From the TSFM Manifesto đ
A spectre is haunting Scottish Football â the spectre of Sporting Integrity. All the powers of the old firms have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this spectre: Billy and Dan, Blazer and Cassock, Record and Sun, Balance Sheet and P&L.
Where is the football fan in opposition to these that has not been decried as a “sporting integrity bampot” by his opponents in power?Two things result from this fact:
I. Sporting Integrity is already widely acknowledged to be itself a power for good.
II. It is high time that Lovers of Sport should openly, in the face of the whole world, publish their views, their aims, and meet this nursery tale of the Spectre of Sporting Integrity with a manifesto of fair play.
To this end, Lovers of Sport of various partisanship have assembled on TSFM and sketched their manifesto, to be published on tsfm.scot.
Those who love sport though are challenged not just by the taunts of the monosyllabic automatons in the MSM, but by the owners of our football clubs who have displayed an almost total disregard to our wish to have a fair competition played out in the spirit of friendly rivalry. In fact the clubs, who speak those fine words, are not nearly as outraged as we are by the damage done to the integrity of the sport in the past few years .
In fact the term Sporting Integrity has become, since the latter stages of the Rangers era, a term of abuse; a mocking soubriquet attached to those who want sport to be just that – sport.
Sporting integrity now lives in the same media pigeon-hole as words like Islam, left-wing, militant, Muslim – and a host of others; words which are threats to the established order now set up as in-jokes, in order to reduce the effectiveness of the idea.
In fact, a new terminology has evolved in the reporting of football by both club officials and The Succulent Lamb Chapel alike;
“.. Sporting Integrity but …”.
For example
“We all want sporting integrity, but finance is more important”
Says who exactly?
Stated in such a matter of fact way that the obvious question is headed off at the pass, it is sometimes difficult to re-frame the discussion – perhaps because crayon is so hard to erase?
This is the backdrop to The Scottish Football Monitor and the world in which we live. Often the levels of scrutiny employed by our contributors are far in excess of any scrutiny employed by the MSM. Indeed our ideas and theories are regularly plagiarised by those very same lazy journalists who lurk here, and cherry-pick material to suit their own agendas; regularly claiming exclusives for stories that TSFM and RTC before us had placed in the public domain weeks earlier.
This was going to lead into a discourse about the love of money versus the love of sport – of how the sacred cows of acquisitiveness, gate- retention and turnstile spinning is far more important to the heads of our football clubs (the Billys, Dans and Blazers of the intro) than maintaining the traditions of our sport.
However events of Friday 14th November have given me cause to leave that for another day. The biggest squirrel of all in this sorry saga has always been the sleight of hand employed instil a siege mentality in the Rangers fans. The press have time and again assisted people (with no love of football in general or Rangers in particular) to enrich themselves – legally or otherwise – and feed on the loyalty of Rangers fans.
A matter for Rangers fans may also be the identity of some of those who had their trust, but who also assisted the Whytes and Greens by their public statements of support.
Our contention has been that rules have been bent twisted or broken to accommodate those people, the real enemies of the Rangers fans – and fans everywhere.
Through our collective research and group-analysis of events, we have also wondered out loud about the legality of many aspects of the operating style of some of the main players in the affair. That suspicion has been shared most notably by Mark Daly and Alex Thompson, but crucially now appears to be shared by Law Enforcement.
I confess I am fed up with the self-styled “bampot” epithet. For the avoidance of doubt, the “bampots” in this affair are those who have greater resources than us, and access to the truth, but who have lacked either the will or the courage or the imagination to follow it through.
We are anything but bampots. Rather, we have demonstrated that the wisdom of the crowd is more effective by far than any remnants of wisdom in the press.
I have no doubt that the police investigation into this matter is proceeding in spite of great opposition in the MSM and the Scottish Football Authorities – all of whom conspired to expose Rangers to the custodianship of those for whom football is a foreign language.
I have no doubt that the constant exposition of wrong-doing on this blog, in particular the questions we have constantly raised, and anomalies we have pointed out, has assisted and enabled the law enforcement agencies in this process.
If we are to be consistent in this, our enabling of the authorities, we MUST show restraint at all times as this process is followed through. People who are charged with a crime deserve to be given a fair trial in the absence of rumour or innuendo. We must also, if we are to continue as the spectre which haunts the avaricious – and the real bampots – be seen to be better than they, and give them no cause to accuse us of irresponsibility.
This affair has now evolved way beyond one club gaining unfair advantage over others. For all the understandable Schadenfreude of many among us, the real enemy is not Rangers, it is about those who enabled and continue to enable the farce at Ibrox.
This is now about systematic cheating at the heart of the Scottish game (in the name of cash and in spite of lip service to sporting integrity), and how the greed of a bunch of ethically challenged officials allowed another group of ethically challenged businessmen free rein to enrich themselves at the expense of the fans.
Whether laws were broken or not, the players at Rangers have come and gone and are variables, but the malignant constant at the SFA and SPFL are still there. Last night, even after the news that four men had been arrested in connection with the takeover at Ibrox in 2011, they were gathered together at Celtic Park with their Irish counterparts, tucking into succulent lamb (perhaps) and fine wines, doing some back slapping, making jokes about the vulgarities of their fans, bragging about the ST money they have banked.
The revolution won’t be over until they are gone, and if they remain, it is Scottish Football that will be over.
John Clark says:
November 26, 2014 at 11:46 pm
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easyJambo says:
November 26, 2014 at 11:13 pm
â.The Record is reporting that SDM and Waldo will be called to give evidenc..â
ââââ
Iâm intrigued. Does the Crown office make public the names of persons cited to attend as witnesses in a trial for which no date has as yet been fixed?
I have just emailed the âCrown Office and Procurator Fiscal Serviceâto ask for a copy of the list of witnesses.
Not that I do not believe our Keef, of course.I just want a bit of paper containing the names of a , what do you call it, some kind of gallery or something
========================================
Good move John. Be v interesting to see the reply, wish Id thought of it.
Very rare poster here… but wanted to break cover for a few mins to say how sorry I am to hear of the passing of Arthur Montford. As kids in the school playground we would all mimic his commentary style as we kicked the ball around. It was all very affectionate, never nasty… we loved the guy.
My own little tale concerning Arthur took place when I was about 12 or 13. There was a European match being broadcast during the afternoon (I have no memory of the actual game itself unfortunately) so three of us fitba fans sneaked a radio into the classroom (double English, I do remember that bit), and with the volume down low we tried to follow the game. We were getting away with it until someone hit a ‘low trundler’ followed by ‘what a save’ at which my mate George started giggling. Which of course got me going too. Four of the belt each!!!
Arthur Montford… class act… RIP
If you read the article there’s more than a few “expect to be called” and “waiting to hear”. So not a witness list at all then, just a DR select 11.
Smugas says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:00 am
nailed it!
neepheid says:
November 26, 2014 at 11:20 pm
‘.. Do I hear tumbrils rolling in the distance? Or is that Whyte reprising his audio clips?’
———-
Yes.
When we remember that an accused may have recorded such things as the idle chat as men have a pee,or the conversations at a wee social do, we must be ready to believe that such an accused may outdo President Nixon in making sure that he had the goods on his enemies or potential enemies.
I rather suspect that witnesses called to give evidence against such a recording accused who, they have reason in plenty to believe, has a wee tape-recorded-discussion ‘grenade’ to hand to his brief, will not be at all happy at being called.
Because a witness in such a situation might very well find himself in the dock on a whole number of charges.
Let me express the hope that I would never miss a trial with such interesting possibilities.
Such an eventuality could arise, of course, if such a trial was scheduled for a period of time when I was out of the country.
That would bloody well annoy me!
Aye, they’re all reporting Craigy arrested in Mexico (attending Day of the Dead festivities?). Serious stuff, though slightly worrying for his physical safety. I’s have thought HE was the star witness.
One of them must surely be working with the authorities. If so, could it be Whyte? Jack Irvine must know a thing or two as well. Looks bad for the current mob too, in light of all this. Will anyone want to be seen benefitting from whatever went on, of which we know nothing obviously.
PS @aclydefan, what a great story. Heard the news about Arthur a few hours ago but it’s still keeping me awake. I’ve been led to believe there’s a night crew here who reminice about gravel pitches, leather mouldmasters, cold showers after winter matches, and so on. Was a nice piece on STV about him. It’s a tribute to him that we all have our unique memories via Scotsport and his commentaries. I thought he was quite dapper in his jaikets, bless him.
Trading in RIFC closed yesterday at 24p with someone trading 10 shares for the princely sum of 2 pounds and 40 pence.
What on earth is the point of that?
RayCharlez says: November 27, 2014 at 12:33 am
Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte arrested in swoop on Mexican bolthole http://t.co/OOYYELkAzKâ The Daily Record (@Daily_Record) November 27, 2014
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Mexico? !
…and here was me convinced that Sir Craigy Bhoy was holed up in the impenetrable Hampden bunker, playing dominoes with Ogilvie and Regan… đ
Hope he remembers to bring back ALL his audio recordings collection with him.
There was a long informative post about the mechanics of share trading earlier today Cygnus. Cleared a few things up.
How astonishing, that possibly the most lawless of all the benighted lawless countries in that benighted sub-continent should be so ready to co-operate in the arrest of an alleged, very minor ( compared to their own) criminal at the behest of the UK!
And how zealously our people have worked to trace and track this particular alleged criminal!
By geez, his alleged offence must really have got up their noses, that they should be so diligent in getting after him.
I personally think that the alleged crime of which the accused is accused pales into insignificance against the horrendous betrayal of Sporting Integrity by SDM.
Which, bad as it was, is as NOTHING compared to the contemptible sell-out of truth and honour by the very people charged with the duty of safe-guarding Sporting Integrity as being of the very essence of Scottish Football.
The internal affairs of RFC,RFC(IL), Sevco 5088,Sevco Scotland, Rangers 2012, TRFC, RIFC plc are of nothing other than entertainment interest.
Any one of perhaps dozens of low-life cheats may or may not be found out and dealt with, one way or another.
Largely irrelevant- compared to the rank rottenness at the very heart of of the governing bodies of Scottish Football.
A rottenness as rooted as the rottenness of Mexican politics.
In my opinion. Which, happily, I can express without fear of a Mexican knock at the door. At present, anyway.
aclydefan says:
November 26, 2014 at 11:56 pm
Arthur Montford⌠class act⌠RIP
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‘Class Act’ sums Arthur up perfectly. A true gentleman. May he rest in peace.
Danish Pastry says:
November 27, 2014 at 1:15 am
=================================
I remember reading the autobiography of a well known Scottish gangster. He said a a perceived crime against the establishment was treated the most seriously of all. Looks like he may have been right!
Multiple news reports this morning that Craig Whyte has been arrested in Mexico.
It will be interesting to see if and if so how far the SMSM spin Mr Whyte as a villain.
Long Time Lurker says:
November 27, 2014 at 7:18 am
It will be interesting to see if and if so how far the SMSM spin Mr Whyte as a villain.
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We can all have our own guesses at that. As an aside, I noticed the Daily Record headline does not have ‘Sir’ David Murray, just plain old David Murray. Deliberate or a lapse? Me personally I simply can’t stand the honours system at all, and the fact Murray has a Knighthood is a case in point. The official reason is for his services to Scottish business. There are two issues for me. Firstly, would he have got it without the Rangers connection and all that it brought him? Secondly, he has cost the taxpayer hundreds of millions in debt owed by his company that was written of by a state owned bank, so where is the business genius the Knighthood was for?
Jock Stein never needed people fawning over any ‘Sir’ to establish true greatness, but was never considered good enough for it by the establishment in any case. It all beggars belief at times.
Cygnus X2 says:
November 27, 2014 at 1:21 am
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Trading in RIFC closed yesterday at 24p with someone trading 10 shares for the princely sum of 2 pounds and 40 pence.
What on earth is the point of that?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have been wondering about this for weeks now
People ‘buying’ amounts of shares that, on the face of it, the costs of buying these shares, would probably be more than the cost of the shares !?
Maybe the A.I.M have an APP to keep tabs on who is buying and who is selling
(Thought not)
Agent Whyte found in Mexico
– I guess the use of taped recordings will not be allowed in UK courts !?
John Clark,
I very much hope you are available, along with our other esteemed ‘court reporters’, to provide your usual accurate report of what is said, and often how it’s said, by the witnesses and silks. I particularly look forward to comparing your, and other TSFMers’, reports with what is published by the SMSM, though I suspect that, now that they know they won’t get away, so easily, with their selective reporting, they will make greater efforts to print a truer picture. Who knows, they might actually realise that there is a much bigger story than the ‘Life and Times of the Notorious Craig Whyte’ to cover, and investigate, for themselves, how it came about that this pillar of the establishment fell into such a baddy’s hands. They need look no further than here, RTC, PMGB and the late PMcC blogs for a very good starting point as they are so far behind in the story. So far behind in every part of the ‘Rangers Story’!
easyJambo says:
November 26, 2014 at 11:13 pm
&&&&&
The DR’s copy looks like a straight lift from a PR agency. The PR agency will be working towards a brief from the person(s) currently paying it’s bills.
The really interesting (but deliberately ignored) aspects of this unfolding tale are:
Why is there no mention of the recordings (e.g. ‘you are sevco…’) and assorted documents already available on t’internet?
What of the, as yet unnamed, individual who was allegedly arrested in the police investigation into leaks from Ibrox?
Will the communications director be interviewed?
Will the PR agency get the knock?
Will whoever briefed the PR agency about the selection of witnesses by the Crown Office
Wouldn’t you just hate to be the only Gringo in a calabozo Mexicano?
Those carteles guys in there would do anything for a packet of fags and a couple of tamales.
Really hope he stays safe.
At least his tapes will be securely tucked away in his lawyer’s safe.
Still thinking that sphincters around Ibrox will be twitching good style at this news.
Danish Pastry says:
November 27, 2014 at 1:15 am
22 0 Rate This
PS @aclydefan, Iâve been led to believe thereâs a night crew here who reminice….
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“Night crew”…DP…? I wish â
My wife says I will have to wait until I retire (at 93 the way my pension is going backwards!) to be allowed up late to post, along with the likes of JC and others
Sad to hear of Athur M’s passing…”up go the heads”…hopefully in a better place. RIP
Witness List in Solemn Procedure cases.
I note some posters are wondering when a witness list will be made available and would comment: ‘Cool your jets’ đ
For obvious reasons the identity of any person on a witness list isn’t made public before they appear to give their evidence in open court and IIRC it is an office to identify them before this point.
An indictment must be served on an accused at least 29 days before the trial sitting begins. The indictment sets-out the charge, lists the witnesses and the trial productions. A list of any previous convictions is also provided.
Should it be discovered, after the service of the indictment, that further witnesses require to be called this can be done on submission of the relevant paperwork to the accused at least two days before the jury is sworn in.
The witness and production lists should also be made available to the accused’s defence.
There are some other more technical issues wrt witnesses which may or may not apply in any case although it’s worth noting the court can allow the later lodging of witness and production lists if it believes a case has been made for this.
So where does this take us in timescale? If the accused are on bail in a Solemn Procedure case then there is a 12 month time limit in which the trial must commence.
If an accused is in custody then the timetable changes and they must be served with the indictment within 80 days of full committal for trial. The 80 days can be extended but this is never a done deal unless good reasons can be shown for the extension.
We then have the next time limit which is 110 days from full committal and if a trial isn’t commenced within this time the accused wals free and cannot in future be brought back to face the original charges.
Of course if we have a trial where say one of the accused is refused bail – for whatever reason – but the others are granted it then the trial must begin within 110 days unless the prosecution decide to have two separate trials viz one within 110 days and one within 12 months.
I couldn’t possibly comment on why prosecutors might go down that road as it obviously would entail extra cost to the public purse.
For fellow anoraks there is a no-nonsense guide to Solemn Procedure prepared by Levy & McRae – yes we know it well. Seriously it’s a good guide I often use to refresh my memory.
http://www.lemac.co.uk/resources/guides/Solemn_procedure.htm
StevieBC says:
November 27, 2014 at 1:22 am
29 0 Rate This
RayCharlez says: November 27, 2014 at 12:33 am
Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte arrested in swoop on Mexican bolthole http://t.co/OOYYELkAzKâ The Daily Record (@Daily_Record) November 27, 2014
========================
Mexico? !
âŚand here was me convinced that Sir Craigy Bhoy was holed up in the impenetrable Hampden bunker, playing dominoes with Ogilvie and Regan⌠đ
Hope he remembers to bring back ALL his audio recordings collection with him.
=========================================================================
Stevie…bearing in mind that he is from a “tech savvy generation” :irony: I would bet that all his little electronic black books are well safe “in the cloud”…!
Allyjambo says:
November 27, 2014 at 8:50 am
I have previously cautioned against anyone reporting on the demeanour of a witness/accused or anyone else in any trial before a jury. That would be a clear contempt as it might well influence the jury.
All a reporter can do is actually report what is said in court before the jury and nothing about the various exchanges which take place when the jury is ‘sent-out’.
It’s also worth remembering that as well as only reporting what is said before the jury the actual report must be ‘balanced’ which – over a lengthy trial – can be very difficult to achieve especially when different journalists are involved in the coverage.
The big advantage a professional reporter usually has over someone with a personal interest or motive covering court proceedings is obviously that the professional is detached with usually no interest either way in whether an accused walks or is jailed.
The other important thing is that the professional court reporter usually doesn’t know the bigger picture and most certainly won’t be doing any off-piste investigations. He/she will have a general picture of bigger trials but not the detail and it’s the detail that can cause the problems.
Such is the road to professional suicide and possibly a taste of HM Pleasure. The professional court reporter is there to record what is said before the jury and nothing else matters and indeed knowing other extraneous information which might never be recounted in court can be very dangerous and can and has lead to trials being abandoned because that information has appeared publicly.
I know that John Clark is well aware of these pitfalls and is unlikely to fall into them. But highly experienced reporters can manage it so caution is the order of the day especially in a High Court jury trial – these are big stakes for everyone involved and the defence is always on the hunt for a mistake which might let their client walk.
It’s a world away from covering civil courts and tribunals where it’s a given you can’t influence a judge so you really have to be something else to get hauled up for any misdemeanours.
On the more mundane side because of the nature of this case staffers will be present for a few days and then disappear for the weeks that follow when the case will be covered by the court agency freelance journos. The staffers will pop-back now and again if something ‘juicy’ is thought to be coming-up.
But the in-between bit isn’t fully covered as the court agency has many other cases going on all of the time – they rely on getting the nod and the wink from prosecution, defence, and uncle Tom Cobley as to when something is coming-up. So lots of stuff can be missed not by design but simply because no one is there.
And possibly the biggest hurdle is most things that non-journos think are newsworthy simply ain’t. Possibly they might make hot news in a legal tome but they mean nothing to the general public.
I would also suggest that anyone who intends to cover and report these proceedings pay very careful attention to their personal security as they most likely will come to the attention of others in court batting for the opposition.
So be very careful about being engaged in casual conversation even with people who might appear to ‘belong’ to the court setting and tell them nothing. Just stick to the old mantra that you had seen the case in the paper and as you are retired/on the dole you thought it might be interesting and pass some time and of course you support Thistle.
Also be very carful when leaving the court that you ain’t followed especially if you head-off for a pint with a few others from here as you might pick-up a shadow. And getting into your car parked nearby – well you’d be as well just handing over your name and address.
Yip I’m paranoid – but it has kept me safe for a long time so as they say in all the best US telly cop shows: ‘Be safe out there’.
I would guess that the demand for seats in the public gallery for the fraud trial will be quite high and security will be a concern. Our esteemed court reporter may have difficulty in getting into the court. Is there anything that TSFM can do to obtain a Press pass or similar?
Perhaps the venue should be changed. Maybe to Hampden where the SFA could charge up to ÂŁ60 a ticket đ
I, too, fear for Craig Whyte’s safety.
Also agree that crimes against the Establishment are almost considered treasonable.
Take care, Craig.
Ecobhoy – it is rare I must pick you up on something, so I do so with a heavy heart.
It was the legendary Sgt Phil Esterhaus (played by Michael Conrad) in Hill Street Bules who used to finish the morning briefings with “Hey, let’s be careful out there”.
His replacement’s sign-off (Stan Yablonsky) was “Let’s do it to them beofre they to it to us”.
Whilst a valid stance, and one that might be useful on the mean streets of er “Hill” or indeed on the pitch of an SPFL Championship game based on last weeks OldHearts v NewGers game, that was the beginning of the end of that show…
Just read a comment referring to Keef “Radar” Jackson.
Radar in MASH. was so called because he always heard the incoming choppers with casualties before anyone else.
So both Radars were first with vital, potentially life saving information – NOT
ps for younger viewers, that’s MASH as in Mobile Army Surgical Hospital – not MASH Holdings
jockybhoy says:
November 27, 2014 at 11:08 am
Ecobhoy â it is rare I must pick you up on something, so I do so with a heavy heart.
It was the legendary Sgt Phil Esterhaus (played by Michael Conrad) in Hill Street Bules who used to finish the morning briefings with âHey, letâs be careful out thereâ.
————————————————————-
Age and its effect on memory is a terrible thing – at least that’s my excuse. I stand corrected đł
btw Craig’s arrest is making the national news south of the border (not down Mexico way). Mentioned on the hour/half hour headlines on Radio 4 and 5 Live this moriong.
Only a matter of time before some journalists realise there’s a cracking story to tell here and their producers are negligent in not telling them to move along. Who will get there first Dispatches, Panorama, Watchdog, Rogue Traders. My money is an a three hour Alex Thomson special – if he’s not busy in some war torn hell hole.
ecobhoy says:
November 27, 2014 at 10:38 am
You are, of course, correct about the care required when reporting witness statements and that anyone going along to this, and other, contentious cases should also take great care of their personal safety. I’m sure JC and others will be aware of this but it does no harm for you to remind them all.
On fears for personal safety:
I had my first ever encounter with TRFC supporters (more than one supporter) at the weekend, in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, when watching the Hearts’ game on Saturday. Quite an eye opener it was too, though not in the way I expected.
My wife felt quite intimidated, more so than she’s ever felt watching a match in a pub (that includes plenty of Manchester Derbies in our mainly United pub but with plenty City supporters always present) but it passed off without even an inclination they were aware of my presence, even after my, for me, quite muted celebrations, but she did notice the atmosphere – though I couldn’t describe it but we’ve all felt it, I’m sure.
There was, instead of the usual intimidatory chants and swagger, a sense of resigned indifference more than anger about their defeat, and, though I spoke to none of them, my impression was that many of them weren’t as enthusiastic as they were for the team they’d supported as kids.
I’m very happy to say that there was no shouts of a sectarian nature at all, which perhaps vindicated my decision to watch the game in a ‘Celtic’ bar as I reckoned any bear who would enter the place would be of a generally good nature.
Anyway, my main point is that these TRFC supporters, more than a dozen in separate small groups, accepted defeat with an indifference that I doubt they ever would have shown towards a RFC defeat and, despite having sensed from reports on here that it was the case, it was still a bit of an eye-opener.
I can’t say I heard anything said about McCoist but they do seem to dislike Nicky Law for some reason, reserving their one outburst of real anger for his rather pathetic dive.
easyJambo says:
November 27, 2014 at 10:55 am
I would guess that the demand for seats in the public gallery for the fraud trial will be quite high and security will be a concern. Our esteemed court reporter may have difficulty in getting into the court. Is there anything that TSFM can do to obtain a Press pass or similar?
==================================================================
Afaik NUJ press passes are issued to individual NUJ members and I don’t know of any pass that could be issued to TSFM which would provide any privileges beyond those held by a member of the public although perhaps Phil might be aware of such a mechanism.
Tbh court officials tend to look after journos they know and a stranger with a pass wouldn’t necessarily cut any ice with them.
Possible accommodation problems will depend on the trial venue. It’s always more difficult when there’s a jury because they occupy the jury box which is often where accredited journos head for in non-jury trials because it’s in the court well and acoustics are usually OK and you’re close to the main players.
Most courts have very little accommodation for journos usually in a corner with just space for one or two seats and the odd one has the luxury of a tiny table.
The big problem about not being in the court well is the difficulty in directly accessing documents and the defence/prosecution etc and actually hearing what’s being said if you’re in the cheap seats. Justice can be deaf as well as blind.
When The Rangers Tax Case blog appeared nearly four years ago there could have been little conception that a number of years later some of the characters that were to grace RTCâs dialogue would be subject to criminal proceedings.
I came across a brief critique of novelist Graham Greeneâs work recently where it was noted how fortuitously Greene had found himself to be in situ prior to revolutions in Haiti and Cuba. This provided him with a unique perspective which no doubt contributed to the success of his work.
Providence in some way has a hand in all outcomes. That devotees of RTC and TSFM should have âbackgroundâ in the events that may be gone into during the upcoming criminal proceedings need not place us at a disadvantage. In many ways we may be better able to judge and balance information that arises from the proceedings. Any newspaper headline produced as a result might not immediately be taken at face value and reacted to instinctively. I suspect there will be guarded remarks here that steer any careful conversation in a productive direction.
It may indeed be difficult to report proceedings independently on TSFM. As Ecobhoy points out, there are potential pitfalls. However these restrictions apply only for the duration of the trial. Should a constant stream of TSFMâers find themselves in occasional attendance then there may be sufficient mental record of events to reconstruct a fruitful discourse after the trialâs completion. The advantage of having prior knowledge is that new information finds a convenient residence in the human memory. The broad outline and many details of the case might be reconstructed after the event.
This has been the pattern of this blog so far. It is likely that this modus operandi will continue and develop.
Walter and David as key witnesses. I’d pay good money to see an ambitious young QC get her teeth into that cooss-examination. She’ll make them look like Dickensian Mill owners blythely dismissing the death of one of their orphan child labourers.
There is still no official announcement of the RIFC PLC AGM.
The notice period/manner of notice is covered by SS307-311 CA2006.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/contents
It seems reasonable to conclude that the unusual delay is due to a problem with the auditors signing off the accounts. The following two links go to the relevant ISAs on going concern and audit objectives and they may clarify the situation somewhat.
https://frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Publications/APB/ISA-570-Going-concern.pdf
https://www.frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Publications/APB/ISA-200-Overall-objectives-of-the-independent-audi.pdf
Given the recent legal activity re the CW purchase of RFC PLC from (S)DM, and the other parties arrested and charged as part of that legal process, is there now a fundamental uncertainty over the legitimacy of the title to fixed assets within the subsidiary, which would make it impossible to make an unqualified statement that going concern is appropriate? The timescale of the legal process makes it impossible to obtain definitive evidence that would give sufficient comfort.
The 2013 RIFC PLC financial statements carried an Emphasis of Matter statement in the auditor’s report that mentioned a long Contingent Liabilities note in the accounts. That note referred to the Pinsent Masons report and the EA/CW/Sevco 5088 Ltd claim to the assets.
http://www.rangers.co.uk/images/staticcontent/documents/AnnualReport2013.pdf see pages 20 and 45/46
It now seems that the Sevco 5088 Ltd claim may in itself relate to a fraudulent transaction, so if we do see any 2014 financial statements published this year, the equivalent pages will be fascinating to say the least.
mcfc says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:11 pm
btw Craigâs arrest is making the national news south of the border (not down Mexico way). Mentioned on the hour/half hour headlines on Radio 4 and 5 Live this moriong.
Only a matter of time before some journalists realise thereâs a cracking story to tell here and their producers are negligent in not telling them to move along. Who will get there first Dispatches, Panorama, Watchdog, Rogue Traders. My money is an a three hour Alex Thomson special â if heâs not busy in some war torn hell hole.
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The prize is to be first there with CW giving an exclusive interview behind bars and possibly even playing some snippets from a fresh tape.
I really can’t see him resisting the opportunity. I’ll be really disappointed if he’s in a modern jail and not in one taken from a Mexican movie with a gun-totin, bandoliered federale smoking a cigar looking like Pancho Villa complete with trademark hat.
What a cracker – I might even forego my pre-match pint or two to see if it’s on the tea-time news đ
The Cat NR1 says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:23 pm
if we do see any 2014 financial statements published this year, the equivalent pages will be fascinating to say the least.
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It poses an interesting question over whether statements on the pages could be prejudicial to any forthcoming criminal proceedings.
Even stating that a full statement can’t be made because of the possibility of legal proceedings – given that four individuals have already been charged and a warrant has been issued for another – in itself creates a possible problem IMO.
Deloittes must be cursing the day they ever got involved in the whole mess, Still I suppose it probably looked OK – a brand new club with no difficult ‘history’ – what could be simpler đ
Ref the court proceedings.
All we need is one decent reporter to report what was actually said whilst remaining within the confines of legal rules.
Not what he wanted said. Not what his interpretation was of what was said. Not what Jack Irvine said was supposed to have been said but wasn’t. And definitely not what Jack Irvine said in advance was going to be said (no doubt whilst wearing a black hat, in preparation).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/11257795/Newcastle-and-Rangers-will-not-be-able-to-play-in-Europe-together-next-season-because-of-Mike-Ashley.html
Uefa have told Telegraph Sport that means Ashley has enough power in the Rangers boardroom to ensure they cannot be allowed to play in Europe at the same time as Newcastle.
Should one team qualify for the Champions League, the other would be prevented from playing in the Europa League as they could meet in the knockout phase of the competition.
If both teams qualify for the same competition, the one with the higher Uefa co-efficient ranking would be allowed to enter at the expense of the other. As things stand, Newcastle are ranked 65 and Rangers are down at 101.
In the short term, it is Rangers who will suffer as they have the lower ranking. In the long term, Rangers have a far greater chance of playing in the Champions League than Newcastle, which would mean the Magpies would not be allowed to compete in the Europa League, even if they won a domestic cup competition or finished fifth or sixth in the Premier League.
The idea that Newcastle will also be denied access to European competitions once Rangers have regained their former status in Scotland will incense many on Tyneside.
Both Rangers and Newcastle responded with a âno commentâ when asked by Telegraph Sport for a reaction to Uefaâs stance.
ecobhoy says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:24 pm
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Did Craig go to Mexico on the run, or just for a bit of sun, sand and sex. Either way, he’ll probably be getting sun, sand and sex sharing a cell with some hairy arsed, drug dealing oso.
lol – if you search on “oso” on google you get:
Special Agent Oso – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Agent_Oso
His name ‘oso’ is Spanish for ‘bear’. He and his friends work for U.N.I.Q.U.E. (The United Network for the Investigation of Quite Usual Events). The show was …
“”
Oso – honest – try it
I have tweeted the writer of said piece re words like “regain”
Was there not also a problem that the RFC shown in the rankings at 101 wasn’t TRFC or did we ever get to the bottom of that one?
andygraham.66 says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Now it’s in a newspaper so I won’t take it as verbatim, but, assuming it’s accurate, and UEFA do see Ashley’s connection to TRFC as relevant, I wonder how long the SFA can put off taking positive (in terms of doing the right thing) action and, at least, making public their plans to ensure the integrity (ha) of Scottish football is maintained. The very fact that both UEFA and the SPFL have rules to prevent the ownership of two clubs shows that they both envisaged problems in the event that it should happen and, if it’s correct that UEFA see the current situation as a conflict, then surely the SFA, and SPFL, should see it similarly. It is time to take action, even if there are fears of the possible consequences. Only TRFC are to blame for the position they find themselves in, how much deeper must the mess be allowed to get before the SFA face up to what must be done?
And the mess is only going to get worse, as it has done from day one!
Smugas says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:49 pm
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Was there not also a problem that the RFC shown in the rankings at 101 wasnât TRFC or did we ever get to the bottom of that one?
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That is Rangers FC ( AKA RFC(IL)) at 101 as their points erode over the years down to zero. They still retain residual points from the Resolution 12 season, and possibly more.
TRFC (AKA Sevco Scotland Ltd) would have the same ranking as any Scottish club that has never played a European game. Presumably, they would get a basic ranking based on the Scottish coefficient, in the same way that Hull City were given a higher ranking thaan Aberdeen, despite it being their first ever European season.
Castofthousands says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Good observations. Once the verdict’s reached then there’s no problem in commenting even before sentencing.
What a regular TSFM reader attending the trial will be able to spot is a whole lot of things which are the missing pieces of the jigsaw which often emerge accidentally in the answers of witnesses and might not mean much in the wider context of a trial to anyone except us anoraks.
The information might be useless or irrelevant in terms of proving guilt or innocence wrt the charges faced by an accused. But it could produce vital links to complete the narrative.
For me the sentences which may or may not be handed-out mean little compared to the value of knowing the ‘history’ of what happened.
That IMO takes us beyond the simple punishment demanded from those who break the law and takes us to the more fertile ground in terms of Scottish Football as to what those responsible for governance did or didn’t know and what they did or didn’t do with that information.
It’s the ultimate prize in my book and could lead, not only to an overdue cleansing of Hampden, but a never-forgotten reminder to those who follow of maintaining sporting integrity – without fear or favour – enforcing the rules and providing supporters with transparency over the decision-making process.
Allyjambo says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:56 pm
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andygraham.66 says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Now itâs in a newspaper so I wonât take it as verbatim, but, assuming itâs accurate, and UEFA do see Ashleyâs connection to TRFC as relevant, I wonder how long the SFA can put off taking positive (in terms of doing the right thing) action and, at least, making public their plans to ensure the integrity (ha) of Scottish football is maintained. The very fact that both UEFA and the SPFL have rules to prevent the ownership of two clubs shows that they both envisaged problems in the event that it should happen and, if itâs correct that UEFA see the current situation as a conflict, then surely the SFA, and SPFL, should see it similarly. It is time to take action, even if there are fears of the possible consequences. Only TRFC are to blame for the position they find themselves in, how much deeper must the mess be allowed to get before the SFA face up to what must be done?
And the mess is only going to get worse, as it has done from day one
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Ally
I though Regan was on the case?
Isn’t he on record as saying something along the lines of that the SFA have asked Mike Ashley if his secretary will ring up the SFA to arrange a suitable time so that they can discuss the possibility about making an appointment to have a preliminary meeting to look into the prospects of there being a discussion as to whether they should have a meeting to consider if it was appropriate for there to be at some mutually agreeable time some time hence talks about Mike Ashley’s relationship with RIFC PLC?
Of course they would then need to consider whether MA’s involvement with the RIFC PLC holding company has an impact on the running of TRFC Ltd (the football club). That may require a further meeting, of course.
:irony: :irony: :irony:
jean7brodie says:
November 25, 2014 at 9:14 pm
weeman says:
November 25, 2014 at 9:00 pm
What would those critical of his answers have wanted him to say to those queries?
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Tell them to get them to FfffffffffffffffffffffâŚ.rance?
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A very amusing and intriguing reply. Imagine if it happened.
I would particularly enjoy the MSM trying to ramp up the nouveau Auld Firme rivalry between PSG and PRG (Paris Rangers sans Glasgow).
The big question though would be what time would the Supportersâ Buses leave from Ayrshire, Fife and Lanarkshire?
Smugas says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:49 pm
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Was there not also a problem that the RFC shown in the rankings at 101 wasnât TRFC or did we ever get to the bottom of that one?
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As a wise Bear comments on another forum the bigger problem is that currently they can’t beat Alloa over two legs. đ
Re: Arthur Montford R.I.P.
For me, Arthur’s finest exclamation, and the one which is still occasionally revived by some current commentators (none of whom can hold a candle to The Man, by the way) was “What a stramash!”
I know that there was some discussion recently on here about the appropriateness of some of the minute’s silences/applause at Scottish football grounds, but surely no one is more deserving of a display of respect from all connected with the game in Scotland than Arthur Montford.
Desperational
All this media noise about Hearts, we’re not afraid of Hearts, we can beat Hearts, we’re better than Hearts
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Scottish+Championship/Rangers
It just underlines the utter lack of class of Mr McCoist. Even more so because he clearly thinks he’s being inspirational and confrontational when he’s only showing that heâs desperational (if that’s not a word, then it should be)
Smugas says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Ref the court proceedings.
All we need is one decent reporter to report what was actually said whilst remaining within the confines of legal rules.
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A possible 3/4 week trial sitting in open court surrounded by other punters and a lot of background noise and distraction is quite a strain and I wouldn’t expect one person to take on such a task.
I don’t even know if there is one poster/reader who has shorthand. I have watched journos being carpeted for something which has been published and is the subject of a complaint more usually from the defence QC than the prosecution.
The journo is asked on what basis his report was written and there is only one right answer viz his shorthand record which he is asked to read. The court transcript is then read and some debate as to whether the seriousness of the breach is enough for the jury to be discharged.
Even if not the question of the penalty to be imposed is usually adjourned until after completion of the trial. All in all not an uplifting experience and possibly a career ender.
And journos seldon report verbatim except in very important points or lurid evidence. Most of their skill is to provide a balanced and accurate synopsis of the day’s proceedings and if they do that then their report by and large has qualified privilege. And they are therefor safe to fight another day at the coal face đ
At the end of the day I’m sure TSFM posters will acquit themselves admirably and collectively help form an important insight into the larger picture way beyond those standing in the dock.
ecobhoy says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:34 pm
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The Cat NR1 says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:23 pm
if we do see any 2014 financial statements published this year, the equivalent pages will be fascinating to say the least.
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It poses an interesting question over whether statements on the pages could be prejudicial to any forthcoming criminal proceedings.
Even stating that a full statement canât be made because of the possibility of legal proceedings â given that four individuals have already been charged and a warrant has been issued for another â in itself creates a possible problem IMO.
Deloittes must be cursing the day they ever got involved in the whole mess, Still I suppose it probably looked OK â a brand new club with no difficult âhistoryâ â what could be simpler đ
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That’s an interesting point.
The 2013 accounts made specific reference to EA/CW/Sevco 5088, although that was in respect of the LBC. The reference to the Pinsent Masons report in the directors’ report was probably superfluous.
Will they get through the cashflow and ongoing trading losses issues when considering going concern, so that the asset situation becomes the key factor and disclosure needs to be considered?
If so, what disclosures would be required regarding the uncertainty over the assets title?
It looks like a minefield to me and I concur fully with your comment about Deloittes. To be honest, I’m surprised that they didn’t resign after finding out about the disappearing loan facility that enabled the directors to convince them that going concern was applicable last year. To be fair though, the group did manage to carry on as a going concern for twelve months after the directors signed the accounts on 28/09/2013.
[A bit of fun.]
Own up !
Which genius Bampot tried to entice the pathetic SMSM ‘churnalists’ to leave planet earth… ?
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-30210230
Mike Ashley must be wondering how close he’ll get to the witness stand. IIRC he was one of Green’s early investors in the Sevco resurrection project, with the retail agreement. For a smart, media-wary guy, I’d guess he’s currently more likely to take a step away from RIFC than step deeper into the story – not even considering the impact on the provenance of what he thinks he’s bought fromGreen and co.
Apologies Eco, you misunderstand me. What I was trying to say is that (the royal) we don’t need 100’s of competing journo’s, afficianado’s and bloggers in the limited court space. We just need one, whether sourced from here or wherever who will simply tell us (legally) what was said. I have every faith in the ability of this blog to fill in the blanks. Occasional speculation yes, occasional drifts towards wannabe outcomes yes, but collectively, not usually a million miles off the truth within about an hour of the material coming to hand (and that’s allowing us a half hour for a sandwich) đ
Photo of Arthur Montford & Archie MacPherson playing keepie uppie on Hampden’s turf:
https://twitter.com/MartynMcL/status/537714813942894592
StevieBC says:
November 25, 2014 at 9:18 pm
weeman says:
November 25, 2014 at 9:00 pm
ââŚRegan [sic] was pretty open and transparentâŚâ
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Not biting.
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You are absolutely correct to be suspicious of posters whose provenance you are uncertain of.
Better to have expressed suspicion and be wrong than never have expressed suspicion at all.
No offence taken. Happy Troll hunting!
P. S. I have sent you a PM.
ecobhoy says:
November 27, 2014 at 12:16 pm
3 0 Rate This
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Afaik NUJ press passes are issued to individual NUJ members and I donât know of any pass that could be issued to TSFM which would provide any privileges beyond those held by a member of the public although perhaps Phil might be aware of such a mechanism.
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Yes. The NUJ issues the Press Card to a union member in good standing (ie subs paid up and eligible for membership).
There is a criteria for membership and it mainly involves the proportion of your income that comes from journalism.
On the back of the PC it states that it is recognized by the emergency services, police etc.
I really don’t see the problem with one person owning two clubs. In a world where a national team manager suggests manipulation of leagues is necessary to favour a certain club, anything obviously goes.
According to the BBC, “The Crown Office will now examine the extradition treaty with Mexico and establish the legal basis for extraditing Mr Whyte unless he waives his right and agrees to the extradition.”
Whyte has been arrested but, given the problems that seem to frequently affect extradition requests, it still isn’t assured that extradition will take place. Of course, Mr Whyte has said that he will return to the UK in due course, hasn’t he! So, will he wait for compulsory extradition or simply request repatriation? Any thoughts, folks?
With regard to “star witnesses”, I would just comment that, in the witness box, under oath, is the loneliest place in th world.
Anyone any idea when the ibrox 4 trial will start roughly and how long it will last .Thanks
Any SMSM journalist got a reaction from Ashley on recent events: arrests, charges, extradition proceeding ?
Thought not, judging by Ashley’s non-response to Milibandâs very public zero-hours attack, we’ll know what Mike plans for The Rangers sometime after it is done, when it suits him: So roll up, roll up and place your bets:
Evens- Walking Away Without Comment
5-1 â The Moneyâs Spent, Whereâs My Deeds
6-1 â I Really Really Tried But I Just Canât Make It Work
10-1 – Radio Silence Forever
25-1 – I Would Do Anything for Love But I Won’t Do That
50-1 – No News Is Good News
66-1 â Happy Days Are Here Again
100-1 – Writing a Twelve Million Quid Cheque
Non Runner – Regan Acts Decisively
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oddjob says:
November 27, 2014 at 2:38 pm
With regard to âstar witnessesâ, I would just comment that, in the witness box, under oath, is the loneliest place in th world.
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A good friend tells the story of how he was made to feel like a silly little boy who’d wet himself in the witness box. Despite being an experienced, streetwise, very smart, court-trained, well qualified, well respected forensic scientist, a charming QC bigged him up as the expert witness and then spun on his heals and pole axed him square between the eyes with a single question. In his own words “I just didn’t see the bus”.
Don’t forget your rubber pants Ally, Walter, David, Craig, Charles . . . .
@mcfc
Wot, no odds on Stuart R. acting decisively? Well, shockarooney.
@ProHibby
You’d think he might as well get out of there pronto, unless he’s left his USB sticks in the gents.
Call me Mr Cynical but the very naughty thought occurred to me that the surprising timing and suddenness of the CW arrest story was just the thing to fill the papers on a politically sensitive day. Something to occupy the Jocks’ minds. Auch aye the noo.
But that thought was unworthy and I chose to believe instead the establishment’s whiter-than-whyte motives on all affairs of state.
I have been more than faintly amused at the list of ‘star’ witnesses seemingly desperate to tell the world that they are apparently wits and not something else.
And some are apparently even waving a piece of paper from the Crown Office to confirm their witness status.
IMO some Z List celebrities may be having a rush of blood to the head and could end-up denied of their moment of fame as I assume they have been told they might be precognosed.
A Precognition is a face to face interview of a potential witness at a forthcoming criminal trial and is carried out to evaluate the evidence a witness might give at a trial while under oath. Obviously to determine whether it is worth calling the person as a witness.
The process can be carried out by precognition officers/agents acting for the Crown or Defence and indeed in Scotland – with no right to disclosure of the Crown case – both sides routinely precognose the same potential witness.
A petition warrant allows a procurator fiscal to call on potential witnesses to attend and be precognosed. There is also a mechanism to have a potential witness precognosed on oath before a Sheriff.
This can be used if deemed to be in the public interest and the main difference in going down this route is that the statement made under oath can be treated as evidence at any subsequent trial.
A precognition statement – not given under oath – isn’t capable of being used as evidence at a criminal trial.
As the net closes around Whytey, the noose tightens around Ally …
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/so-long-farewell-auf-wiedersehen-goodbye/
ecobhoy says:
November 27, 2014 at 3:26 pm
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Yeah – think I remember reading something along those lines in the Daily Record or Scotsman – NOT đ
If we are talking about the Ibrox 4 excluding the Mexico 1 then the trial can start anytime within 12 months from their first appearance at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
It will be a while before a more accurate date can be estimated.
STV News â@STVNews ¡ 36s37 seconds ago
Breaking: Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte held by police on arrival at Heathrow from Mexico http://news.stv.tv/west-central/301300-rangers-craig-whyte-arrives-uk-after-detained-by-police-in-mexico/ âŚ
Thanks for that EJ – I guess he jumped before he was pushed. No doubt he could have made a fight of it, if he had wished. Cannot help but think he really has heavy stuff up his sleeves.
James Forrest says:
November 27, 2014 at 3:30 pm
As the net closes around Whytey, the noose tightens around Ally âŚ
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/so-long-farewell-auf-wiedersehen-goodbye/
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nicely crafted and spot on. Will the battle with Ashley over keeping/selling McLeod provide a suitable face-saving smoke screen for an honourable promenade ?
EasyJambo says:
November 27, 2014 at 3:48 pm
STV News â@STVNews ¡ 36s37 seconds ago
Breaking: Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte held by police on arrival at Heathrow from Mexico http://news.stv.tv/west-central/301300-rangers-craig-whyte-arrives-uk-after-detained-by-police-in-mexico/ âŚ
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Wise move Craigie â
parttimearab says:
November 25, 2014 at 9:27 pm
I have now watched Stewart Reganâs interview 4 times and think that the reaction to it on here is extreme.
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Hats off for expressing what will probably be an unpopular view on hereâŚimo we could do with a little more of thatâŚyou can borrow my tinfoil lined tin hat if you likeâŚ
However if the SFA âwill not allow Dual Interests in Clubsâ then the conversation with Mr Ashley and his legal representatives should have been rather short and possibly not very sweet.
Presumably it didnât occur to them that there are more ways to exert control over a business other than holding shares.
Sadly I think the expression âtoo big to failâ still echoes round the board table at Hampden.
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No need as I have a feeling that it would be constantly being exchanged â I will get my own tin hat.
As I initially stated my primary focus is in not allowing Dual Interests in Clubs. If Rangers are allowed to become a satellite club of Newcastle then that will open the door for other such takeovers and could destroy the independence of a few of the smaller SPFL Premiership teams.
Within Article 13; then it is clear that Ashley had prior written consent to increase his shareholding above 3% and a limit was set at 10%. It is also clear that he has very possibly breached Article 13 on both influence and management and that is what the SFA are trying to establish. So I agree with you but in the future tense â âthe conversation with Mr Ashley and his legal representatives should be rather short and possibly not very sweet.â
Even sadder, I think the expression âtoo big to failâ still echoes round the majority of board tables of the SPFL Clubs around the country.