’n’paste drivel from PR and succulent opinion.
We are not a match for the news gathering capacity of old, but we at least tregard the spin doctors sceptically and often intelligently. And of course we are equally (at least) qualified to express our opinions.
Ultimately, cost cutting on their core activity, and lowering the bar for entry to journalism ( also to cut costs) has done for the print media. Only a matter of time now.
_________________
I think you are being way too kind on the media, BP. There is far more at play in their selective reporting than costs or incompetency/copy and paste. They are deliberately ignoring massive stories that would be easy and cheap to cover purely because it does not suit the owners of the various media outlets to have such truths exposed to the general public. Covering sport, pop music and banal beyond belief 'celebrities' is used to fill pages that should be full of the wrongdoings being perpetrated against us all, or, at least, against those of us not rich enough to enjoy the advantages of offshore accounts.
The media moguls, including the BBC, have their man/men in Downing Street, and they intend to keep him/them there to protect their own selfish interests – for ever if they can. Similarly, their minions/representatives in Scotland have their football club chasing it's first major title, and they are going to publish/not publish whatever they think will help/hinder that club fulfil their joint dream.
This is, of course, not a political blog, but I find it impossible to ignore the more serious one sided symbiotic relationships of the media within politics as well as within Scottish football. In some ways the similarity of the media coverage of the Rangers Saga and UK politics of the past few years makes me think the media used the cheating, dishonesty and collapse of Rangers, with the subsequent emergence of TRFC, as a testing ground for their plans to get their man into power. Sadly, it worked.
PS I enjoyed Finloch's original post on the subject, and agree with what he says in it.
I've just listened to the BBC's Sportsound intro last night when James Traynor was given an apology on the basis the previous night's discussion "was not fair and balanced" and didn't give Mr Traynor "an opportunity to respond".
Having listened to the previous night's discussion (without the help of the BBC) I can only concur that it was not fair and balanced. On one side we heard Michael Stewart telling the truth and on the other side we heard Kenny McIntyre and Darryl 'I Used To Be The SFA' Broadfoot blustering and deflecting. To be fair and balanced there should have been at least one more contributor telling the truth.
So far as being given an apology for being the subject of discussion without being given "an opportunity to respond" is concerned I'm confused.
I'm fairly sure that after the apology to a pillar of society whose reputation and public standing might be lowered there was a discussion which did not include "Well, Leigh, we say you're Guilty of Common Law Assault and the SFA are wrong not to hammer you. This is your opportunity to respond. If we didn't give you this opportunity it wouldn't be fair or balanced." Or can we expect an apology tonight in exactly the same words with the name Traynor being replaced by Griffiths? If not why not?
I don't pretend to understand how PR works but it's certainly made me totally forget all about how one club goes about its business. I don't remember a translation of an interview which cast fans as racists. Or press reports that someone tried to get under a car for sabotage purposes (by the reporting Police Scotland might want a word with Hen Broon; last known address Glebe Street). Or press reports that if anything was being sabotaged it was a marriage. Or the Manager of a club which has already been sanctioned (and still has cases outstanding?) for racism lecturing us that racism is A Bad Thing. Or a club Statement five weeks ago alleging racism which has been followed by zero evidence. Or two players playing Give Us A Clue; one miming a headshot and the other miming throatslitting. Or Court actions where the only constant is one club's bad faith. Or…I can't remember how many things I can't remember.
Some might think it's not fair and balanced but so long as they keep telling lies about us we'll keep telling the truth about them.
The BBC are reporting FOH are to become the majority shareholder in their club in April of this year. The fans actions and success in safeguarding Heart of Midlothian F.C.from any future exploitation is to be appluaded and envied.I did think I read on the blog earlier from either EJ or ALLY that there were some reservations to be had with regard to the leadership of the club after Ann Budge steps down. Would appreciate a quick catch up on Hearts fans thoughts on this if possible.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51383726
'Not fair and balanced'. Is that not a phrase the BBC have used before to ensure the 'Rangers' point of view is never challenged? I'm sure it will have been used (though not necessarily publicly) many times but the one that sticks out in my mind most is the time the late Paul McConville was invited onto BBC Radio Scotland to discuss things 'Rangers' and his invite was cancelled because the Real Rangers Man he was to debate with was suddenly unavailable (chickened out in reality). They cancelled his invite, according to them, because it would not now be a 'fair and balanced' discussion – and he was never invited on again. And yet, to this day, BBC Scotland is more than happy to fill its studios with ex-Rangers players and current supporters as was evident even in the broadcast in question.
Balance at BBC Scotland clearly means 'many more Rangers men present than all other clubs put together'.
While I very much doubt BBC Scotland are in any way concerned to keep things 'fair and balanced' where Scottish football is concerned, I'm pretty certain the following excerpt from their statement is genuine.
"On this occasion we did not adhere to our editorial values and standards and we have reminded those concerned of their responsibility to follow our guidelines while working for the BBC."
The question remains, though, what are these 'editorial values and standards' and 'guidelines' that seem to favour one club, and one club only, as Lugosi has so ably demonstrated above?
It's very much the case that what's good for the goose is good for the gander at BBC Scotland – where the goose = 'Rangers' of the day and the gander = BBC Scotland.
I’m really confused now. Is that the same BBC who are banned sine die from Ibrox and it’s environs and who are now falling over themselves to apologise for someone telling the truth on one of their (BBC) programmes?
In previous posts the link between The Sun and the establishment was highlighted. It’s just a coincidence I’m sure, that The Sun and SKY are owned by the same people.
Finloch 5th February 2020 at 08:29
'..we live in a society where truth is not always welcomed and where the media is manipulative to get particular messages across.
We know that because of how the media wagons have circled since the demise of Sir David.'
+++++++++++++++++
'The Scotsman' , Finloch, has an editorial this morning with the headline "Government cannot blacklist journalists"
The last paragraph of it reads:
" And it is a challenge to the freedom of the press that journalists must stand against. The alternative is to take an immoral, dishonest path towards providing increasingly obsequious coverage in the hope of avoiding being added to the blacklist"
What else, I ask the author of the editorial, has the SMSM been doing in the matter of Scottish football reporting other "take an immoral, dishonest path towards providing increasingly obsequious coverage" of the worst act of sports governance cheating Scottish Football has experienced by not only failing to denounce the 5-Way Agreement and the liars and cheats who were party to that but positively supporting and propagating on a daily basis the myth those wicked men created?
I suggest that the nameless author of that 'Editorial' is expressing nothing other than canting hypocrisy when he speaks of the British main-stream media sending a message to Government that it "will not collude in populist " tactics. There's not a newspaper in Scotland that tells the truth, the actual factual truth that the Rangers FC of 1872 died, and that TRFC is new kid on the block , with no sporting history of its own going back further than 2012.
Collusion in populism?
Unquestionably.
You have to laugh.
Whilst the print media is racing to the gutter with ultra-dumbed down content,
the BBC seems to regard itself as a bastion of truth in global media.
But, it's just the same as the other MSM outlets – just bigger, costlier and with a guaranteed income stream.
And we have all observed how cowardly the BBC in Scotland has covered mere football since 2012, in particular.
The reaction to Michael Stewart is simply another reason to mistrust the BBC… in a long list of more significant reasons to mistrust the State broadcaster.
AJ/EJ …..or anyone else.
I heard something in Edinburgh today regarding the new stand at Tynecastle.
Do either of you know if this is true?
It was mentioned to me today that although the stand belongs to Hearts, the corporate suites
will in some context "belong" to Ann Budge either in part or entirely.
????????
hs
https://www.channel4.com/news/by/alex-thomson/blogs/succulent-lamb-rack
Plus ça change. From 2013.
gunnerb 5th February 2020 at 12:19
The BBC are reporting FOH are to become the majority shareholder in their club in April of this year. The fans actions and success in safeguarding Heart of Midlothian F.C.from any future exploitation is to be appluaded and envied.I did think I read on the blog earlier from either EJ or ALLY that there were some reservations to be had with regard to the leadership of the club after Ann Budge steps down. Would appreciate a quick catch up on Hearts fans thoughts on this if possible.
===================================
As far as we know Ann Budge will not be stepping down in the immediate future. Personally, I expect her to stay on as Chairman or CEO or both, for another year.
I think most fans are comfortable with the proposed future structure, going by the overwhelming vote at the FOH AGM on the future governance arrangements for both FOH and the Club.
I am probably unrepresentative of the average fan in that I have expressed reservations about a number of governance issues, not least, the future structure of FOH re the ownership of the club, their membership model, no control over the future use of pledgers funds by the club, the lack of a cap on FOH's internal spending, a "hands off" relationship with the club rather than an arms length arrangement, the absence of a fans voice (FOH will not comment on football matters), a super majority voting requirement over key decisions like the sale of shares or Tynecastle. My concerns have largely been rejected by FOH's governance working party, but that was their choice and their recommendations have the support of a majority of the members.
Basically it will be business as usual for the club. FOH will retain their two places on the Club Board. The club will continue to operate independently of FOH, although welcoming the £1.4m in cash donations from FOH each year.
Ann Budge has surrounded herself by people she trusts or that she knows from her business days. It has proved to be both a strength and a weakness. She has certainly made a difference in the club's off field activities, but her excessive loyalty to Craig Levein has seen the club's on field performance deteriorate in successive years, from 3rd in 2016, to 5th, 6th, 6th and currently 11th. Those failings have resulted in a growing but vocal minority hoping that she will go sooner rather than later.
Once FOH takes over as majority shareholder, Ann Budge will retain a residual holding of approx 17.4%. I expect that she will use that stake to ensure that her interests are protected and that she will continue to influence the appointments to the Club Board once she finally steps down.
To date, FOH has handed over £9.45m since May 2014, made up of £2.4m to repay Ann Budge's loan, £1m to repay Ann Budge's professional costs and football creditors from the CVA, £3m towards the stadium redevelopment and £3.05M in working capital. All future funds raised will be spent at the discretion of the club and as such should be considered additional working capital.
It appears that the Morelos Sky Sports interview and the subtitles accompanying it were supplied by TRFC. Given the nature of the lies in the "mistranslation" and the attempt to smear ALL Scottish clubs with the charge of racism should there not now be a complaint to the SFA against TRFC for failing to act in good faith toward other clubs?
I believe there is a specific disciplinary section dealing with not acting in good faith toward other clubs and the penalties, if found guilty, can be severe. (JC will know more)
It's a serious charge but surely there comes a point when ALL clubs, not just Celtic, need to stand up to the bully and stop the game being dragged further into the gutter.
Celtic and Hamilton to face Scottish FA charge for not acting in 'orderly fashion'
53 minutes agoFrom the sectionScottish Premiership
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Alex Gogic and Leigh Griffiths clashed after the Celtic striker's tangle with Sam Woods
Alex Gogic and Leigh Griffiths clashed after the Celtic striker's tangle with Sam Woods
Celtic and Hamilton Academical will be charged by the Scottish FA for failing to act "in an orderly fashion" during Sunday's Scottish Premiership game.
It relates to a first-half incident when players from each team surrounded referee Nick Walsh after Leigh Griffiths stood on Accies' Sam Woods.
Celtic striker Griffiths and Hamilton defender Alex Gogic pushed each other after the challenge and were booked.
The clubs face a hearing at Hampden on 20 February.
Lennon backs Griffiths over challenge
'No debate Griffiths should have had red'
Celtic seven points clear after late goals
If found guilty, each could face a fine ranging from £2,500 to £20,000.
The clubs will be charged under disciplinary rule 204 which states players and staff must "conduct themselves in an orderly fashion at all times" and refrain from "confrontation" and "conduct likely to lead to or to exacerbate or prolong a hostile or argumentative situation".
Premiership leaders Celtic won the match 4-1 at Hamilton's Fountain of Youth Stadium, with Griffiths avoiding further punishment for his tangle with Woods, which happened when the game was goalless.
The Griffiths incident was referred by Scottish FA compliance offer Clare Whyte to a three-man panel of former referees, who did not agree it was a red-card offence.
Hamilton were later reduced to 10 men in the first half when Jamie Hamilton received a straight red for a last-man foul on Griffiths.
Bogs Dollox 5th February 2020 at 14:04
This. Without doubt, Bogs.
When Big Pink named this latest blog post I wonder if he knew just how prescient it was going to be! That these latest Ibrox mainly unsubstantiated claims/lies include all Scottish Premiership clubs (specifically at Celtic and Aberdeen) then all these clubs owe it to themselves, and their supporters, to insist on the most serious action being taken.
There can be absolutely no doubt that TRFC are trying to use racism to their own advantage. A disgusting action by any body, sporting or otherwise, but particularly so coming from one so steeped in its own particular brand of racism.
The question has to be asked; just how much can this club get away with? But they only get away with it because the media are 100% on their side, as the BBC has just proven.
Allyjambo 5th February 2020 at 12:22
Balance at BBC Scotland clearly means 'many more Rangers men present than all other clubs put together'.
—————————————————-
For every five men of honesty and integrity, we'll use ten unscrupulous revisionists???
tony 5th February 2020 at 14:20
—————————————–
Celtic has actually been cited on two similar charges, both of which will be heard on 20 February.
https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-fa/football-governance/disciplinary/disciplinary-updates/
Charge 1:
Match: Partick Thistle FC v Celtic FC Date: Saturday 18 January 2020 Competition: Scottish Cup
Charge 2:
Match: Hamilton Academical FC v Celtic FC Date: Sunday 2 February 2020 Competition: Scottish Premiership
easyjambo
It's just getting ridiculous now, if celtic win this league the 10 in a row season will be crazy, I'm not paranoid enough
https://twitter.com/maroonajambo/status/1225113798639603712?s=21
Quelle surpris
Allyjambo 4th February 2020 at 23:26
I have my doubts that Sky produced either the Morelos interview or the translation, the whole thing seems quite amateurish, and note that PMGB has heard that it was given to Sky by Morelos' agent.
—————————————————-
I have no idea who was involved either Ally…..Honest !
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EP9wnTaX4AMdWda?format=jpg&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EP9O3f6XkAYyyyV?format=jpg&name=small
(time-stamped tweets lifted from ETims.)
Sky Sports News@SkySportsNews
Sky Sports News apologises for inaccuracies in Alfredo Morelos interview and publishes full, verified transcript
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11927058/alfredo-morelos-apology-correction-and-full-transcript-of-sky-sports-news-interview
EasyJambo@19.03
I wonder if The Sun will also print this? I’m not holding my breath.
So Sky apologise to Celtic AND Rangers for the Morelos interview translation, but don't explain who provided it. NOT good enough and the platform for more unsubstantiated poison to be released may well still exist.
…. and so it continues
Herald & Times Sport@HandTsport
Michael Stewart dropped by BBC after slamming Rangers chief Jim Traynor
https://glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18213869.michael-stewart-dropped-bbc-jim-traynor-comments/
easyjambo
what a bitter wee shithole we live in
tony 5th February 2020 at 19:51
easyjambo what a bitter wee shithole we live in
======
Or,
what bitter wee sh!tes live in our country…
StevieBC
think there are more of them,or at least what they have seem to control the narrative
A bit OT
We spoke the other day about Ashley getting on board, and i was looking for something when i came across this.
https://twitter.com/ClusterOne2/status/1225182726640238593/photo/1
Sorry it’s a bit late in the run of the blog, but i just thought i may as well post incase anyone is keeping track.
Bogs Dollox 5th February 2020 at 14:04
'…I believe there is a specific disciplinary section dealing with not acting in good faith toward other clubs and the penalties, if found guilty, can be severe.'
++++++++++++++++
Yes, Bogs Dollox, there is:
Article 5.1 (b) of the Articles of Association of the SFA states
'All members shall be subject to and shall comply
(a) with these articles
(b) with the Judicial Panel protocol.'
Article 5.2 (f) states ' [all members shall] behave towards the SFA and other members with the utmost good faith'
And the Judicial Panel Protocol at Section 1.3 has 'Members and Associated Persons shall comply with the Disciplinary Rules'
and the very first Rule in the protocol , Rule 1(f) ' behave towards the Scottish FA and other members with the utmost good faith.'
If found guilty of breaching that Rule the penalty is
'£100,000 and/or ejection/exclusion from the Scottish Cup and/or any player registration restrictions and/or suspension and/or Termination of membership and/or any sanction or disposal not expressly provided above, provided that such other sanctions are sanctions listed in respect of Paragraph 11.5 of this Protocol.'
Hypothetically, would a Compliance Officer consider,say, that a malicious attempt by a PR creature hired by one SPFL club, to malign and blacken the good name of another club by arranging for a fable spouted by a player of the first club to be videoed and for the video to be sent to a TV broadcasting company,was in breach of Rule 1(f)?
I suspect that no rational person could view such a dirty trick as anything other than being in breach of Rule 1(f).
I also suspect that if such a dirty trick ever was perpetrated , it would be a brave Compliance Officer indeed who would raise a 'Complaint'.
I further suspect that any club on whom such a dirty trick had been played would also be ready to avoid taking action to have the club that employed the PR creature acting on its behalf cited in a complaint.
Particularly if it's a club that has already failed to denounce the dirty 5-Way agreement and has meekly accepted the possibility of having been ripped off a good few million quid by the club represented by the same PR creature!
easyJambo 5th February 2020 at 19:41
'..Michael Stewart dropped by BBC..'
+++++++++++++++++
I wonder will we see any of our SMSM people speaking up about 'freedom of speech' ?
No, I don't wonder at all: I know that they will all sit in dumb complicity as an honest man ,who tells it as it is ,is hung out to dry by a thoroughly rotten BBC Scotland administration, propagandists as that publicly funded organisation has been for lies and deceit for at least the last seven years.
Honest to God.! that we should be paying the defenders of lies and deceit housed in Pacific Quay!
John Clark 6th February 2020 at 00:09
===================
The Sportscene host, Kenny Macintyre, runs it like a Rangers fans Podcast in my view, and is a huge part of the problem. Have the BBC really changed since the days of 'Blue' Peter Thomson, who was once thrown out of Celtic Park by Jock Stein? Archie Macpherson has spoken often enough of the bias that existed. No doubt we were all paranoid then as well!
https://philmacgiollabhain.ie/2020/02/05/defending-the-incomprehensible/
The last paragraph sums up the whole sleazy mess that is the Scottish mainstream media.